‘I’m wary of being stereotyped’

Boman Irani talks about playing his first Parsi character onscreen and dating Sushmita Sen!

What was it it like finally playing a Parsi in ‘Being Cyrus’?
It’s a mixed feeling. I am glad to play a challenging character, but I am wary of being stereotyped. I played a Parsi  in my play ‘I am not Bajirao’ for 10 years, but I had to  learn to speak like that as much as I had to learn to speak like a sardar in ‘Munnabhai II’.

You read 40 drafts of ‘Being Cyrus’. How do you afford this kind of commitment?
The commitment is to yourself. I enjoyed the process. After suggesting the changes, it was challenging to see whether I could stand up to all the big talk that I did.

No rumoured affairs. Does your wife keep you on a short leash?
I was a photographer before I became an actor. I have shot some of the most beautiful women. Plus, I don’t think I belong to the list of men who should be spied upon. I think it’s cool to be a family man.

If you had to choose between dating Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen, who would you pick?
Okay, I am not going to be diplomatic. I  enjoy Sush’s  company.  I admire her take on life. She is a very transparent person. I don’t know Ash. That makes all the difference.

r_faheem@dnaindia.net