Boman gets choosy to spend time with family

Mumbai, Aug 8 (IANS) The very versatile Boman Irani is apparently saying no to more offers per week than one can keep track of because he feels it's time to slow down and spend time with his family.

"I don't like saying no. It's very tough. But there're very special people whom I've said no to because I don't want to be away from home for months on end," Boman told IANS.

Boman decided to say no after a long mental debate. For instance, he turned down Shashi Ranjan's "Dhoom Dhadaka" which Anupam Kher is doing.

"It's hard to say no to good people offering interesting roles and decent money. But I really need time to spend with my family. And I won't cut down on that at any cost. I get tired working the whole day. And I can't come home tired every day.

"I love being on sets, but I love that time with my family in the evening when we all sit on the bed and I tell them everything. I miss that when I'm away for long stretches. I was in Australia for 'Heyy Babyy', then London for 'Goal'. I'm back now. And feeling very relieved."

But acting has never been more fun. Though Boman isn't playing the baby in "Heyy Babyy", he feels like a child once again.

"Everything I ever wanted to do as a child I am doing now. I got to do stunt driving in 'Don'. And for 'Goal' I not only got to see football matches but also got to play the game. I feel I'm living a dream."

To play Lucky Singh in "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" Boman spent months with the Sardar community.

"I used to spend a lot of time in the auto spare-parts shops on Grant Road. It was great fun...and I got lovely insights into Sikh sensitivities. There was this guy who said, 'Let me tell you, Sardar not only jokey, Sardar also sensitive.' I made my Sardar character weep in 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai'."

Similarly, the actor says he learnt a lot about football while shooting for Vivek Agnihotri's "Goal" in which he plays a tired coach.

"I learnt so much about football. And that was possible only because I played this guy at one stretch. And to do that, I need to cut down my assignments. For 'Goal' I was in London from start to finish. Likewise 'Don'.

"I tried to play as little a clichéd as possible. I play a guy who has the guts to stare at the mirror and not flinch. And I make the others on the team do the same. Though I don't play football in the film, I did play to prepare for my role. Unless you play the game you can't be teaching it."

In "Heyy Babyy" Boman plays Vidya Balan's dad.

"One little moustache and a mole did the trick. And working with the two Sajids (director Sajid Khan and producer Sajid Nadiadwala) was so much fun. Sajid Khan had us choking with laughter. I don't know how the movie got made. We just sailed through it."

At home Boman has a loving wife and two sons.

"And a daughter : my dog Laila. My elder son Danesh is 21. Now are you convinced that I can play Vidya Balan's dad? I was 25 when I got married. When I decided on the girl I wanted to marry, I immediately married her."

Boman's elder son isn't keen on films.

"I don't think Danesh is interested in movies. In fact, he leaves for New Jersey for his masters. The younger one, Kayur, is 18. He's into editing, making short films. They're both big shams at home. They take their mother for a big royal ride."

From "Munnabhai M.B.B.S" to "Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd", Boman has certainly come a long way.

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