Profile
Date of Birth: Born in 1962.
Address: 51 L, Paradise, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai 400 02
Height: 6' 3" (1.91 m)
Debut Film: "Josh"
Film Awards: Filmfare Best Supporting Role For "Munnabhai MBBS"

Mini Biography
Boman Irani is a photographer by profession. He started his career as theatre artiste with a cameo in Alyque Padamsee's play "Roshni". Then Boman Irani portrayed Mahatma Gandhi in the Feroz Abbas Khan play "Mahatma vs. Gandhi". This play explored Gandhi's troubled relationship with his eldest son Harilal Gandhi.

Boman made his debut in Bollywood with the film "Josh", but shot into fame as eccentric Dr. J. C. Asthana with the film "Munnabhai M B B S". He has also appeared in the film "Lage Raho Munnabhai" as Lucky Singh. Since then he has done many films playing a variety of character and supporting roles ranging from comic roles in films such as "Main Hoon Na ", "Waqt" and "Khosla Ka Ghosla " as well as serious roles in "Lakshya", "Veer-Zaara" and the English language film "Being Cyrus". His roles have ranged from father, friend, uncle, doctor, corrupt businessman, eccentric murderer and police officer. Boman Irani has also featured in advertisements of Fanta, Krackjack, TATA Indica and many more.

Filmography
Dhan Dhana Dhan , Heyy Babyy, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd., Eklavya, Don, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Yun Hota To Kya Hota, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Shaadi Se Pehle, Being Cyrus, Bluffmaster, Kal, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, No Entry, My Wife's Murder, Page 3, Veer-Zaara, Lakshya, Main Hoon Na, Munnabhai M.B.B.S. and Darna Mana Hai.

Trivia

• Boman Irani follows Zoroastrianism and hails from the Gujarati speaking Parsi community of Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Mumbai: As the sixth edition of controversial reality TV show ‘Bigg Boss’, hosted by superstar Salman Khan, drew to a close; Urvashi Dholakia, Imam Siddique, Niketan Madhok and Sana Khan were the ones who made it to the grand finale.

Dholakia, a very popular TV actress, best known for her role of Komolika appeared a strong contender to win the show’s 6th season. However, model Niketan Madhok also, initially looked likely to be named the winner, leaving little scope for Sana Khan and the infamous Imam Siddique. However, Madhok was the first to be evicted from the house.

Third time host, Salman Khan did not leave a single stone unturned to add that extra spice to the already sizzling hot show. The hunk of an actor was at his wittiest best and his spontaneous acts made a million hearts skip a beat.

Now that the controversies and the drama inside the ‘Bigg Boss 6’ have come to end, we wonder which inmate would end up making the most of the fame garnered after participating in the show.

And if you wonder if a show like ‘Bigg Boss’ can really do wonders to someone, then here’s reminding you of Sunny Leone. Remember how she became an inmate of the house last season and ended up winning a role in ace filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt’s film ‘Jism 2’?

Nonetheless, the house has played home to a number of controversial figures who have left an indelible impact on the viewer’s minds. And we are sure Dolly Bindra is one such celebrity!

When it comes to noisemakers, the house has already produced a fair few: Imam Siddique, Rajev Paul and Sapna Bhavnani find a special mention. 

And it would have been a shock of sorts for most viewers had Mr Siddique ended up becoming the winner. But here's what actually unfolded in front of the many million viewers of the show; frame by frame!

Read on, re-live the enthusiasm, the rush of adrenaline that the grand finale of 'Bigg Boss 6' was instrumental in providing one with!

- The wait is finally over. We now start updating on the status of the ‘Bigg Boss’ Season 6 finale.

- Emotions run high and many friendships have come to an end inside the Bigg Boss house; things have gotten nasty and people have been subjected to a lot of unwanted stuff. But here's what it all has boiled down to - the one winner - the one who takes the 50 lakh jackpot away tonight. Most people want Imam Siddiqui or Urvashi Dholakia to win the crown. But all we can say right now is that we're almost there - a short while away from knowing who the winner is!

- Salman Khan ushers in the first performance of the night. The superstar is seen shaking a leg to the 'Alag Che' song.

