Aruna Irani (born 18 August 1946)[1] is an Indian actress, who has acted in over 500 films throughout Hindi, Kannada, Marathi and Gujarati cinema, playing mostly supporting and character roles. She received two Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actress for Pet Pyaar Aur Paap (1984) and Beta (1992), and holds the record for the most nominations in the category (10). In January 2012, Irani was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award at the 57th Filmfare Awards.

Aruna Irani
Aruna Irani in 2012
Born (1946-08-18) 18 August 1946 (age 78)
Occupation(s)Actress, Director
Spouse
(m. 1990)
RelativesIndra Kumar (brother)
Adi Irani (brother)
Firoz Irani (brother)
Balraj Irani (brother)
Bindu (cousin)

Early life

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Aruna Irani was born in Mumbai, India to an Irani father and a Hindu mother. Her father Faredun Irani ran a drama troupe, and her mother Saguna was an actress. She is the eldest of eight siblings. She was fond of studies and wanted to become a doctor.[2] But she had to give up studies after sixth standard because her family did not have enough money to educate all the children.[3] She claims to have learnt dancing while working in the films because she could not afford professional training from a master.[4] Her brothers Indra Kumar, Adi Irani and Firoz Irani are all associated with the film industry. Actress Bindu is her cousin.[citation needed]

Career

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Aruna Irani made her debut as a child artist in the film Gunga Jumna (1961) playing Azra's childhood character. She then acted in the film Anpadh (1962) as Mala Sinha's childhood character. She next did several small roles in films such as Jahanara (1964), Farz (1967), Upkar (1967) and Aaya Sawan Jhoomke (1969). She later acted with comedian Mehmood in films such as Aulad (1968), Humjoli (1970), Devi (1970) and Naya Zamana (1971).

In 1971, she starred in Caravan, as a knife-thrower, earning her first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. She later starred in Mehmood Ali's Bombay To Goa (1972), Garam Masala (1972) and Do Phool (1973). Her films have included Farz (1967), Bobby (1973), Fakira (1976), Sargam (1979), Red Rose (1980), Love Story (1981), and Rocky (1981), earning nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for Bobby and Rocky. She also starred in Do Jhoot (1975) and Khoon Pasina (1977) which earned her two more nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

After having lost the award five time, she won her first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for Pet Pyaar Aur Paap (1984).[5]

In the late 1980s and 1990s, Irani switched to playing motherly roles, notably in Beta (1992), for which she won her second Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.[6] She earned two more nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performances in Suhaag (1994) and Kartavya (1995). She acted in the Kannada remake of the same film with the same role. Some of her Marathi films are Aandhla Marto Dola, Bhingari, Changu Mangu, Lapwa Chapvi, Ek Gadi Baki Anadi, Mitwaa and Bol Baby Bol.

She earned her record-setting tenth nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Ghulam-E-Mustafa (1997).

In her later career, Irani also switched to television, performing character roles in various serials. She also took up direction and production of tele-serials such as Mehndi Tere Naam Ki, Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand, Rabba Ishq Na Hove, Vaidehi and more.[7]

On 19 February 2012, she was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.[8]

Personal life

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She is married to Bollywood film director in 1990 Kuku Kohli.[9][10]

