Iran Makes Waves At The 76th Cannes
And their Indian counterparts do their bit and more at home, writes Manu Shrivastava
Iranian-born model Mahlagha Jaberi made a loud statement to #stopexecution in Iran on Cannes Red Carpet which has become synonymous with global protest and a platform to highlight issues.
And then, Iranian Zar Amir Ebrahimi who lives in exile won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for Holy Spider based on the true story of a serial killer in the holy city of Mashad, Iran. Directed by Iran-born Ali Abbasi, the film follows a journalist, Rahimi, as she covers the hunt for a construction worker who was a suspect in the murder of 16 sex workers.
And, Alireza Khatami and Ali Asgari‘s Terrestrial Verses, the sole Iranian film premiering in Cannes’ Official Selection, has been acquired for distribution in key European territories. Represented by Films Boutique, Terrestrial Verses has been acquired for France (ARP Selection), Benelux (September Films) and Germany/Austria (Neue Visionen). All three banners are leading distributors in their respective territories. Those deals were closed following the film’s well-received world premiere.
Terrestrial Verses is making waves and is considered controversial for a number of reasons. For starters, the film is a powerful and moving exploration of the power of poetry to heal the soul. This is a topic that is often overlooked in mainstream cinema, and Terrestrial Verses offers a unique and refreshing perspective.
Back home, Iran has been featured in Hindi films on various occasions, either as a backdrop for a particular scene or as a part of the film's storyline where Iran is featured or referenced in Hindi films. It's worth noting that Bollywood has often used foreign locations as a backdrop to enhance the visual appeal and add diversity to the stories.
Iranis, Zoroastrians In Entertainment Industry
Parsi Actors have made waves in the Hindi film industry over the years. In recent times, one cannot gloss over the performances of Boman Irani - known for his versatile roles in films like Munnabhai M.B.B.S., 3 Idiots, and PK.
Boman was born on 2 December 1959, in Mumbai to an Irani Zoroastrian family. His father died 6 months before Irani was born dyslexic, as well as with a lisp, he eventually overcame. His mother often encouraged him to repeatedly watch movies at the Alexander Cinema — where he would go daily after school—to observe their cinematography and art.’
Boman’s Journey
Following his polytechnic diploma course, he joined the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower where he worked as a waiter and in room service for two years. With a promotion, he became a waiter at the hotel's rooftop French restaurant, Rendezvous.
And, until he was 32 years old, Irani also managed the bakery and namkeen shop that belonged to his mother—who took over from Irani's father after his passing — where would make and sell potato chips and tea.
Located on Mumbai's Grant Road between Novelty Cinema and Apsara Cinema, this shop was also where Irani first met his mother-in-law.
Irani's mentor was Alyque Padamsee—the veteran theatre actor best known for his role as Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Gandhi—whom he was introduced to by Shiamak Davar. Irani's earliest theatrical appearance was in Roshni, in which he played a cameo at the Regional Theatre in Versova. He followed this up with serials like Family Ties and Mahatma vs Gandhi, playing Gandhi after the role was turned down by Darshan Jariwala. His most illustrious play to date would be I Am Not Bajirao which ran for ten years.
Irani moved to on-screen acting in 2000. He started out in a number of advertisements such as Fanta, Ambuja Cements, CEAT and KrackJack biscuits (as Mr. Jack of the Krack and Jack duo). His small but significant role in Darna Mana Hai earned him acclaim.
The film was declared a hit, and he was one of the most remembered segments of the film along with Saif Ali Khan. Irani gained attention for his role in the 2003 comedy Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. His role as J. Asthana earned him a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role.
He later appeared in Lage Raho Munna Bhai for which he received several IIFA award nominations and in 3 Idiots opposite Aamir Khan which earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Cyrus and Satire
And then, there’s Cyrus Broacha an Indian TV anchor, theatre personality, comedian, political satirist, columnist, podcaster and author. Known best for being a prankster, and his show Bakra on MTV and The Week That Wasn't on CNN-News18 (formerly CNN-IBN), Broacha was born to a Parsi father and Catholic mother.
He started acting at the age of five in a school play, The Emperor's New Clothes. Every year he performed and wrote for the school magazine, winning prizes for English and drama.
Boman Irani’s son, Kayoze Irani, made his acting debut in the film Student of the Year and has since appeared in movies like Youngistaan and The Legend of Michael Mishra.
