Boman Irani's Top 10 performances

For more than a decade, Boman Irani has dabbled in a variety of roles with a mix of fun, frothy and foolish characters.  

What makes the 52-year old so indispensable to most filmmakers is his ability to get under the skin of any fictional character with amazing certainty and skill.

Last Friday saw him play an endearing leading man in Bela Sehgal Bhansali's debut, Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi opposite choreographer/filmmaker Farah Khan. The actor has tons to be pleased about since the lighthearted Parsi romance opened to good reviews and encouraging box office.

Here's a list of 10 of his best performances so far.

Darna Mana Hai, 2002

As the creepy hotel owner with strict No Smoking policy within his premises, Irani's interactions with a chain smoker Saif Ali Khan bring about some spooky results.

Lending the role an ingenious mix of restraint and edge, Irani stands out in Ram Gopal Varma's horror anthology co-starring the likes of Nana Patekar, Shilpa Shetty and Vivek Oberoi.

Sanjay Dutt may have walked away with laurels for playing the loveable titular rogue but this Rajkumar Hirani feel-good comedy about compassion over prescription would half as fun if it wasn't for Boman Irani's interjections as the disciplinarian dean Dr Asthana.

Munnabhai MBBS catapulted the actor in star league and rightfully so.

Read the review here

Even though he insists he's 'not a funny man in real life,' the actor sure knows how to tickle a bone or two.

As the droll, absent-minded principal with an eclectic collection of toon ties, along the lines of Riverdale High's Mr Weatherbee, Irani is a picture of amusement in Farah Khan's directorial debut.

Before playing the compliant kid brother to bully sister Dimple Kapadia in Homi Adjania's Cocktail, the actor served one of his most dark performances as the boorish tyrant Farokh Sethna in Being Cyrus.

While most actors would give into the temptation of going over the top, Irani demonstrates the same with sleek menace.

Read the review here

In the second film from the Munna Bhai series, the actor continues to spoil the party. This time as Lucky Singh, a shady, self-seeking businessman who gets taught an unforgettable lesson in Gandhigiri by Munna and Co.

While there's no excusing his actions as a narcissistic Sardar, Irani is still able to create sympathy for his character as a genuine father.

Read the review here

Apparently, Irani loves to play mean. And in Dibakar Banerjee's first film as director, he gets to do just that.

As the underhanded Delhi builder hoodwinking a gullible middle-class family, Irani plays nasty with detectable glee offering an assortment of expressions that scream trouble. 

Read the review here

The cruel streak continues in yet another memorable performance as Rana Jayawardhan in Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Eklavya.

In this masterful drama that boasts of superlative work from each member of the cast, Irani shines with his well-timed slyness and somber aura despite a relatively brief part.

Read the review here

Hirani has a knack for producing roles that prove to be most iconic in Boman Irani's career.

Following Munnabhai series, Irani is aces as Viru 'Virus' Sahastrabudhhe, the rigid engineering college principal with the look that reminds of Einstein and crabbiness that transports one back to school.

Read the review here

Although Shyam Benegal's Well Done Abba didn't quite hit bulls eye, it boasts of Boman Irani in a double role.

The film has its moments. Needless to say, the actor is in every one of them.

Read the review here

Most villains are required to act or look over-the-top. But that's one of the few good things about Farhan Akhtar's glossy adaptation of the 1978 Don turned franchise, it's subtle.

Especially the tone of Irani's two-faced baddie, Vardhan who has only two things on his mind -- deceit and destruction.