Cyrus Broacha Wiki, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Cyrus Broacha is an Indian anchor, theatre personality, comedian, and author. In 2023, he appeared as a contestant on season 2 of Bigg Boss OTT. The show streamed on JioCinema. He is well-known for his comedy podcast ‘Cyrus Says’ and TV show ‘MTV Bakra.’

Wiki/Biography

Cyrus Broacha was born on Saturday, 7 August 1971 (age 52 years; as of 2023) in Bombay, Maharashtra. His zodiac sign is Leo. When he was five years old, he played the role of a swindler in a theatre play at his school titled ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes.’ When he was studying in school, he used to participate every year in theatrical productions and write in the school’s magazine. He used to win prizes in English and drama. He studied law at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai; however, he did not finish his law course ^[1]Rediff Later, he went to New York to study acting for theatre at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. After he came back from New York to India, he acted in many advertisements, TV shows, and plays. In an interview, on being asked about whether he was a quiet kid, he said,

Not really, in fact, not at all. That was my one problem. I was completely not quiet. I remember my first report card. My father took it out the other day when some relatives had come from abroad. They were going through the album. Suddenly you see what you were like after all these years. There was a third or fourth standard report card, which had a remark: ‘He has potential to score more marks but as usual is always talking’. This was the principal’s exact remark. I was very proud of it. Ha! Ha! That day they were making fun of me; today I am making money because I am talking.”

A childhood image of Cyrus Broacha in 1983

Physical Appearance

^[2]Cyrus Broacha – Instagram Height: 5′ 8″

^[3]Cyrus Broacha – Instagram Weight: 86 kg

Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper

Eye Colour: Black

Family

He belongs to a middle-class family in Bharuch, Gujarat. ^[4]Rediff His father is Parsi, and his mother is catholic. His forefathers moved from Rawalpindi to India after the India-Pakistan partition in 1947. ^[5]Daily Times

Parents & Siblings

His father’s name is Farokh Broacha, a lawyer, who has passed away. His mother’s name is Olivia Broacha. He has an elder sister named Giselle.

Wife & Children

In 2001, he got married to Ayesha Broacha, a photographer, artist, and illustrator. The couple has a daughter named Maya Broacha and a son named Mikhail Broacha.

Signature/Autograph

Career

Radio Jockey

When he was studying in college, he hit the spotlight when he participated in the Malhar festival of his college. He gained recognition as a radio jockey when FM radio was quite popular in India.

 

Film

In 1987, at the age of 15, he debuted as a child actor with the Hindi action film ‘Jalwa,’ starring Naseeruddin Shah and Archana Puran Singh in lead roles, in which he played a supporting role as Jyothi’s younger brother.

In 2009, he played the role of Zaramud, a small-time crook in Mumbai who earns money by duplicating mobile phone sim cards, in the Hindi crime comedy film ’99.’ He appeared in a lead role as Jolly Maker, an innocent and half-witted guy, in a Bollywood comedy ‘Fruit and Nut’ released in 2009.

In 2015, he played the supporting role of a talk show host in the Hindi romantic drama film ‘Roy’ starring Ranbir Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez in lead roles.

Theatre

In 1988, he performed professionally for the first time in a theatrical production titled ‘Brighton Beach Memoirs.’ His performance in the play turned out to be a breakthrough role for him after which he was cast in many theatre plays. He has acted in more than 20 commercial theatrical productions.

TV Show

In 1999, he appeared as Cyrus in Zee TV’s sitcom ‘Hello Friends,’ which was a Hindi version of one of the most popular American sitcoms ‘Friends.’ His character Cyrus was inspired by Chandler Bing.

In 1999, he hosted the TV show ‘MTV Bakra’ in which he played funny pranks and practical jokes on unsuspecting civilians and celebrities and shoot their reactions using hidden cameras. In 2006, he began to host CNN-News18’s satirical late-night TV program ‘The Week That Wasn’t.’

 

In 2007, he appeared as a contestant on Sony TV’s dance reality show ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’ season 2. In 2010, he participated as a contestant in Colours TV’s action reality TV show ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi 3’ hosted by Priyanka Chopra. He secured the 10th position in the show. In 2023, he participated in season 2 of the reality TV show ‘Bigg Boss OTT’ which streamed on JioCinema.

Host

He has also worked as a host for various shows and corporate events. When he became more famous as a host, MTV appointed him to work as an anchor with them. After a while, his reputation grew significantly as he became the main face of MTV. In an interview, while talking about how he cleared the audition for MTV’s video jockey, he said,

I auditioned actually in a very strange way because TV18 was pitching to make software for MTV. There was this show called MTV-U. But amongst us aspiring VJ’s they had a competition. The only reason I think I got it was because I was so scared. I’m not a guy who has climbed mountains. But we had to rappel on a seven-storied building in YMCA, Byculla, and climb down. At the point at which you had to go over the terrace, you are actually on the verge of a free fall. I thought this is not worth it. Forget TV shows, I would do my bad plays and make money. It was really a funny moment because I was grabbing my abdomen and saying, ‘Boss, I want to come down’. People were having great fun but actually, my pants were wet inside. The worst part was that when I came down, the cameraman tells me, ‘I didn’t get the shot, can we do it again?.”

