'My Name Is Boman Irani'

Club of Bombay DISTRICT 3141 THEBulletin of the Rotary Club of BombayGA | For privateTEW circulation only | www.rotaryclubofbombay.orgAY Volume No. 61 Issue No. 13, October 15, 2019 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Friends, Very warm greetings!!! Shashti Poorthi is an ancient Hindu tradition and is celebrated on completion of 60 years of age. This term is derived from Sanskrit, in which “Shashti” means 60 and “Poorthi” means completion. It marks completion of half the years of one’s lifetime as, in Hinduism, 120 years is considered the life span of a human being. In modern times, this sounds highly optimistic and exaggerated but the sixtieth year in one’s life is a significant milestone nevertheless, a memorable turning point, a touching reminder of the rich, mellowed life to unfold in the years to come. This milestone marks celebration and gratitude for this God- given life. I am grateful to the Almighty for the blessings He has always bestowed on my life, provided me with more than I could ever have imagined, given me family and friends who bless me every day with kind words and actions, and has surrounded me with people who always look out for me. I was fortunate to celebrate my 60th birthday with all of you, my friends. The afternoon was delightful – hearing Boman ‘MY NAME IS BOMAN IRANI’ Irani once again on “His Journey from Struggle to Stardom”. Actor Boman Irani shared the story of his life with Rotarians The late afternoon was spent in the wonderful company of my HAVING played a number of name is Boman Irani and I am sweet and adorable young friends at “Lighthouse”, Machimaar roles on screen, carrying some an actor.” Vasahat, near Badhwar Park. of the finest characters with ease This year, we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of and making everyone laugh: ‘it The introduction warmed Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, fondly called ‘Bapu’, the is never too late to start’ rings Rotarians’ heart and Boman ‘father’ of our nation. Some Gandhian values, which one true with the 59-year-young actor was allowed to speak for a may easily recall, are truth (satya), non-violence (ahimsa), service (seva), and others presently applicable of corporate Boman Irani. Luxury, big hotels, good 50 minutes instead of the social responsibility, long term sustainability, excellence. One big budget films, great fame, standard 20 minutes. “I was can easily discern a striking similarity with Rotary values. Boman has it all. But it did not born in December 1959 and One of the 4-way tests reiterates ‘truth’. Let’s reinforce and come that easy. From childhood my father had passed away in reinvigorate our community service at all levels and more so to fame, the actor delivered a May 1959. So I came into this for the underprivileged with ‘Treasure, Time and Talent’. fine performance for members of world surrounded by women: People speak and hear of thoughts and values of Gandhiji the Rotary Club of Bombay and my mother, three sisters, five again and again, two of these are, “we are the trustees of the kept them in thrall. maasis, four kakis and all wealth we create” and “the best way to find yourself is to lose female cousins. I didn’t know yourself in the service of others.” “I never take anything for any species other than female Cosmic coincidence or a message to us – Boman Irani’s granted. The reason: I was sitting and one day, when an uncle visit to our Club on October 1st coinciding with Gandhiji’s on a flight. Someone spotted me from the neighbourhood came 150th birthday week also uncannily reminded one of the and got very excited. He told the and shouted at me, I nearly “Gandhigiri” in the Bollywood film “Lage Raho Munnabhai” guy he was on the phone with, peed in my pants. Everybody in which Boman Irani essayed the wonderful role of “Lucky ‘My most favourite actor on the always felt sorry for me, Bicharo Singh”. phone is here – wait, I will make Boman (Poor Boman) was my The last few days, too, have seen more events and celebrations you talk to him’. He then bent nickname.” – our fellowship hosted by Rtn. Rekha Tanna and the ‘Young over to me and asked, ‘Bhaisaab, at Heart’ musical get together hosted by Rtn. Nandan and what is your name?’ Aetlo kachro Boman then shared that he had Rtn. Ptn. Shreelekha Damani. We are also looking forward to thai gayo zindagi ma. Since then, a speech defect much like his some more events of fun and celebrations at the In-Camera on October 16th and the Diwali Nite on October 23rd. I always introduce myself. My in on-screen avatar in 3 Idiots TODAY’S SPEAKER: WELLNESS EXPERT MICKEY MEHTA President Preeti Mehta FACT: Rotary’s cause was advocated before the NSDAP party court by Dr. Grill, Governor for the Rotary 73rd district, arguing that the German Rotary was compliant with the goals of the Nazi government, and had excluded Freemasons in 1933 and non-Aryans in 1936. Other attempts were made, also by foreign Rotarians, but Service Above Self appeasement failed this time. In September 1937, the 73rd district dissolved itself. 02 THE BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF BOMBAY OCTOBER 15, 2019 THE BULLETIN OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF BOMBAY 03 – a stutter, a stammer and a squeaky from the artist entrance. That’s what I and you land up on the tree – that is my voice. As people laughed at him, Boman wanted to do.” theory. So, I went to the best hotel in decided not to open his mouth. That India, here, the Taj Mahal Hotel.” way, no one would know what was According to Boman, “Every person in wrong with him. this world has a want, if you don’t have a “I prepared myself for the interview and want, your story is not worth telling.” Cut turned myself out nicely. He asked, ‘You Boman narrated a memory of his to after Boman passed the 10th standard want a job here? Which department?’ mother taking him to St. Mary’s School and did not know what he had to do. Main bhi style ma boluyu, ‘Food and for admissions. “Father Malloy, a “I said I’ll be comfortable as a waiter, I beverage!’ He said, ‘Idiot, the whole wonderful person, placed me on his lap like greeting people, smiling at people. hotel is about food and beverage, which (which is not allowed these days, just by So, where do I go? Reach for the stars department?’ I said, ‘Rendezvous, rooftop the way),” joked Boman and continued, restaurant. ‘You want to start from the “he told my mother that I would get into top floor? Go to the basement.’ I walked St. Mary’s School but he would ask me around the Taj Mahal hotel for months and months, and walked every single President Preeti Mehta and her brother celebrate their birthdays with speaker Boman Irani and Rotarians Farhat Jamal, Manish to identify some animals, as a formality. Reshamwala and PE Rtn. Framroze Mehta There I was! Never opened my mouth passage. I get so proud and nostalgic too much! He showed me the photo when I come here – I go and hug all the for a holiday. After all, whatever we do, the envelope to Aspi. He put it in a of a horse, and I did not answer that boys around.” we do it for our family. I looked up the drawer and *thadak*, shut it.” question because he would know my classifieds and found a hotel in Ooty.” problem.” “When I decided to become a waiter, I “This was not the screenplay I had went to my granny and said, ‘Maaiji, I How? “I broke my Taj wala piggy bank written in the night. Aspi handed me President Preeti wishes PP Rtn. Arvind Jolly want to become a waiter.’ She said, ‘ha “My mum, like any Parsi mum, was for his birthday and bought a manual camera and another envelope. In it was a letter that pinching my bum. Father said, ‘Don’t dikra, par duniya ni best waiter banje started taking photographs of school read: ‘you have been appointed as the worry,’ and he showed me a photo of naitoh kattod na.’ The fact of the matter sports events. I would combine school official photographer for the Olympics.’ mouse. I didn’t answer. Needless to say, is, today, I am standing here, but my and sports events and started to sell He said he could see it in my eyes. I didn’t get admission in St Mary’s. My grandma came from Iran on a donkey photos of cricket, motocross, athletic Sometimes, that is all it takes.” mother cried in the taxi and asked me and delivered my dad in a tent. This is events, for Rs. 25 to mommies. I made why did I not open my mouth? Ten days where we come from. Never forget your some money and we went to Ooty. Train- “I became a professional photographer, later, Father Malloy called my mother background.” bus-rickshaw and we reached the hotel. took a personal loan and opened a and said that they had decided I was just Full family, hand-in-hand – only the studio. Bad move, for two years I did nervous and she should send me to St Boman then went on to share anecdotes hotel looked straight out of a Ramsay not have work. I didn’t pay my dues just Mary’s and they would make a man out President Preeti wishes Rtn.

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