Mumbai witnessed a delightful mix of wit and warmth as Boman Irani opened up about working with actor-director Riteish Deshmukh on Raja Shivaji. Staying true to his signature style, Irani had the audience in splits while also sharing heartfelt admiration for his co-star-turned-director.
Recounting how he came on board the film, Irani joked, “I didn’t even say yes to this film—I wasn’t even asked! I was just told, ‘What are you doing on the 30th? I’ll send you the address.’”
He went on to describe his first day on set, revealing Riteish’s rather unusual instruction—no makeup. “He said if I wore makeup, I’d look too young. He wanted me to look like an actual old man for my role as a Baba,” Irani laughed.
Adding a dose of affection to the humour, he shared, “I love him like my own son… though he speaks to me as if I’m his!”
Beyond the laughter, Irani expressed deep admiration for Riteish’s vision and the scale of Raja Shivaji. Calling the film a “spectacle,” he praised the detailing in every frame and the sheer ambition of the project. “I made a small film with great difficulty, and then I see this—every shot, every exchange—it’s incredible. I feel so proud of you,” he said.
Raja Shivaji releases worldwide on May 1, 2026.