Filmography

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Year Film Role
1958 Shikwa
1958 Talaq
1960 Sarhad
1961 Gunga Jumna Child Kamla
Gungi Ladki
1962 Tarzan The Storm
1962 Anpadh Child Lajwanti
1963 Zingaro
1963 Satyavan Savitri
1963 Parasmani Bijli
1963 Nartaki Lakshmi's Colleague
1964 Jahanara
Ganga Ki Lahren
1966 Kalapi
Spy in Goa Lilli
1967 Farz
Patthar Ke Sanam
Upkar
1968 Anokhi Raat
Aulad
1969 Tumse Achha Kaun Hai
Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke
Anjaan Hai Koi
Oos Raat Ke Baad
Samay Bada Balwan
1970 Humjoli
Aan Milo Sajna
Safar
The Train
1971 Naya Zamana
Man Mandir
Ek Paheli
Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong
Ek Naari Ek Brahmchari
Caravan Nisha
Buddha Mil Gaya
Andaz
Sanjog
1972 Garam Masala
Bombay to Goa
1973 Bobby
Do Phool
1974 Prem Nagar
Roti Kapda Aur Makaan
Har Har Mahadev
1975 Deewaar (Uncredited)
Mili
Do Jasoos
Dharamjeet (Punjabi film) (Dual role)
Khel Khel Mein
Ranga Khush
1976 Santo Banto (Punjabi film) Santo / Banto (dual role)
Sankoch
Bhanwar
Charas
Sangram
Fakira
Zindagi Sudha N. Shukla
Laila Majnu
Rangaa Aur Raja
Apnapan
Duniyadaari
Do Chehere
Khoon Pasina
Jadu Tona
1978 Shalimar
Khoon Ki Pukaar
1979 Gol Maal
Jaani Dushman
Kartavya Lachhi
Surakshaa Ruby
1980 Beqasoor
Karz
Kali Ghata Pinky
Morcha
Qurbani
Judaai Miss Lily, dancer
Phir Wohi Raat Shobha
Hum Paanch Nishi
Jwalamukhi
1981 Kaaran
Aas Paas
Commander
Rocky
Jyoti
Love Story
Thee (Tamil film) Item dancer
Yaarana
Kudrat
Ammakkorumma
Lawaaris
1982 Angoor
Bemisal
Brij Bhoomi
1983 Ek Din Bahu Ka
Bade Dil Wala
Thai Veedu (Tamil film)
Jhutha Sach
Mawali
1984 Pet Pyaar Aur Paap
Ghar Ek Mandir
1985 Paththar
Masterji
Patthar Dil
Bhago Bhut Aaya Nirmala / Manorama
Aaj Ka Daur
Piya Ke Gaon [11]
Dikri Chaali Sasariye
Lallu Ram Champa
1986 Naache Mayuri
1987 Insaniyat Ke Dushman
1988 Dayavan
Ek Gadi Baaki Anadi
Janam Janam
Mera Muqaddar Shanti
Mere Baad
Inteqam
Bees Saal Baad
Zulm Ko Jala Doonga
Shahenshah
1989 ChaalBaaz
1990 Changu Mangu (Marathi film)
Majboor
Doodh Ka Karz (Hindi & Marathi)
Bandh Darwaza Mahua Daayan Kunka
Jungle Love
1991 Brahmarshi Vishwamitra
Phool Aur Kaante
Shanti Kranti
1992 Kisme Kitna Hai Dum[12] Vijay Singh's wife
Lambu Dada
Beta
Umar 55 Ki Dil Bachpan Ka
Jeena Marna Tere Sang
1993 Annayya (Kannada film) Nagamani
Hum Hain Kamaal Ke
1994 Anokha Premyudh
Raja Babu
Laadla
Suhaag
1995 Bewafa Sanam
1996 Indian
Chhote Sarkar
1997 Hameshaa
Dil To Pagal Hai
1998 Saaz
Saazish
Kudrat
Doli Saja Ke Rakhna
1999 Zulmi
Haseena Maan Jaayegi
Aarzoo
2002 Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam Laxmi
2010 Khatta Meetha
2014 Bol Baby Bol (Marathi film)
2015 Mitwaa Rosie aunty
2019 Chaal Jeevi Laiye! (Gujarati film) Dr. Vadia (guest appearance)
2022 Kahani Rubberband Ki
2024 Ghudchadi Kalyani Devi

