In a throwback podcast with Lehren, veteran actress Aruna Irani poured her heart out while unveiling about how her entire career in cinema has been. From entering Bollywood as a child artist to leading screens through her notable characters and suddenly facing breakdown in career after untrue rumours spread like a wave of her marrying outstanding comedian Mehmood Ali. Later on, signing dance numbers in films like Andhala Marto Dola and Bobby in 1973 paved her way to shine onscreen all over again. Further, in an emotional conclusion, she opened up on how her father was immensely proud to witness her stunning success.
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PeopleTranscript
00:00People used to make fun of me that I got married to Mahmood Jais.
00:04I used to feel that people have forgotten me.
00:07I am not in the industry.
00:09If I have made a mistake, then I have made that mistake.
00:13My producers haven't done it.
00:15If I had to clarify at that time, then I should have done it.
00:18It is not their mistake.
00:20My father always used to feel that if I had a son instead of my elder daughter,
00:25then I would have died in peace that my elder son will take care of my family.
00:41I started my career when I was 9 years old.
00:44They had collected 500 kids.
00:47Mr. Dilip wanted some child artists for Azra ji and Vyjayanti ji's childhood.
00:53They selected Baby Naaz for Vyjayanti ji.
00:57Then they called all kids.
00:59Some 500 kids were called.
01:01They saw everyone.
01:03They saw me too.
01:05Then he went back like that.
01:07Hey girl, please come here.
01:09And he called me.
01:11Yes uncle.
01:13He said, what is your name?
01:15I said Aruna.
01:17Then he asked me 2-3 questions.
01:20He gave me a look.
01:22Premji bhai, who is a producer now,
01:24he was a very good producer.
01:26He used to work in his production at that time.
01:28He asked me to take the address of this kid.
01:31He finally took the address of 4-5 kids.
01:34I never thought that he will select me among these 500 kids.
01:38But it happened.
01:40That's how my career started.
01:42Then I came in as a child artist.
01:44Sometimes I did a small role here and there.
01:46I did a small role of childhood.
01:48Then there was a time when I was neither a child nor a youth.
01:51At that time, no work was given to me.
01:53Because I was in middle age.
01:55I had to sit at home for 4-5 years.
01:58In those 4-5 years, I started doing stage.
02:01My father had a theatrical company.
02:03So I started doing stage plays and all that commercial plays.
02:07So that was actually my institute where I learned.
02:10I learned things like how to perform.
02:14How to express the fear of the heart in front of so many people.
02:19That was sort of my institute.
02:21And I learned a lot from stage.
02:23In those days, my bread and butter was also the same.
02:26Then one day, my brother-in-law Mistry came to see our play.
02:29He said, who is this girl who is doing the comedy role?
02:34I said, she is Aruna Irani.
02:36So call her.
02:38So he called her.
02:40He said, Aruna, would you like to work in a film?
02:44And I could not believe my ears that I am hearing so.
02:48And he said, yes.
02:49And there is such a comedy role.
02:51It is opposite to Marutiji.
02:52Comedian Marutiji, who passed away.
02:55It is opposite to him.
02:56So I was very thrilled.
02:58That's how I again re-entered at that age of my life.
03:01Doing small roles, big roles.
03:03There are two scenes here and there is one scene there.
03:05Doing like this, I kept going in life.
03:08Then I started working with Mehmuchi.
03:11So I got set in a comedy role with him.
03:13Everybody said no.
03:15Mumtaz had got married.
03:17No, Mumtaz had become a heroine in those days.
03:20So she was no more doing comedy roles.
03:22Shobha Koteji had got married.
03:24But there was no girl in the cast opposite him.
03:27So he wanted to try a new girl.
03:29Then they called me.
03:31Everyone backed me up and took me.
03:33Aruna, don't be afraid.
03:34Naturally, I was a fan of Mehmuchi.
03:36And I was very scared of him.
03:37Working in front of such a big star.
03:39Is it a joke?
03:40Everyone was ready.
03:41No, don't be afraid.
03:42No, don't be afraid.
03:43Everyone was ready.
03:44Very good.
03:45Very nice.
03:46Excellent.
03:47After the shot, my friends gestured like this.
03:50They really gave me a good boost.
03:52And I could stand at least in front of him.
03:57Do something.
03:58Then he was also a very helpful person.
04:01Then he helped me.
04:02How to react.
04:03What are the timings of a comedy.
04:05He helped me.
04:06So that's how I was doing comedy roles.
04:08Then there was a film called Bombay to Goa.
04:10In which Amit Ji was there.
04:12So Amit Ji also used to do character roles in those days.
04:16He used to do the role of the second hero.
04:17He was also in Anand.
04:18And he was doing a villain role in Parvana.
04:21So these people were thinking.
04:22That we should cast new hero and heroine stars.
04:24So everybody thought.
04:26Let's take Amit Ji.
04:27We took Amit Ji.
04:29Who is the girl?
04:30So they were thinking.
04:31What to do?
04:32Then they asked me.
04:34Me?
04:35What did the blind ask for me?
04:36Two eyes?
04:37Okay.
04:38I jumped.
04:39And that's how we did that film.
04:41And that's how we came in the line.
04:43And this is how I entered.
04:46I got Karwa also.