Persis Phenomenon
Parsi Actresses included Persis Khambatta born in Bombay to a middle-class Parsi family, gained international recognition for her role as Lieutenant Ilia in the film Star Trek: The Motion Picture and then to roles in Nighthawks (1981), Megaforce (1982) and Warrior of the Lost World (1983).
The internationally-known model from Mumbai (formerly Bombay), won Miss India in 1965 clad in an outfit she purchased right before the competition.
She played a number of guest roles on American TV hits in the '80s including Hunter, MacGyver (both in 1986) and Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (1987). She also appeared in the 1993 pilot of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Khambatta left Hollywood for Bombay in the 1990s and produced the 1996 anthology Pride of India, a book that featured participants in international beauty pageants and other icons. Khambatta died in August 1998 of a heart attack at age 49. She had a history of health problems, going back to a 1983 coronary bypass.
Aruna – An Indian Irani
And, then there’s Aruna Irani, born in Mumbai, India to an Irani father and a Hindu mother. Father Faredun Irani ran a drama troupe and mother Saguna was an actress. The eldest of eight siblings, Aruna was fond of studies and wanted to become a doctor.
But because her family didn’t have the means to educate all the children, she had to give up studies after sixth standard. She claims to have learnt dancing while working in the films because she couldn’t afford professional training. Brothers Indra Kumar, Adi Irani and Firoz Irani are all associated with the film industry and actress Bindu is her cousin.
Farah, Farhan & Zoya
There’s also Indian film director, writer, film producer, actress, dancer and choreographer, Farah Khan who has choreographed dance routines for more than a hundred songs in over 80 films, won six Filmfare Awards for Best Choreography and the National Film Award for Best Choreography.
Mother Menaka Irani is the sister of former child actors Honey Irani and Daisy Irani. Farah is thus a first cousin of film personalities Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar (children of Honey Irani). Brother, Sajid Khan, is a comedian, actor and film director.
Born to screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, Farhan Akhtar is an Indian actor, director, screenwriter, dialogue writer, playback singer, lyricist, producer and television host who works in Hindi films.
Sister Zoya Akhtar is an Indian film director and screenwriter who after completing a diploma in filmmaking from NYU, assisted directors such as Mira Nair, Tony Gerber and Dev Benegal, before becoming a writer and director herself.
She has directed movies such as Luck by Chance (2009), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and Sheila Ki Jawani, a segment of Bombay Talkies (2013). She has co-written Talaash (2012) alongside Reema Kagti. She then went on to direct Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) and Gully Boy.
The Power Of Sarbh
Jim Sarbh was born on 27 August 1987 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India into a Parsi Zoroastrian family. He made his feature film debut as the antagonist in the critically and commercially successful biopic Neerja (2016), which garnered him positive reviews from critics and accolades.
He went on to rise to prominence for playing antagonistic roles in the period drama Padmaavat (2018) and the biopic Sanju (2018), both of which rank among the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.
He was also a part of films like A Death in the Gunj (2017), Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) and Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway (2023). In 2022, he played Dr. Homi Bhabha in the series Rocket Boys.
Other Irani actors who have made their presence felt in Indian Entertainment Industry include Delnaaz Irani, Tannaz Irani, Bakhtiyaar Irani, Nauheed Cyrusi, Shenaz Treasurywala and Perizaad Zorabian.
Iranian-born model Mahlagha Jaberi made a loud statement to #stopexecution in Iran on Cannes Red Carpet which has become synonymous with global protest and a platform to highlight issues.
And then, Iranian Zar Amir Ebrahimi who lives in exile won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for Holy Spider based on the true story of a serial killer in the holy city of Mashad, Iran. Directed by Iran-born Ali Abbasi, the film follows a journalist, Rahimi, as she covers the hunt for a construction worker who was a suspect in the murder of 16 sex workers.
 |
| Iranian-born model Mahlagha Jaberi at the 76th Cannes |
To add to Iran’s list of achievements, Alireza Khatami and Ali Asgari’s Terrestrial Verses, the sole Iranian film premiering in Cannes’ Official Selection, has been acquired for distribution in key European territories.
At the 76th Cannes on May 26, Mahlagha Jaberi turned heads on the red carpet in an outfit that represented a noose, denoting the ongoing protests in Iran. Mahlagha has always been vocal about her political views and has taken centre-stage in people’s protests.
