Aruna Irani

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Aruna Irani was one of the undisputed queens of the item dance. With Helen and Bindu, Aruna ruled the Bollywood femme fatale roost playing the ‘bad girl’ as counterpoint to the movie’s demure heroine. As such Aruna could always be expected to provide a cleavage shot or two and at least one spicy item dance. The holy trinity of Helen, Aruna, and Bindu epitomized The Vamp, the bad girl, and the item dance, that characterized Bollywood films of the late 60s and 1970s.

Aruna’s major contribution to the evolution of the item dance was the sense of raw growling youthful sexuality she conveyed. If Helen could pout and ‘Betty Boop’ you into submission and Bindu was Bollywood’s answer to Go Go boots, Aruna gave the distinct feeling she could not only growl like a cat, but also scratch like one too.

She was said to have led a ‘wild’ and affair filled social life that by today’s standards would not be considered very scandalous. She continued to act even as the role of vamp went out of vogue. In fact she still has a vibrant and active career on both sides of the camera in Bollywood.

Aruni is also a social activist who is involved and lends her name to AIDS awareness in India.

 

Films Done By Aruna Irani

  • Gungi Ladki (1961)
  • Anpadh (1962)
  • Nartaki (1963)
  • Jahanara (1964)
  • Ganga Ki Lahren (1964)
  • Kalapi (1966)
  • Farz (1967)
  • Patthar Ke Sanam (1967)
  • Upkar (1967)
  • Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969)
  • Anjaan Hai Koi (1969)
  • Oos Raat Ke Baad (1969)
  • Jyoti (1969)
  • Samay Bada Balwan (1969)
  • Humjoli (1970)
  • Aan Milo Sajna (1970)
  • Naya Zamana (1971)
  • Man Mandir (1971)
  • Ek Paheli (1971)
  • Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong (1971)
  • Ek Naari Ek Brahmchari (1971)
  • Caravan (1971) as Nisha
  • Buddha Mil Gaya (1971)
  • Andaz (1971)
  • Sanjog (1972)
  • Garam Masala (1972)
  • Bombay to Goa (1972)
  • Bobby (1973)
  • Do Phool (1973)
  • Prem Nagar (1974)
  • Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974)
  • Har Har Mahadev (1974)
  • Mili (1975)
  • Do Jasoos (1975)
  • Khel Khel Mein (1975)
  • Ranga Khush (1975)
  • Deewaar (1975) (uncredited)
  • Bhanwar (1976)
  • Charas (1976)
  • Sangram (1976)
  • Fakira (1976)
  • Zindagi (1976) as Sudha N. Shukla
  • Laila Majnu (1976)
  • Duniyadaari (1977)
  • Khoon Pasina (1977)
  • Shalimar (1978)
  • Jaani Dushman (1979)
  • Kartavya (1979) as Lachhi
  • Surakshaa (1979) as Ruby
  • Aas Paas (1980)
  • Hum Paanch (1980) as Nishi
  • Judaai (1980) as Miss Lily, dancer
  • Kali Ghata (1980) as Pinky
  • Karz (1980)
  • Morcha (1980)
  • Phir Wohi Raat (1980) as Shobha
  • Qurbani (1980)
  • Rocky (1981)
  • Love Story (1981)
  • Thee (1981) (Tamil film)
  • Yaarana (1981)
  • Kudarat (1981)
  • Ammakkorumma (1981)
  • Lawaaris (1981)
  • Angoor (1982)
  • Bemisal (1982)
  • Brij Bhoomi (1982)
  • Bade Dil Wala (1983)
  • Thai Veedu (1983) (Tamil film)
  • Jhutha Sach(1983)
  • Mawali (1983)
  • Pet Pyaar Aur Paap (1984)
  • Ghar Ek Mandir (1984)
  • Bhago Bhut Aaya (1985) as Nirmala / Manorama
  • Dikri Chaali Sasariye (1985)
  • Lallu Ram (1985) as Champa
  • Naache Mayuri (1986)
  • Diyavaan (1987)
  • Shahenshah (1988)
  • Chaalbaaz (1989)
  • Doodh Ka Karz Hindi & Marathi (1990)
  • Bandh Darwaza (1990) Mahua Daayan Kunka
  • Jungle Love (1990)
  • Phool Aur Kaante (1991)
  • Brahmarshi Vishwamitra (1991)
  • Beta (1992)
  • Umar 55 Ki Dil Bachpan Ka (1992)
  • Annayya (1993)
  • Hum Hain Kamaal Ke (1993)
  • Raja Babu (1994)
  • Laadla (1994)
  • Suhaag (1994)
  • 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 (1998)
  • Zulmi (1999)
  • Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999)
  • Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (2002)
  • Khatta Meetha (2010)
  • Mitwaa (2015)
  • Chaal Jeevi Laiye! (2019, guest appearance, Gujarati)

