OT: Which is your favourite hotel in the world?
Boman Irani: 51 Buckingham Gate, Taj Suites and Residences (from £293; 51-buckinghamgate.com), London. I first visited it eight years ago. Since then I have stayed there seven or eight times — sometimes for a shoot, sometimes with friends and family. Six years ago, I stayed almost a month while shooting Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal.

OT: When did you last visit?
Boman Irani: Last year, after the IIFA show in June, I stopped there on my way back from Toronto. Some old friends joined me and we had a blast.

OT: What keeps you coming back?
Boman Irani: Well, it is minutes away from Buckingham Palace (three buildings down) and very central. Each room is like a small apartment with a big hall, kitchen and bedroom. It’s like a beautiful British home. The staff knows me well. General manager Prabhat Verma; Araceli Rius Perez, a Spanish lady who is the hotel manager; and Sergei, the chief concierge, are all very helpful. 

OT: Any special memories?
Boman Irani: I love the food there. They even cook dhansak for me. If I make special requests during Parsi festivals, they always oblige me — it’s a Parsi hotel after all! On Navroz, they decorated a table for me and put out a lot of traditional sweets, just like we do at home.

OT: Will you visit again soon?
Boman Irani: Oh yes, I am just off with my buddies, foodie Kunal Vijaykar and Fali Unwalla, architect and set designer. We decided to do this after watching Dil Chahta Hai; now after eleven years, we are finally going.