Boman: Overcoming anxiety and debt, finding success at 44

Before stepping into the world of acting, Boman Irani managed his family’s potato chip business and served as a waiter at a luxury hotel. He only entered films in his forties, breaking away from the usual path.

Recently, he shared how his childhood anxiety and shy personality made social situations challenging and left him feeling less confident.Early Life and Childhood StrugglesDuring a candid chat on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, Boman opened up about the hardships of his early life. Losing his father before he was born, his mother stepped up to rebuild their failing family business without any prior know-how. Despite some joyful times, Boman recalled his childhood as difficult, struggling with a speech disorder that often made him a target for mockery.He said, “My mother never let me know about any financial issues that were going on, but at the age of five or six, I realised that my mother had turned the business around. She worked very hard because she was in debt. I have no idea how she raised me, I have no idea how she paid back all the debt".The actor further revealed, “My father died before I was born. She wasn’t a businesswoman, nor had she ever worked at a shop. I was a very nervous kid, very shy.

I wouldn’t talk to anybody. Imagine, now you can’t get me to shut up!".Unconventional Career Path and Financial HardshipHe faced numerous hurdles on his road to success. Having spent many years helping out in his family’s store, he made the bold decision to chase his dream of becoming a photographer when he was 32. This fresh journey was not easy, and as he admitted, “I was completely wiped out.” He said, "There were huge problems.

I took loans upon loans. I was paying interest on interest. It was quite ridiculous. It was a very difficult phase".The Call of Creativity and BreakthroughEven though money was tight, Boman couldn’t silence his creative urges. As he put it, “It would’ve been logical to keep working at the shop, but I have a creative animal inside me. What was I supposed to do with him?" Juggling both theatre and photography, he steadily earned recognition.

His stage performances attracted attention, and filmmakers soon started noticing his remarkable talent.“Money was still a problem. I did my first film at the age of 44. Nobody watched my film Let’s Talk, but somehow, Vidhu Vinod Chopra watched it. He liked it and asked to meet me. He gave me money. I asked him, ‘Why?’ He said that he didn’t have any film for me, but still, he gave me money. I never cashed that cheque, because I hadn’t worked for it," he revealed.After eight months, Vidhu Vinod Chopra entrusted him with a breakthrough role as the witty Dean in 'Munna Bhai MBBS', a film that achieved blockbuster status. This opportunity kickstarted an impressive acting career, featuring standout performances in celebrated movies like '3 Idiots', 'PK', 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai', 'Sanju', and 'Jolly LLB'.