Updated on: 16 August, 2023 01:50 PM IST |Shweta Shah
August 16 marks the beginning of the Zoroastrian Calendar. On this day, the Parsi community comes together to celebrate the Parsi New Year. Lets take you through some amazing Bollywood movies that beautifully showcased the rich Parsi culture.
1. Pestonjee - 1987
Helmed by Vijaya Mehta, Pestonjee starred Anupam Kher, Shabana Azmi, Kirron Kher, and Naseeruddin Shah. The movie is based on the Parsi community, their mannerisms, and how close-knit they are as a community, especially those living in Bombay during the 1950s and 60s. Two best friends Phiroj Shah (Naseeruddin Shah) and Pestonjee (Anupam Kher) are very close to each other but things get complicated when the two fall for the same girl, Jeroo (Shabana Azmi).
2. Being Cyrus - 2005
A thriller-drama starring Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Naseeruddin Shah, and Boman Irani revolves around how a man enters into their lives and gets trapped in a complicated extra-marital affair. Directed by Homi Adajania, Being Cyrus gives a close peek into the Parsi community.
3. Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi - 2012
A modern-day adaptation of iconic Persian romantic poem 'Farhad And Shirin' by Nizami Ganjavi, the movie stars Farah Khan and Boman Irani in titular roles. An atypical romantic-comedy about families, weddings, relationships, and everything in between - Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi is a comical roller-coaster that will deep dive into the world of Parsi community.
4. Rustom - 2016
Headlined by Akshay Kumar and Ileana D'cruz, the movie revolves around naval officer Commander Rustom Pavri who is happily married to Cynthia Pavri. Things get complicated when Rustom finds out about his wife's affair with his friend Vikram (Arjan Bajwa) and kills him. However, was their extra-marital affair the real reason for Pavri to kill Vikram? Rustom is based on K. M. Nanavati's real-life battle for justice.
5. Maska - 2020
Determined to make a successful career in Bollywood, what happens when Rumi Irani (Prit Kamani) turns his back on his family's heirloom Parsi cafe? An out-and-out family drama, Maska stars Manisha Koirala, Shirley Sethia, Nikita Dutta, Boman Irani, and Javed Jafferi in prominent roles. The movie digs deep into the Parsi community, their food, culture, and family values.
6. Little Zizou - 2008
The Sooni Taraporevala-directed comedy drama went on to win the ‘Rajat Kamal’ of the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare. Little Zizou features Boman Irani, Imaad Shah, and Zenobia Shroff in the titular roles.The movie revolves around two Parsi families, the Pressvalas and the Khodaijis, who are involved in a constant feud. However, after several complicated fights and unexplained arguments, they finally decided to come to terms and be cordial with each other.
