Aruna Irani, a symbol of grit and resilience, came into films out of her adverse circumstances and became one of the medium’s greats with her versatility, sheer hard work, and determination. She worked as a child actress, a heroine, a vamp, a dancer, a character artist, as well as a director-producer, and made a unique place for herself.
Early Life and Career
Aruna Irani was born on August 18, 1946, in Mumbai. Her father, Faredun Irani, ran a drama troupe, and her mother, Saguna, was an actress. Aruna was a good student and had a dream to become a doctor. But she had to abandon her education after the sixth grade due to her family’s financial constraints.
Her career began as a child artist in the 1958 film “Shikwa,” followed by “Talaaq (1958)” and “Sarhad (1960).” The classic song “Insaf ki Dagar pe” in Dilip Kumar‘s “Gunga Jumna (1961)” was picturised on her. She went on to do many films as a child actress, such as “Gungi Ladki (1962),” “Anpadh (1962),” “Tarzan The Storm (1962),” “Zingaro (1963),” “Satyavan Savitri (1963),” “Parasmani (1963),” “Nartaki (1963),” “Jahanara (1964),” “Ganga Ki Lahren (1964),” and many more.
Intial Films and Breakthrough
Aruna’s talent shone through even in these early roles, setting the stage for a prolific career that would span over five decades and include more than 300 films across Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, and Gujarati cinema.
As a teenager, she continued to act in films such as “Farz (1967),” “Patthar Ke Sanam (1967),” “Upkar (1967),” “Anokhi Raat (1968), Tumse Achha Kaun Hai (1969), Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969), Oos Raat Ke Baad (1969), Samay Bada Balwan (1969), Aan Milo Sajna (1970), Safar (1970), The Train (1970), Man Mandir (1970), Ek Paheli (1970), and many more.
She starred alongside Mehmood in films such as Aulad (1968), Humjoli (1970), Devi (1970), Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong (1971), and Naya Zamana (1971). It was Mehmood who cast her as a lead opposite Amitabh Bachchan in “Bombay to Goa (1972).” Some of her other films as a lead are Garam Masala (1972) and Do Phool (1974).
Other Work
Aruna’s breakthrough came with Nasir Hussain’s “Caravan (1971),” where she got her first Filmfare Best Supporting Actress nomination. In Caravan, she danced on iconic songs “Chadti Jawani Meri,” “Goria Kahan Tera Desh,” and “Dilbar Dil Se Pyare.” After the immense popularity of these songs, She became the new dancing star of the 1970s. After the success of Carvan she did similiar roles in many iconic films like Andaz (1971), Sanjog (1971), Bobby (1973), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), Mili (1975), Khel Khel Mein (1975), Ranga Khush (1975), Fakira (1976), Sankoch (1976), Bhanwar (1976), Charas (1976), Shalimar (1978), Kartavya (1979), Surakshaa (1979) and many more.
Aruna Irani’s versatility as an actress allowed her to portray a wide range of characters. Initially, she was mainly cast as a dancer, or vamp in films. She gradually transitioned to character roles. Some of her notable films in the 1980s include Karz (1980), Qurbani (1980), Hum Paanch (1980), Red Rose (1980), Love Story (1981), Rocky (1981), Yaarana (1981), Kudrat (1981), Angoor (1982), Bemisal (1982), Bade Dil Wala (1983), Mawali (1983), Ghar Ek Mandir (1984), Masterji (1985), Bhago Bhut Aaya (1985), Naache Mayuri (1986), Dayavan (1986), Shahenshah (1986), among others.
The Iconic Character Actress
Her performances earned her numerous nominations and awards, and accolades including two Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actress. Her fisrt Filmfare came for Pet Pyaar Aur Paap in 1984. She got another for her iconic portrayal of an evil mother in his brother Indra Kumar’s “Beta (1992).” She holds the record for the most nominations in this category, ten. Her other nominations are Caravan, Bobby, Do Jhoot, Khoon Pasina, Rocky, Suhaag, Kartavya, and Ghulam-E-Mustafa.
In the 80s and 90s, she was part of the iconic team of Kader Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Govinda, and Asrani, which gave multiple hits. In this period she starred in films like Doodh Ka Karz (1990), Phool Aur Kaante (1991), Umar 55 Ki Dil Bachpan Ka (1992), Jeena Marna Tere Sang (1992), Hum Hain Kamaal Ke (1993), Raja Babu (1994), Laadla produced Bewafa Sanam (1995), Indian (1996), Chhote Sarkar (1996), Hameshaa (1997), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Saaz (1998), Saazish (1998), Kudrat (1998), Doli Saja Ke Rakhna (1994), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999), Aarzoo (1999), Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002), and many more.
TV Career
Aruna Irani made her TV debut in 1983 with “Kala Jal,” followed by Waqt Gujarta Hain (1987),” “Dharam Yuddh (1988),” “Zamana Badal Gaya (1994),” and others. In the early 2000s, she shifted her focus to television and produced and acted in many iconic serials like Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand (2001), Mehndi Tere Naam Ki (2000), Tum Bin Jaaoon Kahaan (2003), Zameen Se Aassman Tak (2005), Rabba Ishq Na Hove (2005), Vaidehi (2006), and Uzalo (2015).
Apart from her own productions, she also acted in serials like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Maayka, Jhansi Ki Rani, Dekha Ek Khwaab, Main Lakshmi Tere Aangan Ki, Bhagyalakshmi, Dastaan-E-Mohabbat Salim Anarkali, Porus, Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji and many more.
Apart from her own productions, she also acted in many other shows. Some of her notable serials include Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Maayka, Jhansi Ki Rani, Dekha Ek Khwaab, Main Lakshmi Tere Aangan Ki, Bhagyalakshmi, Dastaan-E-Mohabbat Salim Anarkali, Porus, Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji and many more.
Aruna Irani married film director Kuku Kohli in 1990.
Aruna Irani on IMDB
