Aruna Irani is a veteran Indian actress, producer and director whose career in the entertainment industry has spanned more than six decades. She began working as a child artist and went on to become one of Hindi cinema’s most recognizable supporting and character actresses, appearing in more than 500 films across several Indian languages.
Born in Mumbai, Aruna entered the film industry at just nine years old. She gradually progressed from child roles and dance performances to supporting parts, comic characters, negative roles and emotionally powerful mother figures. Her performances in films such as Caravan, Bobby, Fakira, Sargam, Love Story, Pet Pyaar Aur Paap and Beta established her as a versatile performer.
In 2026, Aruna Irani returned to widespread public attention following the death of her husband, filmmaker Kuku Kohli. Their marriage, which began in 1990, was a subject of public interest for years because Kohli was previously married when their relationship began. Aruna has also remained an important figure in Indian television and film, having expanded her career into directing and producing television serials.
Aruna Irani Profile Summary
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Aruna Irani |
| Date of Birth | August 18, 1946 |
| Age | 80 years as of August 2026 |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Actress, Producer, Director |
| Years Active | 1960s–present |
| Debut | Ganga Jamuna (1961) as a child artist |
| Famous For | Supporting and character roles in Indian cinema |
| Husband | Kuku Kohli |
| Marriage | 1990 |
| Children | No biological children |
| Awards | Two Filmfare Awards; Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award |
| Languages/Industries | Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada and other Indian cinema |
| Religion | Hindu/Parsi family background |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 3 in (161 cm), according to published profiles |
| Net Worth | Not reliably publicly disclosed |
Aruna Irani Early Life
Aruna Irani was born in Mumbai into a large family. Her father, Faredun Irani, ran a drama troupe, while her mother, Saguna, was an actress. Aruna was the eldest of eight siblings, and several members of her family later became involved in the Indian entertainment industry. Her siblings include filmmaker Indra Kumar and actor Firoz Irani.
Growing up around theatre and performers exposed Aruna to acting from an early age. However, her childhood was also shaped by financial difficulties. She has spoken about having to leave formal education after the sixth standard because her family could not afford to continue her schooling.
At nine years old, Aruna began working in films as a child artist. She later recalled that the film industry effectively became her school because she spent her formative years on film sets. Rather than receiving extensive formal training, she learned through practical experience, observing actors, dancers, directors and other professionals around her.
Aruna Irani Education
Aruna Irani’s formal education was limited. She studied up to approximately the sixth standard before financial circumstances forced her to discontinue her schooling.
The lack of formal education did not prevent her from developing a successful career. Instead, the film industry became the environment in which she learned acting, dancing, performance and the practical aspects of filmmaking.
Aruna has openly described herself as someone whose education largely came through her years in cinema. Her decades of experience eventually gave her knowledge not only as a performer but also as a producer and director.
Aruna Irani Career
Aruna Irani’s career is one of the longest in Indian cinema. She began as a child performer and gradually developed into a versatile adult actress, appearing in hundreds of films and later becoming an important television performer.
Aruna Irani’s Acting Debut
Aruna made her film debut as a child artist in Ganga Jamuna in 1961. She subsequently appeared in films including Jahanara, Farz, Upkar and Aaya Sawan Jhoomke. Her early career involved numerous small roles as she worked to establish herself in the industry.
Her breakthrough came with Caravan in 1971, where she played a memorable gypsy character. The film became a major success and helped establish Aruna as an actress capable of making a strong impact even when she was not the leading heroine.
She continued appearing alongside some of India’s biggest stars. Her filmography included Bombay to Goa, Garam Masala, Do Phool, Bobby, Fakira, Sargam, Love Story and Rocky, among many others.
Aruna Irani’s Filmfare Awards
Aruna Irani became particularly celebrated for her supporting performances. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for Pet Pyaar Aur Paap and later won the same award for Beta.
Her performance in Beta was particularly memorable, with her portrayal of a manipulative and controlling mother becoming one of the defining performances of her career. She received numerous Filmfare nominations over the years and holds the distinction of being among the most nominated actresses in the Best Supporting Actress category.
In 2012, she received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema.
Aruna Irani in Television
After establishing herself in films, Aruna Irani became increasingly involved in Indian television. She appeared in a number of television serials and successfully adapted her acting style to the longer storytelling format of television.
Her television credits include projects such as Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand, Mehndi Tere Naam Ki, Vaidehi, Maayka, Naaginn and other serials.
Television also provided Aruna with opportunities to take on production and direction responsibilities, allowing her to move beyond acting and participate in the creative and organizational side of productions.
Aruna Irani as Producer and Director
Aruna Irani eventually expanded into producing and directing television programs. Her experience of decades in front of the camera gave her a strong understanding of performers and production.
Her behind-the-camera work included television projects such as Mehndi Tere Naam Ki, Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand, Vaidehi and Rabba Ishq Na Hove.
