Aruna Irani

Aruna Irani (born 18 August 1946) is an Indian actress, director and producer known for her extensive work in Hindi and regional Indian cinema. Over a career spanning several decades, she has appeared in more than 500 films in Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati and Punjabi cinema. She has primarily portrayed supporting and character roles and is regarded as one of the prominent character actresses of Indian cinema.

Irani has received the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress twice, for Pet Pyaar Aur Paap (1984) and Beta (1992). With ten nominations, she holds the record for the highest number of nominations in the category. She was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 for her contribution to Indian cinema.

Early life

Aruna Irani was born on 18 August 1946 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Her father, Faredun Irani, operated a drama troupe, while her mother, Saguna, was an actress. She was the eldest of eight siblings.

Irani initially wanted to become a doctor, but financial difficulties meant that she had to discontinue her formal education after the sixth standard. Her early exposure to the performing arts came through her family. She later developed her dancing abilities while working in films, as she was unable to afford formal dance training.

Several members of her family have been associated with the Indian entertainment industry. Her brothers include filmmaker Indra Kumar and actors Adi Irani and Firoz Irani. Actresses Sarita Joshi and Bindu are among her relatives.

Early film career

Irani entered the film industry as a child artist. She made her screen debut in Ganga Jumna (1961), where she portrayed the childhood version of Azra's character. The following year, she appeared in Anpadh (1962), playing the younger version of Mala Sinha's character.

During the 1960s, she appeared in a number of films in relatively small roles, including Jahanara (1964), Farz (1967), Upkar (1967) and Aaya Sawan Jhoomke (1969).

She subsequently worked extensively with comedian and actor Mehmood, appearing with him in films such as Aulad (1968), Humjoli (1970), Devi (1970) and Naya Zamana (1971).

Rise to prominence

A significant turning point in Irani's career came with the 1971 film Caravan, in which she played a knife-thrower. Her performance earned her her first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She subsequently appeared in a number of commercially successful films, including Bombay to Goa (1972), Garam Masala (1972) and Do Phool (1973).

Throughout the 1970s, Irani became a familiar face in Hindi cinema through supporting roles in films such as Bobby (1973), Fakira (1976), Do Jhoot (1975) and Khoon Pasina (1977). Her performances in Bobby and Rocky (1981) also earned her Filmfare nominations.

Film career and Filmfare success

Irani continued to work extensively during the 1970s and early 1980s, appearing in films including Sargam (1979), Red Rose (1980), Love Story (1981) and Rocky (1981).

After several unsuccessful attempts at winning the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress, she received the award for the first time for her performance in Pet Pyaar Aur Paap (1984).

The recognition established her as one of the leading supporting actresses of her period. Her performances were notable for their versatility, allowing her to portray a wide range of family, comic, dramatic and character parts.

Character roles and Beta

From the late 1980s onward, Irani increasingly took on mature and motherly characters. One of her most acclaimed performances came in the 1992 family drama Beta, for which she won her second Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She subsequently earned further Filmfare nominations for her work in Suhaag (1994) and Kartavya (1995). She also appeared in the Kannada remake of Kartavya, portraying the same role.

Her tenth and record-setting Filmfare nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category came for Ghulam-E-Mustafa (1997).

Regional cinema

In addition to Hindi cinema, Irani has worked in several regional film industries. Her credits include films in Marathi, Kannada and Gujarati cinema.

Her Marathi film appearances include Aandhla Marto Dola, Bhingari, Changu Mangu, Lapwa Chapvi, Ek Gadi Baki Anadi, Mitwaa and Bol Baby Bol.

Her ability to work across different Indian film industries contributed to the breadth of her career and established her as a versatile performer beyond Hindi cinema.

Television career

During the later stages of her career, Irani expanded her work into Indian television. She appeared in numerous television serials, primarily portraying character roles.

She also moved behind the camera and became involved in television direction and production. Among the serials associated with her work as a director or producer are Mehndi Tere Naam Ki, Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand, Rabba Ishq Na Hove and Vaidehi.

Her transition into television allowed her to continue working in the entertainment industry while taking on responsibilities beyond acting.

Awards and recognition

Irani's contributions to Indian cinema have been recognised with several major honours.

She won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress twice:

• Pet Pyaar Aur Paap (1984)
• Beta (1992)

With ten nominations, she holds the record for the most nominations in the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress category.

In recognition of her long career and contribution to Indian cinema, she received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award at the 57th Filmfare Awards in 2012.

Personal life

Irani married film director Kuku Kohli in 1990. Kohli was associated with Hindi cinema as a director and filmmaker.

Legacy

Aruna Irani's career is distinguished by its longevity, versatility and breadth. From beginning as a child artist in the early 1960s to becoming one of Hindi cinema's most recognisable supporting actresses, she has worked across multiple generations of Indian cinema.

Her two Filmfare Awards, record ten nominations in the Best Supporting Actress category and Lifetime Achievement Award reflect her longstanding contribution to Indian entertainment. Her later work in television as an actress, director and producer further expanded her contribution to the industry.

References

• "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 27 August 2026.
• Joshi, Meera (3 September 2013). "Mehmood & I never married - Aroona Irani". ''Filmfare''. Archived from the original on 30 April 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
• "Aruna Irani on winning the Lifetime Achievement Award". ''ETimes''. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
• "Aruna Irani Biography". ''IMDb''. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
• "Filmfare Awards: Aruna Irani wins the Lifetime Achievement Award". ''The Times of India''. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2026.