Television shows

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Year Show Character Notes
1995-1997 Zamana Badal Gaya Veena Lead
2001-2005 Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand Teji Also as a producer under AK Films
2000–2002 Mehndi Tere Naam Ki Sharada Jayant Malik
2003–2005 Tum Bin Jaaoon Kahaan Shalini Avinash Mathur
2005-2006 Zameen Se Aassman Tak Balraj's Mother
2005-2006 Rabba Ishq Na Hove Veera's Mother
2006 Vaidehi Sita
2006-2007 Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki Narayani Devi Balaji Telefilms
2007 Maayka Durga Khurana
2007-2009 Babul Ki Bitiya Chali Doli Saja Ke Dadima Also as a producer under AK Films
2007-2009 Naaginn Maasa/ Triveni
2008 Saas v/s Bahu Judge
2009-2011 Jhansi Ki Rani Vahini Sahiba
2010-2011 Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Rajrani
2011-2012 Dekha Ek Khwaab Rajmata Mrinalini Devi Lead
2011-2012 Main Lakshmi Tere Aangan Ki Sharda Agnihotri
2012 Parichay — Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka Sulekha Diwan
2013–2014 Sanskaar - Dharohar Apno Ki Ansuya Vaishnav
2015-2016 Bhagyalakshmi Vasundhara Prajapati [13]
2015 Uzalo Producer of AK Films Producer
2016 Saubhagyalakshmi Vasundhara Prajapati
2018 Porus The Oracle
2018-2019 Dastaan-E-Mohabbat Salim Anarkali Hamida Banu Begum (Mariam Makani)
2019 Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji Mrs Khosla
2019 The Kapil Sharma Show Herself
2019 Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai Herself [14]

Awards and nominations

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Film
Year Award Film Category Result Ref.
1972 Filmfare Awards Caravan Best Supporting Actress Nominated
1974 Bobby Nominated
1976 Do Jhoot Nominated
1978 Khoon Pasina Nominated
1982 Rocky Nominated
1985 Pet Pyaar Aur Paap Won [5]
1993 Beta Won [6]
1995 Suhaag Nominated
1996 Kartavya Nominated
1998 Ghulam-E-Mustafa Nominated
2012 Lifetime Achievement Award Won [8]
1993 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards Beta Best Supporting Actress (Hindi) Won
2020 Maharashtra State Film Awards Raj Kapoor Award Honoured
Television
Year Award Show Category Result Ref.
2003 Indian Telly Awards Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand Best Weekly Show Won[a]
Best Programme of the Year Won
Best Director Won[b]
2004 Best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominated
2006 Vaidehi Nominated
2007 Maayka Best Actress in a Negative Role Nominated
2008 Gold Awards Naaginn Best Actress in a Supporting Role Won

Notes

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  1. ^ Tied with Sanjivani.
  2. ^ Tied with Sourabh Narang for Haqeeqat.

References

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  1. ^ "Aruna Irani Birthday: बॉलिवुड की सबसे खतरनाक खलनायिका थीं अरुणा ईरानी, इस एक डर ने काम छोड़ने पर कर दिया था मजबूर". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  2. ^ EP-37- Tell-all with veteran actress Aruna Irani - ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash on YouTube
  3. ^ Meera Joshi (3 September 2013). "Mehmood & I never married - Aroona Irani". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  4. ^ Gaurav Malani (31 January 2012). "Aruna Irani on winning the Lifetime Achievement Award". ETimes. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Filmfare Awards: Aruna Irani wins the Lifetime Achievement Award". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  6. ^ a b "5 lesser known facts about Aruna Irani | Tata Sky Blog Buster". Tata Sky Blogbuster. 17 August 2018. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  7. ^ "'An actor should consider no role small or big': Aruna Irani". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  8. ^ a b "Aruna Irani on winning the Lifetime Achievement Award". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  9. ^ HT Entertainment Desk (20 February 2022). "Aruna Irani talks about husband Kuku Kohli after his first wife's death". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Kuku Kohli Reacts To His Affairs And Wedding With Aruna Irani, Shares How He Manages His Two Family". BollywoodShaadis. 6 June 2022.
  11. ^ Ghosh, Avijit (22 May 2010). CINEMA BHOJPURI. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-81-8475-256-4.
  12. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (January 1992). "Kis Mein Kitna Hai Dum Cast List | Kis Mein Kitna Hai Dum Movie Star Cast | Release Date | Movie Trailer | Review- Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  13. ^ Coutinho, Natasha (30 November 2015). "I respect acting as a craft: Aruna Irani". The Asian Age. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
  14. ^ "Aruna Irani to enter Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai, to play an important role in Sameer and Naina's life". India Today. 8 July 2019. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
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