Boman Irani, now one of India’s most respected actors, didn’t always have the spotlight on him. His path to stardom was paved with hardship, resilience, and quiet determination. Born after his father’s death, Irani was raised by his mother along with three elder sisters in Mumbai. Life was anything but easy.
Before he became a household name with films like Munna Bhai MBBS and 3 Idiots, Irani juggled multiple jobs to support his family. After graduating from St Mary’s School, he pursued hotel management at Mithibai College and worked as a waiter at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. At the same time, he helped his mother run a small bakery business and also earned from photography at school sports events.
Tragedy struck when his mother met with an accident, prompting Boman to give up his work to care for his family. For the next ten years, he ran his mother’s farsan and namkeen shop in Mumbai’s Grant Road area.
Throughout his youth, Boman also struggled with dyslexia and stammering, often facing ridicule that affected his self-esteem. In a Josh Talks interview, he revealed how a school performance where he received applause — recorded by his supportive mother — became a turning point, motivating him to overcome his speech challenges.
Despite financial pressure, Boman kept his passion for creativity alive. He worked in theatre and pursued photography, eventually catching the eye of filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who cast him as Dr. Asthana in Munna Bhai MBBS. That role catapulted him into the limelight, followed by powerful performances in Lage Raho Munna Bhai, PK, Sanju, and Jolly LLB.
Today, Boman Irani’s success story stands tall with a net worth of approximately Rs 107 crore.