From playing Dr Asthana and Lucky Singh in the Munna Bhai series, and Vardhaan in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Don films, to portraying the cynical yet hilarious Batuk Patel in the Housefull movies, actor Boman Irani is someone who plays all roles effortlessly.
His first film this year is Total Dhamaal that is set to release in the last week of February. Boman plays the role of a don in this multistarrer that also features Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffery, Anil Kapoor, and Madhuri Dixit among others. The film is yet to hit theatres, but Boman has been basking in the limelight for another reason. The actor recently launched his own production company, Irani Movietone, in Mumbai.
Crafting stories
When asked if opening a production house was a natural progression for the actor who has been in the industry since 2001, Boman says, “I always harboured ambitions of becoming a writer and director. This production house is a by-product of this feeling. It’s my interest to learn and pursue the craft of writing and directing that has led me to start Irani Movietone.” Instead of a launch party, the actor hosted a writing workshop with his friend, Academy Award-winning screenwriter (for Birdman) Alexander Dinelaris Jr, for aspiring writers. Writing, the actor believes, is an intense process and an exacting craft (particularly in cinema). He also feels that acting is processdriven.
Whether playing a comic role, a negative role or just a character-driven part, Boman says there is a way to approach every role. “As an actor, you need to discover the theme. What does the character want? What is his endeavour? It’s not about how the character walks or talks, all these are external addons to the role. Understanding what the character wants — that’s the be-all and end-all of the journey,” he explains.
Going crazy
Next, Boman is looking forward to the release of Total Dhamaal. It’s the third film in the Dhamaal series by filmmaker Indra Kumar. The cast is larger and Boman will once again play one of the key roles. “It’s a funny and wonderfully crazy film that will entertain you. As in all Dhamaal films, in this one too, the plot revolves around hidden treasure.
What I really enjoyed is working with Ajay Devgn because this is the first time I have scenes with him in a film. Otherwise, it was good to get back with old friends Arshad and Javed,” says the actor who is in the process of announcing his home production. Until that happens, Boman is looking forward to his other releases this year, Drive, Made in China and a biopic on PM Modi.
ayeshatabassum@newindian express.com
@aishatax