 

Television Done By Aruna Irani

  • 1995-1997 Zamana Badal Gaya Veena DD Metro Main Lead
  • 2001-2005 Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand Teji Star Plus Also as a Producer under AK Films
  • 2000-2002 Mehndi Tere Naam Ki Sharda Malik Zee TV
  • 2003-2005 Tum Bin Jaaoon Kahaan Shalini
  • 2005-2006 Zameen Se Aassman Tak Balraj’s Mother Sahara One
  • 2006 Vaidehi Sita Sony TV
  • 2005-2006 Rabba Ishq Na Hove Veera’s Mother Zee TV
  • 2006-2007 Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki Narayani Devi Star Plus Balaji Telefilms
  • 2007 Maayka Durga Khuranna Zee TV
  • 2007-2009 Babul Ki Bitiya Chali Doli Saja Ke Dadima Sahara One Also as a Producer under AK Films
  • 2007-2009 Naaginn Maasa/ Triveni Zee TV
  • 2008 Saas v/s Bahu Judge Sahara One
  • 2009-2011 Jhansi Ki Rani Vahini Sahiba Zee TV
  • 2010-2011 Sanjog Se Bani Sangini Rajrani
  • 2011-2012 Dekha Ek Khwaab Rajmata Mrinalini Devi Sony TV Lead
  • 2011-2012 Main Lakshmi Tere Aangan Ki Sharda Agnihotri Life OK
  • 2012 Parichay — Nayee Zindagi Kay Sapno Ka Sulekha Diwan Colors TV
  • 2013–2014 Sanskaar – Dharohar Apno Ki Ansuya Vaishnav
  • 2015-2016 Bhagyalakshmi Vasundhara Prajapati & TV [7]
  • 2015 Uzalo Producer of AK Films SABC 1 Producer
  • 2016 Saubhagyalakshmi Vasundhara Prajapati & TV
  • 2018 Porus The Oracle Sony TV
  • 2018-2019 Dastaan-E-Mohabbat Salim Anarkali Hamida Banu Begum (Mariam Makani) Colors TV
  • 2019 Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji Mrs Khosla StarPlus
  • 2019 Yeh Un Dinon Ki Baat Hai Aruna Irani Sony TV

 

Awards and nominations Received By Aruna Irani

  • 1972 – Nominated–Best Supporting Actress – Caravan
  • 1974 – Nominated–Best Supporting Actress – Bobby
  • 1976 – Nominated–Best Supporting Actress – Do Jhoot
  • 1978 – Nominated–Best Supporting Actress – Khoon Pasina
  • 1982 – Nominated–Best Supporting Actress – Rocky
  • 1985 – Best Supporting Actress – Pet Pyaar Aur Paap
  • 1993 – Best Supporting Actress – Beta
  • 1995 – Nominated–Best Supporting Actress – Suhaag
  • 1996 – Nominated–Best Supporting Actress – Kartavya
  • 1998 – Nominated–Best Supporting Actress – Ghulam-E-Mustafa
  • 2012 – Lifetime Achievement Award