- Salman Khan introduces the last surviving members of the house - the finalists of the show: Imam Siddiqui, Sana Khan, Niketan Madhok and Urvashi Dholakia.

- Salman Khan and Imam Siddiqui exchange compliments; Khan speaks to the contestants. The 'Dabangg' stars asks each of the finalists their own opinion about who the winner would be.

- Niketan bets on Urvashi, Sana or himself; Urvashi says Sana.
- Salman asks the finalists to prepare for the first eviction of the night.

- 'AnyBody Can Dance (ABCD)' on the sets of 'Bigg Boss 6'. Prabhu Deva and Remo D'Souza cook up an electrifying performance on the show.

- Salman urges the audience to honour Prabhu Deva and Remo D'Souza with an ear-splitting round of applause, and boy, how the audience obliges!

- Salman, Prabhu Deva and Remo treat the audience to some impromptu dance on the stage! Prabh Deva shows off, yet again, why he's called the Michael Jackson of India: and he's dancing to the iconic 'Muqabla' now!

- Salman, Prabhu Deva and Remo discuss the latters' upcoming film, crack a few jokes; meanwhile, keep the spectators glued to the screen.

- Salman can't stop gushing about Prabh Deva and his capabilities.

- Salman Khan speaks about womanpower... He wants a society which is more sensitive to women. Welcomes Sampat Pal, the 'Gulabi Gang' founder, on the stage. 

- A medley of women-centric songs being performed on the stage. Rashmi Desai shakes a leg.

- Asha Negi, Rashmi Desai, Pooja, Rati Pandey give a brilliant performance on the stage. Sampat Pal and Salman Khan are all-praises for the performers.

- Salman Khan teases Sampat Pal. Salman can't stop joking around... leaving the audiences rolling with laughter. Sampat Pal bets on Imam Siddiqui.

- Salman calls Vishal Karwal on stage. The latter performs on 'Ishq wala love' with Karishma Kotak. A blast of white and red on the stage!

- Vishal and Karishma's sizzling prformance leaves Salman Khan speechless with surprise.

- Vishal wants Sana to win the finale, while Karishma places her wishes on her friend Niketan.

- Time for the first eviction.

- Yana Gupta puts the screens on fire with her 'Aa zara' from 'Murder 2'.

- After Yana's mindblowing performance, Salman is back with his crazy, infectious humour!

- The first eviction: Niketan Madhok has been voted out of the 'Bigg Boss' house.

- Niketan speaks out about his equation with Imam Siddiqui. His brazen attack on Imam: "People like Imam don't deserve to win the show."

- Neha Dhupia and Tusshar Kapoor speak about the importance of the show and say that it should go on.

- Kamya Punjabi makes the audience go into peals of laughter on the sets on the show.

- Kamya Punjabi's candid confession - she's tongue-tied in front of Salman Khan.

- Urvashi Dholakia and Salman Khan speak about the possibility of the actress winning the award.

- The 'Fuski Bomb' Award: And the award goes to... Rajev Paul.

- Gear up for the 'Popat Award' - and the award goes to... Aashka Goradia.

- The 'Short Circuit' Award: Up next - Imam Siddique wins the trophy.

- The 'Door Darshan' Award comes up... Delnaz Irani's crowned the winner of this one!

- Sana, Urvashi and Imam are the ones left within the house.

- Another performance on the other side of the commercial break... we're getting closer to knowing who walks away with the crown!

- Meanwhile, Dineshlal Yadav and Sapna Bhavnani perform on 'Aadat se majboor' and 'O Womaniya'.

- Sapna bhavnani wants Imam Siddiqui to win 'Bigg Boss 6'. Dineshlal Yadav, too, has his heart on Imam; however, he doesn't think Siddiqui will be able to win.

- Salman asks the spectators to gear up for another surprise. And guess who it is - Emraan Hashmi, to promote his 'Ek Thi Daayan', appears on the show!

- Emraan's kissing skills at the receiving end of jokes; Salman wants a 'Daayan' in his life too!

- Emraan Hashmi feels Urvashi Dholakia will win 'Bigg Boss 6'.

- Ace comedian Kapil Sharma steps on to the stage. A lot of comedy in store, it seems!

- Kapil Sharma unleashes a laugh riot on the sets.