04:48Before Bombay to Goa.
04:50I got Karwa.
04:51There was a role in Karwa.
04:53I was very good at dancing.
04:54I mean.
04:55I didn't know how to dance.
04:56Suresh master was the dance master.
04:58And he said.
04:59He recommended my name to Nasir sir.
05:02Nasir sir called me to the office.
05:04Yes, yes.
05:05She looks good.
05:06She has a good figure.
05:07She can speak dialogues.
05:08Because she works in drama.
05:10She can speak good lines.
05:12She can dance.
05:14So Suresh sir said.
05:15Yes, yes.
05:16She dances very well.
05:17Don't worry.
05:18I am there.
05:19Why are you scared?
05:20Give her rehearsal.
05:21She will be excellent.
05:22That's how I came in Karwa.
05:23These two films were released with me.
05:25And I came into limelight.
05:28After these two films.
05:29But there were some wrong rumors.
05:31Which like a stupid.
05:33And never cleared.
05:34That people made a rumor.
05:36That I got married to him.
05:38So people backed out.
05:39That no.
05:40If I got married now.
05:41Then naturally.
05:42I won't work.
05:43So whatever I did.
05:45It was all ruined.
05:47Then I again.
05:48Had to start my career.
05:50I did one Marathi film.
05:52People stopped coming to me.
05:53Not a single producer.
05:55And I also didn't have that guts.
05:56Like.
05:57I appreciate that.
05:58Today's girls have so much guts.
06:00That if there is any wrong rumor.
06:02They walk up to you.
06:03And tell you.
06:04They talk to you.
06:05Or they call you up.
06:06And tell you.
06:07See.
06:08If someone tells you.
06:09That I got married.
06:10Then it's nothing like that.
06:11They call people.
06:12And give an interview.
06:13And clarify.
06:14We didn't have all this wisdom.
06:16In those days.
06:17That we call.
06:18Call the press.
06:19Clarify them.
06:20Talk to them.
06:21Or call a producer.
06:22And tell him.
06:23That brother.
06:24There is nothing wrong.
06:25I am working.
06:26I am still working.
06:28All that is cunning in us.
06:30Or.
06:32I didn't have that.
06:33I didn't understand.
06:34You can call it.
06:35After that.
06:36After many years.
06:37A producer came to me.
06:38Who is that?
06:39After three years.
06:40Dada Kond.
06:41Dada Kond.
06:42He called me.
06:43That there is a problem in my film.
06:44Will you do it?
06:45I was three years old.
06:46I didn't see the studio.
06:47I didn't see anything.
06:48It felt like.
06:49People have forgotten me.
06:50I am not in the industry.
06:51So now.
06:52This is the only way.
06:53To come back.
06:54That I must.
06:55I must.
06:56I must.
06:57I must.
06:58I must.
06:59I must.
07:00There were things happening to me.
07:01I must enter the film industry.
07:02I must go to the studios.
07:03If I go and ask the studio.
07:04For somebody.
07:05To give me work.
07:06Very odd.
07:07If I am working.
07:08People see.
07:09That I am on.
07:10I am still in happening.
07:11So that is how.
07:12I started.
07:13I took that song.
07:14That.
07:15One of the songs of.
07:16Andra Marth Doda.
07:17I did that song.
07:18That filming.
07:19People started looking at me.
07:20Oh Aruna Hirani.
07:21She is working.
07:22Oh Aruna Hirani.
07:23She is working.
07:24And.
07:25A few days later.
07:26Raj Sir called.
07:27Raj sir called.
07:28After a few days, Raj Kapoor called me
07:31And he offered me that role in Bobby
07:34And I was all floored
07:37I felt like I was dreaming
07:40Raj Kapoor's films are very popular
07:44They are very popular
07:48So when he took me in the film
07:51He announced that she is doing the film
07:54Photographers have to come on set
07:57And other producers got to know
08:00That Raj Kapoor has signed Aruna Rani
08:27They haven't taught me anything as such
08:30They have given me so much of love
08:33If I have made a mistake, it is my fault
08:36My producers haven't done it
08:39If I had to clarify, I should have done it
08:42It is not their mistake
08:45I can't blame them for not taking me in the film
08:48I should have gone
08:51Why should I blame them?
08:54When I was in the industry
09:05Looking at their love
09:08I feel that if there is another birth in the industry
09:11Then I would like to come in the industry
09:19I couldn't work in an office
09:23And my father used to feel
09:26If I had a son
09:29Then I would die
09:32My age is over
09:35I would die in peace
09:38That my eldest son will take care of the family
09:41This always hurt me
09:44Why can't a girl take care of the family?
09:47Why can't a son take care of the family?
09:50I wanted to prove myself
09:56I felt the best thing when my father died
09:59Just before a week
10:02He was sitting in the balcony
10:05I had just bought a new Fiat
10:08It was a second hand Fiat
10:11I had bought that car
10:14My father used to stand in the gallery
10:17My daughter's car
10:20If somebody would pass by and lean on it
10:23He would send somebody
10:26Look at him, he is standing on our car
10:29Ask him to move
10:32Before dying he said one thing
10:35I don't feel regretted
10:38My daughter can take care of my children
10:41I am dying peacefully
10:47I am dying peacefully
10:50I am dying peacefully