– “She was, and always will be… A Star,” says son Boman Irani, in a Heartfelt Tribute –

The community came together in mourning and to stand by one of our most cherished icons – actor Boman Irani, on the passing of his mother – Jerbanoo Irani, on 9th June, 2021. A grand old lady in every way, she passed away at the age of 94, early Wednesday morning, due to an age-related illness, at their residence in Mumbai.

Sharing the sad news, actor extraordinaire Boman, paid the following heart-felt tribute to his mother:

“Mother Irani passed away peacefully in her sleep early this morning. 

Jer was 94. She played the role of both mother and father to me,since she was 32. What a spirit she was. Filled with funny stories that only she could tell. 

The longest arm that always dug deep into her pockets, even when there wasn’t much there. 

When she sent me to the movies, she made sure all the compound kids came with me. ‘Don’t forget the popcorn’ she would say. 

She loved her food and her songs and she could fact-check Wikipedia and IMDb in a flash. Sharp, sharp, sharp, till the very end. 

She always said, “You are not an actor for people to praise you. You are an actor only so you can make people smile.”

“Make people happy,” She said. 

Last night she asked for Malai Kulfi and some mango. She could have asked for the moon and the stars if she wished. 

She was, and always will be……. A Star.”

Known for their exemplary mother-son bond, mother Jerbanoo and son Boman were admired and adored equally by all. While Jerbanoo set the course for her son’s unparalleled success – as an exceptional personality and an outstanding artiste and connoisseur, Boman left no stone unturned to make his mother a very proud lady. 

The radiant Jerbanoo Irani has been one of the main driving forces behind Boman’s innumerable achievements, which have done the nation and our community so proud over the years. She took over the reign of the family business, after the unfortunate and untimely passing of her husband, six months before Boman was born (December, 1959), single-handedly providing for and bringing up her family. Her life serves as an inspirational celebration, as she leaves behind a legacy laced with virtue, grit, benevolence and magnanimity.

Last year, Parsi Times had shared with our readers, as ‘Mother Irani’ turned 94 on 18th November. On her birthday, Boman had shared a beautiful pic of the two of them, accompanied with a touching note. Praising his mother as, “the greatest,” Boman had shared, “You’re 94 Ma! You have inspired a generation and more. Your sense of humour has chased away every blue moment in our blessed lives. We were never allowed to miss a thing. You made sure of that. The boxer Ali, said it best. I will say it with a twist! ‘You Are The Greatest, Mother Irani!’”

As Mother Irani embarks on her divine journey in heaven, she is sure to add the extra shine with her own inner brilliance. May her soul attain Garothman Behest! On behalf of the community, we share our deepest, heart-felt condolences with Boman Irani, may God give him and his family the strength to cope and heal from this sad loss.