New Delhi : Actor, filmmaker, and mentor Boman Irani brought sharp focus to the art of screenwriting during his session at the International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD) 2026, while also being present for the screening of his film The Mehta Boys.
Drawing from his personal journey, he spoke candidly about the struggle of transforming ideas into compelling screenplays. He emphasized that while powerful stories are abundant, the real challenge lies in structuring them effectively for cinema.
Through his initiative Spiral Bound, Irani has led over 800 free mentoring sessions for aspiring writers in the past six years. What began as a small effort during the pandemic has evolved into a sustained platform for nurturing storytelling talent.
He underscored that every successful film begins with a well-crafted screenplay, noting that direction, performance, and execution all stem from the written word.
“We have some of the greatest stories in this country, but there is a science to turning them into a screenplay. Without that, nothing moves forward,” he said during the session.
He also shared his vision of expanding opportunities for emerging writers through workshops and global exposure, aiming to strengthen the foundation of storytelling in Indian cinema.
His presence at the festival, both as a mentor and for the screening of The Mehta Boys, added depth to the ongoing conversation at IFFD 2026 around building a stronger, skill-driven creative ecosystem.