Be it the Anti-Hijab protest or the current protest against Death Penalties, the model has always used her platforms to voice dissent. Recently, she attended the Cannes film festival and made it a point to catapult the Iranian struggles to global spotlight.
"I have come a long way to be on this stage tonight. It was not an easy story," told Zar Amir Ebrahimi to the audience after winning the Best Actress Award at the awards ceremony. She said she had been "saved by cinema". "It was humiliation but there was cinema, it was solitude but there was cinema, it was darkness but there was cinema. Now I'm standing in front of you on a night of joy."
Ebrahimi's character in Holy Spider has also been a victim of lascivious rumours and male predation. The film suggests there was little official pressure to catch the murderer, who ends up a hero among the religious right. “This film is about women, it's about their bodies, it's a movie full of faces, hair, hands, feet, breasts, sex - everything that is impossible to show in Iran,” said Ebrahimi.
At the 76th Cannes on May 26, Mahlagha Jaberi turned heads on the red carpet in an outfit that represented a noose, denoting the ongoing protests in Iran. Mahlagha has always been vocal about her political views and has taken centre-stage in people’s protests.
Be it the Anti-Hijab protest or the current protest against Death Penalties, the model has always used her platforms to voice dissent. Recently, she attended the Cannes film festival and made it a point to catapult the Iranian struggles to global spotlight.
"I have come a long way to be on this stage tonight. It was not an easy story," told Zar Amir Ebrahimi to the audience after winning the Best Actress Award at the awards ceremony. She said she had been "saved by cinema". "It was humiliation but there was cinema, it was solitude but there was cinema, it was darkness but there was cinema. Now I'm standing in front of you on a night of joy."
Ebrahimi's character in Holy Spider has also been a victim of lascivious rumours and male predation. The film suggests there was little official pressure to catch the murderer, who ends up a hero among the religious right. “This film is about women, it's about their bodies, it's a movie full of faces, hair, hands, feet, breasts, sex - everything that is impossible to show in Iran,” said Ebrahimi.
 |
| Zar Amir Ebrahimi won the Best Actress award for Holy Spider |
Terrestrial Verses is making waves and is considered controversial for a number of reasons. For starters, the film is a powerful and moving exploration of the power of poetry to heal the soul. This is a topic that is often overlooked in mainstream cinema, and Terrestrial Verses offers a unique and refreshing perspective.
Back home, Iran has been featured in Hindi films on various occasions, either as a backdrop for a particular scene or as a part of the film's storyline where Iran is featured or referenced in Hindi films. It's worth noting that Bollywood has often used foreign locations as a backdrop to enhance the visual appeal and add diversity to the stories.
Iranis, Zoroastrians In Entertainment Industry
Parsi Actors have made waves in the Hindi film industry over the years. In recent times, one cannot gloss over the performances of Boman Irani - known for his versatile roles in films like Munnabhai M.B.B.S., 3 Idiots, and PK.
Boman was born on 2 December 1959, in Mumbai to an Irani Zoroastrian family. His father died 6 months before Irani was born dyslexic, as well as with a lisp, he eventually overcame. His mother often encouraged him to repeatedly watch movies at the Alexander Cinema — where he would go daily after school—to observe their cinematography and art.’
Boman’s Journey
Following his polytechnic diploma course, he joined the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower where he worked as a waiter and in room service for two years. With a promotion, he became a waiter at the hotel's rooftop French restaurant, Rendezvous.
And, until he was 32 years old, Irani also managed the bakery and namkeen shop that belonged to his mother—who took over from Irani's father after his passing — where would make and sell potato chips and tea.
Located on Mumbai's Grant Road between Novelty Cinema and Apsara Cinema, this shop was also where Irani first met his mother-in-law.
Irani's mentor was Alyque Padamsee—the veteran theatre actor best known for his role as Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Gandhi—whom he was introduced to by Shiamak Davar. Irani's earliest theatrical appearance was in Roshni, in which he played a cameo at the Regional Theatre in Versova. He followed this up with serials like Family Ties and Mahatma vs Gandhi, playing Gandhi after the role was turned down by Darshan Jariwala. His most illustrious play to date would be I Am Not Bajirao which ran for ten years.
