Hyderabad: Be it as Virus in 3 Idiots or the more recent Tammy in Happy New Year, Boman Irani has always managed to swiftly switch from one role to another in his movie career. And now, he has donned another role — that of the style blender for the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour. Dressed in a subtle blue suit with a crisp white shirt, he certainly looked every bit of a style blender. He refuses to sit, saying he gets tired of it, as we ask him, isn’t he an unconventional person to be associated with a fashion tour?
“Of course I am. But that’s what we are trying to do — to say that fashion is not just for a particular age or person. Fashion is for all, to be comfortable in what they are.” What is Boman’s style? “I like to believe I have my own identity which is not outlandish. My sense of style emanates from being presentable and respectful to the environment I am in. I will never turn up for say a fashion show in jeans or t-shirt; that will mean being disrespectful. I believe that style emanates from a person’s individuality. So even if I have a stylist for a film, I always have the last say,” he says.
“I had never flown abroad till I was 35, I learnt things by observing others and following style-related advice. When I was a kid, my uncle used to fly in from London and he would always wear a suit. He had told me never fly without a jacket as we represent our country abroad and I have never flown without one. And he also said if there’s anyone who will be upgraded, it will be you with a jacket,” says Boman, laughing.
Moving from fashion to movies, we ask him about Raj Kumar Hirani’s PK. Boman has always been seen in the director’s movies till now, but is missing in PK.
“I am in PK too but in a small role. Raju is a close friend and anything that he asks me to do, even if it is to just stand in front of the camera, I would do that happily,” says Boman.
He also acted in the T’town film Attarintiki Daredi. Does he have more offers now? “Actually, two directors have approached me for roles that are a little serious. I can’t reveal anything now because talks are on. I would love to work in more Tollywood movies. I had heard so much — that the industry is disciplined, organised... And then I got to experience that as well. Even though the language is new to me, it’s all about getting out of one’s comfort zone. I remember Shyam Benegal telling me, if you can watch and understand a foreign or regional language film without subtitles, it’s a great work of cinema.”
Any T’town friends? “I was here for work, right?” he laughs and adds, “I think I had the most innate conversations with Trivikram. Off the sets or in between shoots, we would always be talking about cinema. He is an encyclopaedia of cinema and I believe I am too, he is well-versed with foreign cinema too, which is why we could go on talking for hours.” The jolly on-screen Boman is much the same off-screen too and even as he walks up to the open door for all, he cracks a joke that makes everyone laugh — that is his style.
