Parsis are hands down the most fun, chilled and intelligent people I know and I know a lot of people because I am cool. Due to the fact that there are a rather few remaining; (seriously, the Central Government has started this scheme called Jiyo Parsi to encourage brand new Parsi babies) and that their eccentricities and wacky sense of humour is legendary, there is a stand-up comedy act based on this wonderful community written by Meherzad Patel and enacted by Danesh Irani! It’s called The Last Parsi and the show is about a man who believes that he is a blue blood royal (like all other Parsis). He talks about how he is secretly the grandson of the Queen of England sent over to Bombay to blend in with the crowd. Sounds interesting, eh? On that note, check out some of the best Parsi portrayals in Bollywood movies!
1) Dimple Kapadia as Katy (Being Cyrus)
Dimple Kapadia is one of the finest actresses we have and her portrayal of the kompletely krazy Katy (see what I did there?) in Homi Adajania‘s psychological thriller Being Cyrus is one of her greatest work we have ever seen. Also, Being Cyrus is one of the best movies we have seen where the characters are predominantly Parsi!
2) Naseeruddin Shah as Phirojshah (Pestonjee)
Naseeruddin Shah killed it (as always) as the quiet, thoughtful and indecisive Phirojshah in the 1987 movie Pestonjee. A rather intimate look into the intricacies of the Parsi community, Pestonjee won the National Award for the Best Feature Film In Hindi.
3) Boman Irani as Farhad Pastakia (Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi)
Boman Irani as Farhad in Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi was so cute! I think he made ‘adorkable‘ happen in Bollywood with his role in this movie!
4) Sharman Joshi as Russy (Ferrari Ki Sawaari)
Sharman Joshi’s portrayal as the honest, doting and the greatest dad in the world, Russy in the heartwarming Ferrari Ki Sawaari was equivalent to having hot chocolate on a cold December night!
5) Ashok Kumar as Homi Mistry (Khatta Meetha)
Ashok Kumar is a legend in every way and his character Homi Mistry in Khatta Meetha was one of the most forward thinking Bollywood characters of 1970’s Bollywood! Way to go sir.
Who are your favourite Parsi characters in Bollywood? Tell me quick!
Don’t forget to watch Danesh Irani perform The Last Parsi on Saturday 11th October, at St. Andrews Auditorium, Bandra (West) 7pm onwards! Tickets available bookmyshow.com and the venue.