Boman Irani, Cine and theatre actor, the voice creative person and artist. who is a wide wide proverbial for his comedic and villain roles in Bollywood films like Don, Munna Bhai MBBS, 3 Idiots, Happy New year, PK and Dilwale at 55 is emotional, loyal cuddly started his life as a waiter, went on to becoming a photographer, did theatre and finally made his debut in Bollywood at the age of 44 with Raju Hirani's Munna Bhai M.B.B.S says it is not where you start is important, it is where you end up.

“Success without failure has no excitement in life, I do believes in luck but when it comes to getting a break in the film industry, hard work does matter. That makes me believe that If a person is hard working, knows exactly what it takes to be an actor, I think he or she will make it at some point in life,” said Famous Bollywood star Boman Irani while speaking at the well attended interactive session on “The Journey: Life, Learning & Leadership Lessons” organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) on Friday.

The 55-year-old actor, who made his Bollywood debut with filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani’s “Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.” at the age of 44, says “it wasn’t hard for me to get a film, but I struggled during the years before I made foray in the movie .It takes a lifetime of hard work to get there, so the struggle had already happened. I had kind of paid my dues doing 14 years of theatre. When I got ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.’, I was so taken up by the story and I met Rajkumar Hirani for the first time and I said, ‘This is a guy I’d like to work with.”

“So getting a film was not as difficult as the years I’d spent before it as a photographer or as a theatre actor and before that as a shopkeeper. So it wasn’t much of a struggle, but the struggle of life was very much there for 44 years,” he quipped.

“I seem to enjoy every single day on the set. There are some roles that you might get great creative and artistic satisfaction out of, some might get you a great amount of box office success, but frankly, that doesn’t move me much. Even as my waiter job in Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai, I put my heart in it as my granny used to say 'be the best whatever you do this has stayed with me always, "said the actor, who has featured in movies like “3 Idiots”, “Well Done Abba”, “Don – The Chase Begins” and “Happy New Year”,” he added.

“I am an ethically strict person and take pride in my loyalty. I am emotional and can show my emotions stupidly. I work hard, but can be lazy. I am not ambitious or competitive at all, but I'd like to fulfill some of my dreams. I want to do some films where I can sit with my grandchildren and say, 'The old man did this.' Potentially, I feel there is more and I have not done that yet. I would love to do theatre again,” He said.

FLO President, Ms Vasvi Bharat Ram speaking on the occasion said, “FLO is the most apt platform to connect, learn and grow. We recognise the success stories of true achievers and provide a platform for the members to be inspired by them. This programme was an excellent opportunity to be motivated by the inspiring success story of Boman Irani and learn about his journey to success. The real life story of a great actor’s journey from an entirely different field is that of a dream, achieved thru grit, determination and perseverance. FLO salutes his indomitable spirit and unsurpassed courage.”

A man of great talents, Boman has truly scripted his own destiny and reached the zenith of accomplishment as a successful actor and carved a niche for himself in the theatre world and Bollywood.

As a part of its activities, FLO brings together achievers from various arenas for interactive sessions on breaking through challenges and innovating change to achieve success. Boman Irani is an inspirational leader and a role model for not only actors by youth in general. The interactive session was an opportunity for the members to pick up tips, advice and ideas for success and innovation.