- "Filmein do hi bharose chalti hai - ek bhagwaan bharose, ek Salman bharose!": Kapil Sharma.

- Sana Khan follows Niketan Madhok; voted out of the house.

- Imam or Urvashi - who will the winner be?

- Salman walks towards the 'Bigg Boss' house. Wants to bring Imam and Urvashi out on the stage.

- Salman entertains the survivors to his 'Pandey ji seeti'.

- On the other side of the commercial break, Salman gets Urvashi and Imam, the surviving contestants on the 'Bigg Boss' stage. The actual battle begins now!

- The audience speaks about their personal choices. Imam's sister, Urvashi's mother among the ones asked about their preferences.

- And the winner is... Urvashi Dholakia!

- Urvashi Dholakia takes home the jackpot prize of 50 lakhs. And 'Bigg Boss 6' leaves people asking for more, undoubtedly! So here's waiting for the next season, more drama, fun, and yes - Salman!

When the Saints Go Marching In

As corruption runs amok in India, a colorful cast of activists takes on the politicians.

Back in the 1950s, the British scholar W. H. Morris-Jones identified three idioms of Indian politics. These were the modern, the traditional, and the saintly. Thus, he wrote, “the modern language of politics is the language of the Indian Constitution and the Courts; of parliamentary debate; of the higher administration … ” On the other hand, the traditional idiom was local and sectarian. It “knows little or nothing of the problems of anything as big as India.” Here, “caste (or subcaste or ‘community’) is the core of traditional politics.” Finally, there was the saintly idiom, illustrated at the time Morris-Jones was writing, by the land-donation movement of Acharya Vinoba Bhave, “the ‘Saint on the March,’ who toured India on foot preaching the path of self-sacrifice and love and polity without power.”

To understand Indian politics today, Morris-Jones’s framework is still valuable, so long as we add a fourth idiom that has become increasingly common in recent years. This may be termed the instrumental, a euphemism for political behavior that advances the personal financial interests of an individual, his family, his caste, and his party.

For the first decade of independence, Indian politics was dominated by associates of Mahatma Gandhi who shared his integrity if not his courage. In the 1960s, the first signs of corruption entered the system. The economy was then strictly regulated. Entrepreneurs needed licenses to open or expand businesses, for which some politicians now expected bribes.

When the license-permit-quota raj was dismantled in the 1990s, it was expected that corruption would diminish. In fact, it has increased spectacularly. The state still retains control over land and natural resources and over infrastructure projects. With the surge in the Indian economy, control of these resources is worth hundreds of billions of dollars, encouraging sweetheart deals between politicians and entrepreneurs. The proceeds from these deals are then distributed among the elected members of the legislature and to favored bureaucrats. According to a recent study by the Association for Democratic Reforms, as many as 300 out of the 540 members of Parliament are millionaires. The majority were born in modest middle-class homes; their wealth ballooned after they entered politics.

In the past year, India has been racked by a series of corruption scandals. A housing complex in Mumbai meant for war veterans had its units allocated to politicians and bureaucrats and their cronies. Politicians associated with the ruling Congress Party skimmed off large sums of money from funds allocated to the Commonwealth Games, held in New Delhi in late 2010. Politicians of the major opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), were involved in a mining scandal in the state of Karnataka, where millions of tons of iron ore were shipped to China untaxed and in violation of labor and environmental standards. Then, in the biggest scam of all, a minister of the Union Government was found to have massively undersold licenses to mobile-telephone companies, thus giving them cheap, privileged access to airwaves.

Gallery: India's monsoon arrives early

his year the monsoon arrived in Mumbai almost a week ahead of schedule. It announced itself with whip-cracking thunder on June 5, catching the otherwise prepared Mumbaikar unawares.

Around June 10 in normal years, the average Mumbaikar has umbrellas, rubber slippers, plastic bags, waterproof bags, zip-locked checkbook holders, the works. Girlfriends make dates with each other to shop for gumboots.

The slush and the rush of the torrents of water leave the average worker surviving twice-over: once their normal day in an anxious, heaving city, and once again to wade towards their destinations.

However in contrast to a heavy snow-day elsewhere in the world, no monsoon can stop Mumbai.

