Overview
Aruna Irani (born 1946) is an Indian actress who has worked predominantly in Hindi cinema, with appearances in Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada and Tamil films. Active since the 1960s, she became one of the most recognisable supporting actresses of Hindi cinema during the 1970s and 1980s, playing a wide range of character roles including the second lead, vamp, comic foil and mother.
Key facts
| Name | Aruna Irani |
|---|---|
| Born | 1946 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Primary industry | Hindi cinema |
| Other languages worked in | Gujarati, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil |
| Active since | 1960s |
Background
Aruna Irani belongs to the Irani community and entered the film industry as a child artiste before transitioning to adult roles. She built her career through steady work in supporting parts at a time when character actresses were central to the ensemble structure of mainstream Hindi films.
Career
Over the course of several decades, Irani featured in a large number of films across genres, ranging from social dramas and family entertainers to action and comedy. She is associated with the era of Hindi cinema dominated by stars such as Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan, and continued to work into later decades in roles such as mothers, aunts and matriarchs in family-oriented films and television serials.
In addition to acting, she has been associated with film and television production work in India.
Television
Beyond films, Irani has appeared in Indian television serials, extending her career into the small-screen era of Hindi entertainment.
Significance
Aruna Irani is regarded as among the most prolific character actresses of Hindi cinema. Her longevity across multiple generations of leading actors, and her ability to move between negative, comic and maternal roles, make her a notable figure in the history of Indian supporting performances.
Related topics
References
- Wikidata entity: Q158225