Celebrity Speak: In conversation with Boman Irani
Bollywood Actor and Bell Bajao Ambassador Boman Irani talks about the need for men to take a stand against domestic violence and the responses he has been getting for supporting the campaign that asks men and boys to ring the bell against violence against women.
A few weeks ago, a casually dressed Boman climbed up a flight of stairs and rang the bell of an abuser asking to use his phone. The whole country stood up and took notice of this Bollywod actor and celebrity making a statement by being a male brand ambassador of a campaign on domestic violence—Bell Bajao!
Quick Facts
Name: Boman Irani
Age: 46
Profession: Actor and Photographer
Based in: Mumbai
He
It’s been six weeks since the Bell Bajao ads featuring him have been hit all major channels in India. Boman is at ease. Moving away from the hullabaloo around a Bollywood Film set we sit down in his vanity van, and talk about the astounding response of the campaign, especially in relation to him. “I have been travelling a lot lately,” he says referring to his hectic shooting schedule. “So I didn’t get to see much of the immediate response of the campaign, but I have been approached by many people on the flight. Random men come upto me and say how much their liked the ad and appreciated me promoting the cause. That makes me feel really proud,” he adds.
Meet Boman Irani—photographer, Bollywood Actor and Bell Bajao ambassador. The titles don’t weigh him down, only make him more approachable. His warmth strikes a chord with his audiences, whether as the eccentric Dr. J.C Ashtana in the hit comedy film Munnabhai M.B.B.S or as the negative Kishan Khurana in Khosla ka Ghosla. Not surprisingly, people were amazed to see this funny man be seriously interested in a women’s issue.
She Works
“The role a woman plays in my work?” he asks. “As much of a role as a man plays in my work. I don’t even see why there should be a difference. There are times when I get a lot of emotional support, tenderness and strength from a woman. As a human being, I respond to this combination very well. I listen to women, because of this sensitivity, especially on creative issues.“
Around her finger
It would truly be less than half a life lived if I wasn’t married to such a wonderful person. And not just my wife and my mother, but I do respond superbly to the women in my life.
Ringing the Bell
Boman’s Bell Bajao excuse: “I could be as funny as…Is your TV working? What time is the cricket match starting?” He smiles at his own unbelievable excuses and rattles off the usual borrowing milk, sugar excuses. His hot favourite however, is asking for the elder in the family. “Abbaji hain kya gharme? Is there an elder in your house?” Either you make the abuser feel embarrassed or bully the bully, is his funda because “Abraham Lincon said bullies are the easiest to bully. Just ring the bell and walk away.”
Tagged domestic violence
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