Kayoze Says “Cinema, Not Commerce, Drives Discussion” With Dad Boman

MUMBAI- Actor-director Kayoze Irani, who recently made his directorial debut with the streaming film Sarzameen, has opened up about the deep creative and emotional bond he shares with his father, veteran actor Boman Irani.

Speaking about the film’s promotions, Kayoze described their conversations as blending “philosophy through humour,” and said their shared love for cinema has been a lifelong connection.

“We’ve always bonded over films—whether it was Hindi classics, European cinema, Japanese masterpieces, or Hollywood greats,” Kayoze shared. “Back in the day, we’d watch DVDs together, even hunt for them while travelling. After every film, we’d discuss it passionately—and often disagree! I’d say, ‘I liked this,’ and he’d say, ‘You’re wrong.’ That hasn’t changed.”

This love for storytelling has naturally carried over into their professional lives. Kayoze revealed that both father and son are involved in each other’s creative processes. “I sat with him while working on the script for Sarzameen, and he’s involved me in the writing and editing process of his film The Mehta Boys. But never in a prescriptive way—he doesn’t say, ‘Do this or that.’ It’s more about gently guiding, helping me stay true to my voice while moving forward.”

He emphasized that their discussions always come from a place of cinematic integrity. “It’s never about what’s commercial. It’s about what moved us, what made us feel something. That’s the lens we use. We genuinely align on what we love about films, and that helps us connect deeply at home.”

Looking ahead, Kayoze added that his father remains a trusted creative sounding board. “Whatever my next script is, it’ll definitely go through him.”

Sarzameen is now streaming on JioHotstar. (IANS)