- Monday, March 10, 2025
Irani has had a diverse career that included working as a waiter, doing photography, and running his mother’s bakery before becoming an actor
By: India Weekly
ACTOR Boman Irani says turning director at 65 is not a “big deal” as there is no fixed timeline for pursuing one’s aspirations.
With “The Mehta Boys”, his first directorial venture, he emphasises the importance of embracing desires irrespective of age.
“Since childhood, I always thought that someday I was going to be a director,” Irani said in an interview with PTI.
“I don’t understand this stereotype that a person becomes an actor at 25 and a director at 35. I don’t let other people decide my diary and timeline, I’ll do it when I’m ready.”
Best known for his performances in films such as “Lage Raho Munnabhai”, “3 Idiots”, “Don”, and “Dunki”, Irani has had a diverse career that included working as a waiter, doing photography, and running his mother’s bakery before becoming an actor.
He believes in doing what he enjoys, whether acting, writing, or directing.
“If you don’t have a great ‘want’, you don’t have a story to tell. I don’t look at it that I’m 65. I do what I want to and I do what I enjoy,” he said.
His directorial debut, “The Mehta Boys”, explores family relationships and the complexities of a father-son bond.
The story was developed over eight years, with input from filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh and Academy Award-winning writer Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman).
Irani credits his friends and mentors, including Rajkumar Hirani and Ram Madhvani, for their support during the film’s development.
The film stars Irani as the father, Avinash Tiwary as his son, Shreya Chaudhry as Tiwary’s girlfriend, and Puja Sarup as Irani’s daughter.
The narrative focuses on the evolving dynamics between the father and son, with themes of identity, masculinity, and ego playing a central role.
Produced under Irani Movietone LLP in association with Chalkboard Entertainment LLP, “The Mehta Boys” seeks to resonate with audiences beyond the father-son relationship, reflecting broader themes of human connection and personal transformation.