Irani moved to on-screen acting in 2000. He started out in a number of advertisements such as Fanta, Ambuja Cements, CEAT and KrackJack biscuits (as Mr. Jack of the Krack and Jack duo). His small but significant role in Darna Mana Hai earned him acclaim.
The film was declared a hit, and he was one of the most remembered segments of the film along with Saif Ali Khan. Irani gained attention for his role in the 2003 comedy Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. His role as J. Asthana earned him a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role.
He later appeared in Lage Raho Munna Bhai for which he received several IIFA award nominations and in 3 Idiots opposite Aamir Khan which earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Cyrus and Satire
And then, there’s Cyrus Broacha an Indian TV anchor, theatre personality, comedian, political satirist, columnist, podcaster and author. Known best for being a prankster, and his show Bakra on MTV and The Week That Wasn't on CNN-News18 (formerly CNN-IBN), Broacha was born to a Parsi father and Catholic mother.
He started acting at the age of five in a school play, The Emperor's New Clothes. Every year he performed and wrote for the school magazine, winning prizes for English and drama.
Boman Irani’s son, Kayoze Irani, made his acting debut in the film Student of the Year and has since appeared in movies like Youngistaan and The Legend of Michael Mishra.
Persis Phenomenon
Parsi Actresses included Persis Khambatta born in Bombay to a middle-class Parsi family, gained international recognition for her role as Lieutenant Ilia in the film Star Trek: The Motion Picture and then to roles in Nighthawks (1981), Megaforce (1982) and Warrior of the Lost World (1983).
 |
| Internationally-known model Persis Khambatta |
She played a number of guest roles on American TV hits in the '80s including Hunter, MacGyver (both in 1986) and Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (1987). She also appeared in the 1993 pilot of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Khambatta left Hollywood for Bombay in the 1990s and produced the 1996 anthology Pride of India, a book that featured participants in international beauty pageants and other icons. Khambatta died in August 1998 of a heart attack at age 49. She had a history of health problems, going back to a 1983 coronary bypass.
Aruna – An Indian Irani
And, then there’s Aruna Irani, born in Mumbai, India to an Irani father and a Hindu mother. Father Faredun Irani ran a drama troupe and mother Saguna was an actress. The eldest of eight siblings, Aruna was fond of studies and wanted to become a doctor.
But because her family didn’t have the means to educate all the children, she had to give up studies after sixth standard. She claims to have learnt dancing while working in the films because she couldn’t afford professional training. Brothers Indra Kumar, Adi Irani and Firoz Irani are all associated with the film industry and actress Bindu is her cousin.
Farah, Farhan & Zoya
There’s also Indian film director, writer, film producer, actress, dancer and choreographer, Farah Khan who has choreographed dance routines for more than a hundred songs in over 80 films, won six Filmfare Awards for Best Choreography and the National Film Award for Best Choreography.
Mother Menaka Irani is the sister of former child actors Honey Irani and Daisy Irani. Farah is thus a first cousin of film personalities Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar (children of Honey Irani). Brother, Sajid Khan, is a comedian, actor and film director.
Born to screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, Farhan Akhtar is an Indian actor, director, screenwriter, dialogue writer, playback singer, lyricist, producer and television host who works in Hindi films.
 |
| IN ONE FRAME: The Irani sisters, Daisy, Menka and Honey (Source: Farah Khan / Instagram) |
She has directed movies such as Luck by Chance (2009), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and Sheila Ki Jawani, a segment of Bombay Talkies (2013). She has co-written Talaash (2012) alongside Reema Kagti. She then went on to direct Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) and Gully Boy.
The Power Of Sarbh
Jim Sarbh was born on 27 August 1987 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India into a Parsi Zoroastrian family. He made his feature film debut as the antagonist in the critically and commercially successful biopic Neerja (2016), which garnered him positive reviews from critics and accolades.
He went on to rise to prominence for playing antagonistic roles in the period drama Padmaavat (2018) and the biopic Sanju (2018), both of which rank among the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.
He was also a part of films like A Death in the Gunj (2017), Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) and Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway (2023). In 2022, he played Dr. Homi Bhabha in the series Rocket Boys.
Other Irani actors who have made their presence felt in Indian Entertainment Industry include Delnaaz Irani, Tannaz Irani, Bakhtiyaar Irani, Nauheed Cyrusi, Shenaz Treasurywala and Perizaad Zorabian.