Everything looks full and ripe, and children play and nobody is thirsty, and all of a day’s work (and play) is undertaken wet, instead of dry.

The monsoon is a great inspiration to pop-culture. From countless Bollywood films to Tuhin Sinha’s novel, "That Thing Called Love" and Kashmira Sheth’s endearing children’s book, illustrated by Yoshiko Jaeggi, about a young boy and his grandfather who go out one "Monsoon Afternoon" to sail paper boats.

More famously, Steve McCurry, the photographer behind the lucid eyes of the Afghan girl featured on the front of National Geographic, created a monsoon series set in Mumbai.

Particularly, this portrait of a tailor in the monsoon became similarly iconic, for framing the good humor and idiosyncrasies that come with this paradoxical season.

McCurry's photos all pinpoint the simultaneous hardship and humor and accidental poetry that come with the monsoon season in Mumbai.

This photo gallery charts the same.

Read more: Gallery: India's monsoon arrives early | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/mumbai/life/wettest-monsoon-photo-gallery-youve-ever-seen-410728?hpt=hp_c2#ixzz1OyHldCXf

Talking shop: AR Rahman

Indian composer AR Rahman is known by some as the Mozart of Asia. He wrote the music to the multi award-winning Slumdog Millionaire, earning himself two Oscars, a Bafta and a Golden Globe in the process.

But his work on many Bollywood movies and beyond has also won many plaudits.

Now, Rahman is hoping the popularity of his work will continue with the forthcoming release of his new Tamil film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya, which recently had its launch at Bafta, London.

On his recent trip to the UK he spoke to the BBC Asian Network.

You're no stranger to London with your film projects - do you like spending time in the UK?

Yes I definitely like to spend time here. This time I'm here to collect a Fellowship Award from the Trinity College of Music. It's very special to me because I studied Trinity College's syllabus when I was 13.

I'm now 43 and it's great to visit the place itself. I never expected it to be such a big college.

Talking of awards, has the success of Slumdog Millionaire sunk in yet?

It's surreal! I think every human being has the time of their life and probably 2009 was it for me.

It's every artist's dream to get an Oscar or a Grammy - I've got two Oscars and am up for two Grammys this year too - that's pretty cool!

I always felt our industry was isolated and needed some kind of recognition. When you look at Hollywood they have every kind of representation - Chinese, Italian and French - but you rarely find an Indian composer so I am very proud to achieve the recognition.

What kind of reaction did you get back home in India after the success of Slumdog Millionaire?

It was very overwhelming and people were full of love for me. The success of Slumdog came just a few months after the disastrous attacks in Mumbai which almost divided the country leaving people confused and very angry.

But the success of the awards brought everyone in the communities together so I felt good winning at the right time.

When you were at the Oscars you met Michael Jackson. What was he like?

I went to Michael Jackson's house to meet him. He was such a nice guy. He even opened the door for me. We talked about life, social issues and global warming.

We met for a second time a month later and I wished him luck with his shows. I wanted to go to his rehearsals but then I heard the bad news. Such a tragedy.

Your father was a celebrated composer who died when you were still young - did he still have an influence on what you do today?

Musically he probably just taught me the basics but what he left behind was a lot of good will from musicians. Every time I went to the studios I heard good things about him which encouraged me to do well too.

Throughout my career I've always had pressure but most of it comes from within - so I can make myself work harder. I give everything 100%. It would be worrying if I didn't. At the end of the day I am a perfectionist.

Tell us about your genre of music, bringing together both Indian and Western influences.

I imagine myself as a listener when I am working. So for example if I work on a multi-cultural film I know the music has to complement it. Sometimes I like producing a new sound which in turn inspires the director to move away from traditional dances and do something completely different. The director and I work together. I wouldn't take all the credit. It's teamwork.

How big a part does spirituality play, especially since you converted to Islam?

I try to make it spiritual. I want to create a very positive energy in the songs because so many people listen to them. Even the core and the nucleus of the song has to be true and honest and the only way to do that is set up a foundation which is spiritual.

Both my parents were Hindu but my father was influenced by Sufism and its positive energies towards leading a peaceful life. It helps us as a family to reflect on positive things in life. Being religious helps me counter greed and materialism and deal with disappointments in life as well as success. Religion is very important to me.

