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Saluting the Parsi stalwarts of Bollywood on Navroze - the Parsi New Year!
Parsis are undoubtedly the most chilled-out and fun loving people around. They are mostly portrayed as Rustom and shown as the most friendly people with a little different appearance. Today we are saluting to the enterprising spirit of the Parsis on the Navroze - the Parsi New Year in contributing immensely to arts, trade and industry of India. So, here's the list of some of the most popular Parsis in tinseltown, not in any particular order.
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Diana Penty
Born in Mumbai, in a Parsi-Christian family Diana started her career as a model. Diana made her acting debut in Homi Adajania's commercially successful romantic comedy Cocktail. Her performance in the film garnered praise and earned her a nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Diana is an active celebrity endorser and has been associated with many big brands.
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John Abraham
John Abraham - born as Farhan Abraham to a Malayali Nasrani father and a Parsi mother, John Abraham is a popular model, actor, and now a producer. He made his film debut with Jism, followed by Dhoom and Water, to name a few. John has also produced critically acclaimed flicks like Vicky Donor and Madras Cafe. He was last seen in Force 2 and is now gearing up for his next Parmanu: The Story Of Pokhran.
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Amyra Dastur
Amyra made her Bollywood debut with Issaq, opposite Prateik Babbar. She started her career at the age of 16 as a model in a few commercials. She was also seen in Mukesh Bhatt's sci-fi thriller Mr. X alongside Emraan Hashmi. Apart from Bollywood Amyra has also worked in South. She had also acted in a Tamil movie, Anegan alongside National Award Winner Dhanush and Nominated for SIIMA Award for Best Debut Actress - Tamil. She was also a part of Jackie Chan's Kung Fu Yoga.
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Farhan Akhtar
The multifaceted Farhan Akhtar is the son of eminent lyricist Javed Akhtar and a Parsi mother, Honey Irani. He started his career as a director and made movies like Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya, Don and more. Farhan is also a successful screenwriter, producer, actor, playback singer, lyricist and television host. Rock On!!, Luck By Chance, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Dil Dhadakne Do are some of the movies Farhan has acted in.
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Boman Irani
Born into a Parsi family, Boman is a professional photographer and actor. He started with advertisements for Fanta and Krackjack biscuits and later featured in movies like Munnabhai M.B.B.S., Main Hoon Na, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Dostana, 3 Idiots and many more. Before entering the acting arena Boman has worked at Taj Mahal Palace & Tower as a waiter.
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Nauheed Cyrusi
Nauheed Cyrusi Born to a Parsi Family, Cyrusi originally wanted to travel by becoming an air hostess, but after modeling for three years, she decided to become an actress. Nauheed Cyrusi has done music videos like Piya Basanti. She has also been seen in a number of advertisements on television and print media. She made her Bollywood debut in Padam Kumar's Supari.
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Ronnie Screwvala
Founder and CEO of UTV Group, Ronnie Screwvala has produced various hits. He is the co-founder of UpGrad, an online education company. His filmography includes Rang De Basanti, Life In A... Metro, Chup Chup Ke, Jodhaa Akbar and many more.
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Shiamak Davar
Shiamak Davar is an Indian choreographer, noted as one of the first to bring contemporary jazz and western forms of dance to India. Shiamak Davar has been titled of being 'The Guru' of modern and contemporary dance. Bollywood actors Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Sushant Singh Rajput were members of the Shiamak Davar Dance Company. He is known for his popular dance sequences in movies like Taal, Kisna, Bunty Aur Babli and Mission Impossible 4.
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Farooq Sheikh
One of the finest actors in Bollywood, Late Farooq Sheikh was half-Parsi, born to Muslim father Mustafa Shaikh and Parsi Mother Farida. He is popularly known for his roles in Noorie, Chashme Buddoor, Umrao Jaan, Kissi Se Na Kehna, Biwi Ho To Aisi and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. His major contribution was in Parallel Cinema or the New Indian Cinema. He worked with directors like Satyajit Ray, Muzaffar Ali, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Ketan Mehta.
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Perizaad Zorabian
Perizaad Zorabian Born in Parsi family, Perizaad Zorabian made her Bollywood debut with Nagesh Kukunoor's Bollywood Calling, while she gained recognition with Subhash Ghai's Joggers' Park.
