Aruna Irani


Aruna Irani 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 has won two Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actress, for Pet Pyaar Aur Paap and Beta, and has been nominated for a total of ten awards, holding a record for the most nominations in the category. In January 2012, Irani was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award at the 57th Filmfare Awards.

Early life

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, and gave up studies after sixth standard because her family did not have enough money to educate all the children. She claims to have learnt dancing while working in the films because she could not afford professional training from a master. Her brothers Indra Kumar, Adi Irani and Firoz Irani are all associated with the film industry. Actress Bindu is her cousin.

Career

Aruna Irani made her debut in the movie Ganga Jamna playing Azra's childhood character. She then acted in the movie Anpadh as Mala Sinha's childhood character. She next did several small roles in films such as Jahanara, Farz, Upkar and Aaya Sawan Jhoomke. She later acted with comedian Mehmood Ali in films such as Aulad, Humjoli, Devi and Naya Zamana.
In 1971, she starred in Caravan. She later starred in Mehmood Ali's Bombay To Goa, Garam Masala and Do Phool. Her films have included Farz, Bobby, Fakira, Sargam, Red Rose, Love Story, and Rocky.
She won her first Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Pet Pyaar Aur Paap.
In the late 1980s and 1990s Irani switched to playing motherly roles, notably in Beta, for which she won her second Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. 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.
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.
On 19 February 2012, she was awarded the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at the annual Filmfare awards function in Mumbai.

Personal life

She is married to Bollywood film director Kuku Kohli.

Selected filmography

YearShowCharacterChannelNotes
1995-1997Zamana Badal GayaVeenaDD MetroMain Lead
2001-2005Des Mein Niklla Hoga ChandTejiStar PlusAlso as a Producer under AK Films
2002Mehndi Tere Naam KiSharda MalikZee TVAlso as a Producer under AK Films
2003-2005Tum Bin Jaaoon KahaanShaliniZee TVAlso as a Producer under AK Films
2005-2006Zameen Se Aassman TakBalraj's MotherSahara OneAlso as a Producer under AK Films
2006VaidehiSitaSony TVAlso as a Producer under AK Films
2005-2006Rabba Ishq Na HoveVeera's MotherZee TVAlso as a Producer under AK Films
2006-2007Kahaani Ghar Ghar KiNarayani DeviStar PlusBalaji Telefilms
2007MaaykaDurga KhurannaZee TV
2007-2009Babul Ki Bitiya Chali Doli Saja KeDadimaSahara OneAlso as a Producer under AK Films
2007-2009NaaginnMaasa/ TriveniZee TVAlso as a Producer under AK Films
2008Saas v/s BahuJudgeSahara One
2009-2011Jhansi Ki RaniVahini SahibaZee TV
2010-2011Sanjog Se Bani SanginiRajraniZee TV
2011-2012Dekha Ek KhwaabRajmata Mrinalini DeviSony TVLead
2011-2012Main Lakshmi Tere Aangan KiSharda AgnihotriLife OK
2012Parichay — Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno KaSulekha DiwanColors TV
2013–2014Sanskaar - Dharohar Apno KiAnsuya VaishnavColors TV
2015-2016BhagyalakshmiVasundhara Prajapati& TV
2015UzaloProducer of AK FilmsSABC 1Producer
2016SaubhagyalakshmiVasundhara Prajapati& TV
2018PorusThe OracleSony TV
2018-2019Dastaan-E-Mohabbat Salim AnarkaliHamida Banu Begum Colors TV
2019Dil Toh Happy Hai JiMrs KhoslaStarPlus
2019Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat HaiAruna IraniSony TV

Awards and nominations

;Filmfare Awards
;Indian Telly Awards