He has had the opportunity to interview the Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. He has also hosted several cricket shows, including Ten Sports’ notable show ‘Chevrolet Cricket Show.’ Throughout his career, he has interviewed many cricketers from various generations. He hosts NDTV’s show ‘Greenathon’ every year. He works as a host and editor for the popular cricket analysis series titled ESPNcricinfo Runorder. This bi-weekly show features esteemed former cricketers such as Ajit Agarkar, Tait, and Hogg.

 

Podcast

In 2015, he started the popular comedy podcast ‘Cyrus Says’ in which he interviews and chats with many famous personalities and celebrities such as actors, sportspersons, and artists. In an interview, he talked about how he started ‘Cyrus Says’ and said,

From working in radio and television to hosting Bollywood birthday parties dressed as a dinosaur, I’ve done it all. Some of that stuff I can’t even share with my children. As an entertainer, you do whatever you can to survive. Podcasts happened when I met Amit Doshi (Founder, IVM) at a Starbucks cafe. He told me, in a thick American accent, that I would be perfect for podcasts. At the time I had no clue about the medium but pretended like I did.”

 

Author

In January 2010, he launched his book titled ‘Karl, Aaj aur Kal,’ which is a semi-autobiographical comic book in which he wrote about celebrities, Bollywood, and politics.

In 2011, he launched his second book, ‘The Average Indian Male.’ He also works as a columnist for two prominent national newspapers and two magazines. Some other books published by him are ‘Netagiri’ (2014), ’23 and 1/2 Ways to Make a Girl Fall for You’ (2016), and 231/2 Ways to Make a Girl Fall for You (2019).

Commercials

He has appeared in many TV commercials and advertisements for many brands and companies including Dell, Pepsi, and Unacademy.

 

Controversy

Defamation Case

In 2013, the Tamil Nadu government filed a defamation case against again Cyrus Broacha for commenting on the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalithaa’s letter to the then Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, requesting that Sri Lankan players should not be permitted to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on CNN News18’s TV show ‘The Week That Wasn’t.’ ^[6]The Hindu

Awards

• Best News Anchor – News/Current Affairs show for the TV show ‘The Week That Wasn’t’ at the Indian Television Academy Awards (2007)

• Best Actor – Comedy for the TV show ‘The Week That Wasn’t’ at the Indian Television Academy Awards (2008, 2009, 2011)

• Popular Comedy-Creators Award at the Indian Television Academy Awards (2015)

• Best Show Host Award at the Indian Audio Summit and Awards (2023)
  

  Cyrus Broacha at Indian Audio Summit & Awards 2023

Favourites

• Actor: Amitabh Bachchan

• Cricketer(s): Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev

• Singer: Elvis Presley

• Food: Pathia, Lagan Nu Custard, Kachcha Kairi

Facts/Trivia

• He is a fitness enthusiast and is often spotted working out in a gym. In an interview, while talking about his fitness regime, he shared that he did not follow a strict diet, he said,
  

  My diet is more in than out. I just keep eating. I take 18-20 eggs and three protein shakes a day. I have given up alcohol; I was a heavy drinker till 2015. I try different diets but I can’t sacrifice the taste of food. I don’t have a cheat day, but I can’t resist potato chips and those rangeen drinks that kids have. I have a six-year-old’s palate. I can resist cake and all, but I love shrikhand – any malai-based stuff.”

  

  Cyrus Broacha while working out in the gym

• He is an animal lover and has two pet dogs named Mary and Peter. According to him, he feels the happiest when he is contacting with a stray dog or cat.
  

  Cyrus Broacha with his dogs

• In February 2002, he worked as a moderator for the Indian segment of ‘Be Heard – A Global Discussion With Colin Powell.’

• In 2016, he led India’s ‘Rock the Vote’ campaign.

• In an interview, he revealed that he sweats a lot and had never worn a sweater. ^[7]Parsi Times

• He can bench press 380 pounds without a spot.

• He is a huge fan of cricket.

• He considers the actor Naseeruddin Shah as his role model and Dave Barry, Woody Allen, and Ricky Gervais as his inspiration.

• In 2016 and 2019, he gave a TEDx speech.
  

  Cyrus Broacha during his TEDx speech in 2019

• He has represented MTV at the UNAIDS conference held in Hanover, Germany.

• He follows a non-vegetarian diet and does not consume alcohol.
  

  Cyrus Broacha’s Instagram post about his non-vegetarian meal