How do you keep the balance between work and home life?

Most of my studios are based inside my various residences especially in Chennai, London and LA so I'm always with my family. I keep checking on the kids while I am working although at certain times I do lock myself into the studio because I want to be alone. The set up works for me.

The only authorised biography of you is due out soon?

Yes it's by Nasreen Muni Kabir and it's called AR Rahman - The Spirit of Music and she's still working on it. Nasreen is good as whatever she has done so far has been respected and read well so I hope her book on me is good too. It'll be out next year.

Will you ever try directing or acting?

I'm a musician and will continue to do music and just music.

India's Bharti targets Bangladesh

Regulators in Bangladesh have approved Indian phone company Bharti Airtel's proposed $300m investment in the country's fourth largest mobile firm.

If the plan is finalised, Bharti will be the first Indian telecom operator to enter Bangladesh's highly competitive mobile market.

Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing mobile markets in the world.

It already has more than 50 million subscribers and the number is expected to double by 2015.

Price war

Bharti Airtel is India's leading mobile phone service provider and is now planning to buy a nearly 70% stake in Abu Dhabi-owned Warid Telecom, which has nearly three million customers in Bangladesh.

Bharti Airtel, which has twice failed to seal a merger with South Africa's MTN Group, wants to diversify because of intensifying competition and a price war in India.

Bangladeshi officials hope that the Indian company will invest more than $1bn in the next few years.

But Bharti Airtel will face stiff competition from market leaders such as the Bangladesh-Norway joint venture Grameenphone, which has more than 40% of the market share.

Mobile phones have become popular in Bangladesh mainly because the networks cover virtually the entire country and call rates are among the cheapest in the world.

Mobile phone companies like Bharti Airtel hope that the introduction of additional services like banking and money transfers will attract new customers and boost revenue.

Bridge collapse in western India 'kills 40'

The collapse of a bridge being built in western India is feared to have left some 40 people dead, local police say.

Dozens of labourers working on the bridge are thought to have fallen into the river Chambal when it collapsed late on Thursday.

Rescuers have recovered 12 bodies but there is little hope of finding anyone else alive, a senior officer said.

The accident happened near the town of Kota, some 170 miles (270 km) west of Jaipur in Rajasthan.

Police Inspector General Rajeev Dasot said an inquiry had begun into the circumstances leading to the collapse of the bridge, which is being jointly built by South Korea's Hyundai Engineering and Gammon India.

Mr Dasot said it could take another three days to clear all the debris, AP news agency reported.

The government has ordered an investigation and police have arrested two project managers.

Correspondents say construction site accidents are relatively common in India, where health and safety rules are often overlooked.

Gautam Gambhir & Virat Kohli's centuries seal India win

Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli both hit centuries to take India to a series-clinching seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their fourth one-day meeting.

In another high-scoring game, Gambhir made a career-best unbeaten 150, his seventh one-day century, and Kohli scored 107 for his first one-day ton.

Sri Lanka opener Upul Tharanga's 118 had led his side to an imposing 315-6.

But India recovered from 23-2 as Gambhir and Kohli's third-wicket stand of 224 turned the match their way.

The two came together after Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar were dismissed cheaply and rebuilt their side's innings as they achieved the highest successful run chase in a one-day international at Eden Gardens.

Kohli, replacing the injured Yuvraj Singh, was finally out going for his second six with their partnership only 13 runs short of a record third-wicket total.

India needed another 69 from more than 10 overs but Dinesh Karthik helped Gambhir take them home and put them 3-1 up in the series.

After the match Gambhir was chosen as man of the match but gave his award to Kohli.

"When you have someone at the other end who can attack the bowling, especially when you lose early wickets, it takes the pressure off you," said Gambhir.

"With Kohli attacking I was able to take my time to settle down."

Kohli said: "As a kid I dreamed of getting a hundred for India in a one-day game and I have been able to achieve that - it is a great feeling."

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara blamed his bowlers for the defeat, saying: "Once you get 315 on the board you expect your bowlers to really do the job for you.

"But with our bowling we were either too short or too full on either side of the wicket.

The final match in the five-game series takes place in Delhi on Sunday.