‘Told them I couldn’t afford it’: When Boman Irani gave a tour of his home, which Anil Kapoor encouraged him to buy

After spending 46 years in a heritage property in Piccola, Bombay Central, Boman and his family found themselves at a crossroads when their old building was set to be redeveloped. “Even then, it didn’t look nice,” he admits. It had lost its charm. While searching for a new place, they were drawn to a quaint neighbourhood with an old-world aura. That’s where they discovered their current home — a modest three-bedroom flat in a new building.

But buying the home wasn’t a straightforward decision. “We were shown a three-bedroom apartment, but I told them I couldn’t afford it,” Boman said. With Munna Bhai MBBS just signed, Boman was still calculating EMIs and second-guessing the feasibility of the purchase. A chance conversation with Anil Kapoor on set gave him the needed push. “You can’t buy square feet. Sleep on the floor if you have to, but buy the flat,” Kapoor had advised. And Boman did.

Today, that flat has been their home for over 14 years. It’s not just a residence; it’s a reflection of who they are — a couple who carefully curates every corner together. From the colour of the walls, which took multiple paint jobs to perfect, to every piece of art and furniture, everything holds a story. “We work as a team,” says Boman. “If one of us doesn’t like something, it simply doesn’t come into the house.”

At the heart of their home is their family room — a space where everyone has their spot and evenings are often spent together. But it’s Boman’s personal “quiet place” that holds special significance. Designed like a mini-theater with reclining seats, a drop-down screen, and shelves lined with DVDs and Blu-rays — it’s his creative haven. “All my reading, writing, and thinking happens here,” he says. “If ever you must lose sleep, let it be over a good idea.”

His passion for cinema is evident in his extensive Blu-ray collection — the only thing he truly collects. “Even though it’s becoming obsolete, each one holds a memory. I can remember where I bought it, when, and why.”

Home is also the base for the family’s most cherished traditions — including multiple “holiday meetings” where Boman is the most enthusiastic planner. “Money can buy a fancy holiday, but nostalgia is sacred,” he reflects. This sense of rootedness keeps the family strong — the comfort of knowing who you are when the cameras are off and you’re just you.

As Boman puts it, “There are two versions of us — the work self and the home self. The innocent version, the truest version of us, lives at home.”