Boman Irani is a versatile film and theatre actor, voice artiste and photographer. His father, who ran a bakery and farsan (savouries) shop at Grant Road in south Bombay, died a few months before Irani’s birth. Irani’s mother then ran the shop and raised him. 

Boman Irani studied at the St Mary's School, Mazgaon, and braved ADHD, dyslexia and a lisp. His mother would encourage him to go to the nearest movie theatre and watch films repeatedly to understand different aspects of cinema.

He pursued a six-month waiter's course and joined the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower as a waiter. He worked at the hotel for two years, saving the tips he received to purchase a camera with which he clicked and sold photos of local school matches for Rs25 each.

Boman Irani also helped his mother manage the family shop until his early thirties. He met his wife-to-be Zenobia for the first time at the shop. They got married in 1985 and have two children, Kayoze Irani and Danesh Irani.

Irani wanted to impress Aspi Adajania, president of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, to ensure that he could make a career in photography. He showed immense dedication and took wonderful photos of a boxing tournament. His persistence paid off and he was appointed the Indian team’s official photographer for the World Boxing Championship. He then got an opportunity to click Norwegian boxer Ole Klemetsen and there was no looking back.

Irani was introduced to ad man and theatre personality Alyque Padamsee by choreographer Shiamak Davar and he got a break as an actor in a play. He is known for his work as Gandhi in Mahatma vs Gandhi, and in the popular play I Am Not Bajirao. His performances and a part in a short film co-written by him attracted the attention of filmmakers.

Irani also appeared in television commercials for some leading brands. He then went on to win the hearts of audiences with his acting skills in Hindi films like Munna Bhai MBBS (2003), Don (2006), Khosla Ka Ghosla! (2006), 3 Idiots (2009), Don 2 (2011), Happy New Year (2014) and PK (2014). He has done comedy, negative as well as supporting roles in films. He made his Telugu film debut with Attharintiki Daaredhi (2013).

In 2004, Boman Irani won the Screen award for Best Performance in a Comic Role. He won the Filmfare award, Star Screen award and IIFA award for his perfomance in 3 Idiots. In 2013, he won the Kalakar award for Best Actor for his role in the movie Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi.

Boman Irani was a co-host at the IIFA award function for four years.