Irani motivates students to face life challenges

Well-known actor Boman Irani attented the graduation ceremony of Bhawanipur Education Society College (Batch of 2019), which was held on September 30, 2019, at Kala Mandir.

Irani, who was the Chief Guest, shared his life experiences, his struggles as a dyslexic child because of which he left the formal education in class 10th, and a lot more.

Irani's father died six months before Irani was born. He had a namkeen shop, which his mother took over thereafter. Irani also worked at this shop on Grant Road till he was 32 years old.

While working at the Taj, using the tips that he received, Irani bought a camera and took sports pictures (school cricket and football matches), selling them for twenty to thirty rupees, which he continued doing for a long time. His epiphany came when he saved money for seven years to take his family for their first ever vacation to Ooty, but ended up in a desolate run-down hotel. It was then that Irani decided to take control of his life, and instead of living the petty existence of a photographer selling small photos, he started to dream. Irani calls it his "zero number bulb moment".

At the age of 32, six months prior to the world boxing championships at Mumbai, Irani met Adajania – the then president of the Olympic boxing association of India, and requested him to become the official photographer of the World Cup. When Adajania told him there was no need for him, Irani offered to work at his office for six months for free in return. He continued to try to convince Adajania, and covered a state boxing match in a different manner than other photographers. Adajania was impressed by his photos and his passion and appointed Irani as the official photographer.

Meanwhile, he became the photographer for the Norwegian boxing team and photographed specific photos that they needed of Ole Klemetsen. When asked about his charges, Irani asked for the international rate.

But one thing that was always close to his heart was acting. He had been passionate for acting since his school and college days. Following his passion, Irani got trained under acting coach Hansraj Siddhia from 1981 to 1983, and later moved to films in 2000. He started his acting career with a number of advertisements such as Fanta, Ceat and Krackjack biscuits, but it was his small but significant role in Darna Mana Hai that earned him acclaim. The film was declared a hit, and his was one of the most remembered segments of the film along with Saif Ali Khan. Irani gained attention for his role in the 2003 comedy Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and since then there is no looking back.

The students were told to face every challenge that comes in the journey of life and emerge as winner.