Film like 'Well Done Abba' comes once in a while: Boman Irani

The 52-year-old actor, who debuts as a lead artist with the film, says playing a simpleton was much more difficult than his eccentric roles in movies like 'Munnabhai' and '3 Idiots. The film, produced by Reliance Big Pictures, also stars Minissha Lamba and Sammir Dattani and releases tomorrow.

"I usually go with roles that I find entertaining. But once in a while, there comes along a film that has an important social message. As actors, we have a certain responsibility toward our audience.

I am happy to be involved with such a project that raises social issues," Boman told reporters in an interview. The actor plays the character of Armaan Ali, a simpleton, who gets entangled in the system. How he gets together with his headstrong daughter Muskaan, and fights the system, lies at the heart of the story.

"Armaan Ali is a common man, he is every man. He has no eccentricities. The challenge for me was how to make this simple character interesting. So that audiences would identify with him," said Boman. The actor said Benegal's film has a universal appeal.

"Shyam Benegal has found a lovely voice in this film. We've all seen the kind of cinema he's come up with over the years. His films like 'Mandi', 'Manthan', 'Sooraj Ka Saatvan Ghoda' all have revolutionised the face of Indian cinema. And in 'Well Done Abba' he has once again found a relevant subject, which even youngsters can relate with," Boman said.

The actor, one of the busiest character artists in the industry, is on a roll with five new films up his sleeve. 'Hum Tum aur Ghost' releases this Friday and 'Housefull' comes out end of April. He is also shooting for 'Crooked' which is an Excel Entetainment production while 'Dostana 2' and 'Don 2' are in the pipeline.