'Filmmakers are fascinated by Parsis'

We recognise them through their daglas, their caps, and with six children and a very old car in every family. Their representation in movies is because of what they are, and one must not get offended by their portrayal, even if it seems stereotypical, according to veteran actor Boman Irani.

On the sidelines of the ongoing Everlasting Flame International Programme, that celebrates the multicultural ethos of the Parsi-Zoroastrian community, Irani mentioned that one must not ask for representation of Parsis in movies.

“If you want them to be represented, make your own film,” he said addressing filmmakers. “I don’t think there has to be a consideration where we should say that we should make a movie on Parsis. If you want to be represented, make your own film.”

He further added how people and filmmakers are “fascinated” by Parsis. Agreeing that people in Delhi might not even know who they are, he says that it’s because of their culture and values that Parsis are so talked about.

“Filmmakers are fascinated by Parsis because they are culturally different and have a Persian influence blended with the Indian culture. That’s why we have movies like Zizou, Being Cyrus, or Such a Long Journey, and Shirin Farhad ki toh Nikal Padi, which was made by a Gujarati (Bela Bhansali Sehgal) and was produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali,” said Irani adding that now, the portrayal of Parsis in movies has become more specific and well-refined.

“A certain amount of detail and research has gone into creating a specific rather than a more general portrayal,” he said.

However, the actor, who is renonwed in B-town for his performances in Munna Bhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots and PK, said that for him, performing a Parsi role (which he did in Ferrari ki Safari) would be far more difficult than playing any other role.

“It’s difficult because I don’t look like them, I don’t speak like them and I don’t walk like that. In that sense a lot more detailing comes while playing a Parsi, which comes from a lot of observation and region-specific research.”

On being asked about his roles of J Asthana in Munna Bhai... series and Viru Sahastrabuddhe (Virus) in 3 Idiots, which have been considered promising and have won him many awards, he told Metrolife,

“I think it all comes from preparation. When I have to work for a role, I break it down from the inside, and work towards it from the outside. But it’s the preparation, which is for me the most exciting part of being an actor.”