DON’T REGRET FILMS I’VE DONE FOR FRIENDSHIP

Boman Irani says he was aware the outcome of these films may or may not be good

Change is the only constant — we’ve heard this umpteen times about life. The same applies to one’s professional life as well. But for actor Boman Irani, who has starred in commercial and critical hits such as Munnabhai films, 3 Idiots (2009) among others, the same doesn’t apply to his rule of choosing a film.

The 59-year-old, who was recently seen in Made in China, reveals that his method of choosing a film hasn’t changed in the past 18 years. “It’s the same. There are times when I made a decision based on... apart from the fact that I wanted to have a good journey, enjoy the process, or the film had something to say. If the film has nothing to say, and the person making it is clear about just wanting to entertain, I am okay with that too. I love a good entertainer,” Boman adds, “At the same time, some films that say something [concrete] don’t necessarily turn out to be good. The director should know exactly what he wants to say and why.”

Doing films on a friend’s request is also something that Boman has done at some point. Does he regret any of them, in the sense that some might not have turned out well? “No,” he promptly says, and continues, “I knew the reason why I was doing it very clearly. Why regret it then? I knew the outcome may or may not be good. I was doing it to support… I knew what I am doing it for!”

The actor, who is “giving finishing touches” to his own film script would next be seen in Kabir Khan’s film on India’s 1983 Cricket World Cup victory and the

excitement is palpable in his voice. “I was all ready to sign a cheque, for them to let me do the film!” he chuckles, “It was such a good experience shooting at Lords, doing the commentary about that match. For a moment, it made me feel I was really there. The images of the balcony, where (former cricketer) Kapil Dev raised the trophy, that euphoria, I felt history was recreated. I was like a fly on the wall there. It was a privilege for anyone who was there, working on the film behind the scenes. It was extremely emotional.”

If the film has nothing to say, and the person making it is clear about just wanting to entertain, I am okay with that, too. I love a good entertainer.

BOMAN IRANI ACTOR