Veteran actress Aruna Irani has made immense contributions in Hindi cinema as well as television, producing and acting in popular serials. With a career spanning over six decades, Aruna began her acting journey as a child artist and quickly rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s with iconic roles in films such as Bobby, Khatta Meetha and Roti Kapada Aur Makaan.
In an exclusive interview with ETimes, Aruna reflected on her illustrious career, sharing her experiences working with legendary filmmakers like Asit Sen and Raj Kapoor. She discussed the roles that defined her career, from sharing heartfelt anecdotes of shooting iconic films like Bobby to her perspective on the changing dynamics of the film industry. She also fondly remembered Rishi Kapoor as a mischievous yet cooperative young actor during Bobby’s production.
Tell us about your working experience on Asit Sen’s Safar (1970).
Director Asit Sen told me upfront that the role he offered me wasn’t great but said we had to be in one loop. I said, “Okay”. It was a very good film and he was a very good director so I did the film.
Tell us about your working experience on Raj Kapoor’s Bobby (1973).
No heroine would have said no to that role because Raj Kapoor was making the film. But Raj Ji called me, “Aruna, we have a good role in the film. Why don’t you come and meet me?” He narrated the role to me and stated that it was not the role of a vamp. “Mind you, this is not a vamp role”, he said. I agreed to do the film. It was a privilege to work with Raj Kapoor Ji.
One evening, I was sitting in my chair, waiting as the lighting for a scene was being done. I was dull. Raj Ji asked, “What happened Aruna?” I said that I was having a headache. He said, “How can anyone work in such pain?” Then he shouted, “Pack up!” Can you believe that? The scene to be shot was a party scene – an expensive scene to shoot. But he said, “Pack up!” It was the scene where I was in a green dress and trying to woo Chintu Baba (Rishi Kapoor). I told Raj Ji, “I have taken medicines and can shoot.” But he insisted, “No, I am an actor. I know how it feels.” He said, “We will shoot tomorrow.” He was so compassionate towards his actors.
Gosh! The way he demonstrated his scenes. He instructed every minute detail about the characters and demonstrated how they would walk and talk. He would walk like Aruna Irani. He would show us the style and masti of a character. He would perform all the dialogues. It was a success if the actors managed to do even ten percent of what he did.
How would Raj Kapoor treat his son Rishi Kapoor on the sets?
Raj Ji treated Chintu Baba just like any other new actor. He treated Dimple and Chintu the same way. He shouted if they did something wrong, but if they did something good, he would encourage them too. You got to be lucky to work with a director like that.
Did you think Rishi Kapoor would become such a big star when you worked with him in Bobby?
No, absolutely not! He was a child during Bobby. Raj Ji never treated him like his son on the sets. He treated him like a new actor he wanted to mould for the character. I did quite a few films with Rishi Kapoor. He was a nice person. He was a mischievous child. As an actor, he was very cooperative with his directors and co-actors.
Bobby was a trendsetter.
We didn’t think about trends so much back then. We were only bothered about doing our work. We were passionate about our work and the characters we played.
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How much has the film industry changed according to you?
The film industry has changed, sure. It has become very hi-fi. We didn’t get vanity vans back in the day. Today, even the assistants have vanity vans. All departments have vanity vans. Back in the day, on the outdoor shoots, we would go behind trees or isolated areas for loo breaks. Today, there are mobile toilets, etc. Life on set has become a bit more comfortable today for everyone. A film is the result of the hard work of many people. But everyone seems to solely take credit for a film’s success.
Have you found it difficult to adjust to the changing times of the film industry?
It is my nature to gel with any team that I work with. People that I have worked with haven’t shown me any tantrums.
Are you not accepting work offers or are offers not coming to you?
I am not getting any offers. Abhi main karti kaha hoon, kitna kaam hai mere paas? I am not taking work because they are not coming to me. People think a lot before approaching senior actors because of their age. Today’s kids speak a very casual language and don’t approach me, maybe thinking it will be awkward with me. But I want to work. Every actor would love to work till their last breath. I did a film called Krantiveer by Kanu Chauhan. It has Suniel Shetty and Sooraj Pancholi.
On your character in Ghudchadi.
It was a good character. She loves her son but wants to keep the reputation intact. But ultimately, the son’s love wins.
Vamps have disappeared from Hindi cinema.
The writers have to write vamp characters for someone to play a vamp. Today, even heroines play grey-shade characters. They wear revealing clothes and dance so they don’t need the likes of Helen, Aruna Irani, or Bindu.
You used to produce television content.
I shut down TV production in 2008. I don’t want to revive it because it is very stressful. I want to work as an actor. That’s all.
