Veteran actor Boman Irani, who is known for delivering some of Bollywood’s most iconic and emotionally resonant performances in films such as 3 Idiots, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Munna Bhai MBBS, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Dunki and many others, recently opened up about the deep personal void left by the absence of his father, a man he never got to meet.In a recent conversation with Raj Shamani, the Munna Bhai MBBS star revealed that his father passed away before he was born, and as a result, he grew up never knowing what it felt like to receive a father’s love.“Jo maine aaj tak mehsoos hi nahi kiya, toh uska loss kaise mehsoos karenge? Mujhe pata hi nahi hai ki father kya hota hai,” Boman said.“I had other complications. I was a nervous child. Father nahi hone pe ghar ke log zyada protective ho jaate hai, and that becomes a comfort zone. Toughness nahi thi mere mein. Jab main chhota tha, maine dekha hi nahi tha ‘mard’ (a father figure).”
‘I’m not trying to fill the void’The actor will next be seen in the upcoming film Detective Sherdil, where he plays the role of a father. When asked whether playing such roles stirs up any emotions related to the absence of his own father, Boman responded with introspection.“There is a void. I don’t know if it really means anything. I’m not trying to fill in. And if I am, I’m not aware of it,” he said.In Detective Sherdil, directed by Ravi Chhabria, Boman Irani plays the role of a businessman who gets murdered, prompting an investigation from actor Diljit Dosanjh. It also stars Diana Penty, Chunky Panday, Ratna Pathak Shah and Banita Sandhu. The film is set to premiere on June 20.