This transition demonstrated that her contribution to Indian entertainment extended beyond acting. She became involved in multiple stages of television production while continuing to remain connected to acting.
Aruna Irani Trending: Why Is Aruna Irani Famous?
Aruna Irani is trending in 2026 partly because of the death of her husband, filmmaker Kuku Kohli, in August 2026. Kohli, who was 77, was best known for directing films including Phool Aur Kaante, the 1991 movie that launched Ajay Devgn as a leading actor.
Aruna and Kuku Kohli married in 1990. Their relationship attracted considerable attention because Kohli had already been married and had children from his first marriage when he became involved with Aruna. Aruna later spoke publicly about the circumstances surrounding their relationship and marriage.
Following Kohli’s death, Aruna became the subject of renewed media attention as reports revisited their decades-long relationship. Kohli was survived by Aruna and his two daughters from his first marriage.
The renewed attention has also highlighted Aruna’s own remarkable career. Even decades after becoming a household name, she remains one of the most recognizable veteran actresses associated with Hindi cinema.
Aruna Irani Personal Life
Aruna Irani married filmmaker Kuku Kohli in 1990. The couple’s relationship developed after they met through the film industry, although Kohli was already married at the time. Aruna later discussed their complicated beginnings in interviews, including the fact that she initially did not know he was married.
Aruna and Kuku Kohli did not have biological children together. Kohli had two daughters from his earlier marriage. Aruna has spoken about her decision not to have children and the personal circumstances surrounding that decision.
Kuku Kohli died in August 2026 at the age of 77 after suffering a heart attack. His death brought renewed attention to Aruna’s personal life and their long marriage.
Aruna Irani Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Aruna Irani was born on August 18, 1946, in Mumbai, India. She turned 80 in August 2026. There is conflicting information online about her birth year, with some entertainment websites giving 1952, but major biographical references and recent reporting identify 1946 as her birth year.
Aruna is Indian by nationality. She comes from an Irani father and Hindu mother, giving her a mixed family and cultural background. Public sources describe her family background in those terms, although her personal religious practice is not extensively documented.
Published celebrity profiles generally place Aruna Irani’s height at approximately 5 feet 3 inches (161 cm). She is widely recognized for her distinctive expressive face and strong screen presence, qualities that helped her remain memorable across different generations of Indian cinema.
Aruna Irani Social Media Presence
Aruna Irani belongs to a generation of actors whose careers were established long before social media became part of the entertainment industry. She has therefore maintained a much lower social-media profile than younger Bollywood personalities.
There are social-media accounts and pages using her name, but a reliably verified personal account is not sufficiently established to confidently attribute a particular Instagram handle to her.
Her public presence instead continues to come primarily through interviews, film and television coverage, archival appearances and news reports about her career.
Aruna Irani Net Worth
Aruna Irani has spent more than six decades working in Indian entertainment, appearing in hundreds of films and television productions. She has also worked as a producer and director, giving her multiple professional sources of income over the course of her career.
However, her exact net worth has not been reliably disclosed. Online celebrity wealth estimates vary considerably and are not supported by sufficient financial documentation to be treated as established fact.
Aruna Irani’s net worth should therefore be described as undisclosed rather than assigning her a precise figure. Her longevity, extensive filmography, awards and television work nevertheless indicate a highly successful entertainment career.
Aruna Irani Legacy
Aruna Irani’s greatest legacy is her extraordinary longevity. She entered Indian cinema as a nine-year-old child artist and remained active across multiple generations, adapting from child roles to supporting characters, dancers, villains, mothers and television personalities.
Her career also challenged the idea that lasting stardom depends entirely on playing lead roles. Aruna became famous precisely because she could make supporting and character roles memorable. Her performances in films such as Caravan, Pet Pyaar Aur Paap and Beta remain among the most recognizable examples of character acting in Hindi cinema.
Her contribution extends beyond acting. Through television production and direction, numerous awards and decades of work across different Indian film industries, Aruna Irani has established herself as one of the enduring figures of Indian entertainment. Her career represents a rare journey from child performer to veteran actress and industry mentor.
Conclusion
Aruna Irani is one of India’s most enduring actresses, having built a career that began at nine and continued across more than six decades. From her breakthrough in Caravan and award-winning performances in Pet Pyaar Aur Paap and Beta to her television work and production career, she has left a lasting mark on Indian entertainment. In 2026, renewed attention surrounding the death of her husband, Kuku Kohli, has once again placed her personal life in the spotlight, but her greatest legacy remains the remarkable body of work she created throughout her career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aruna Irani
Who is Aruna Irani?
Aruna Irani is a veteran Indian actress, producer and director known for her extensive work in Hindi and other Indian-language cinema and television.
How old is Aruna Irani?
Aruna Irani is 80 years old as of August 2026, based on the widely documented birth date of August 18, 1946.
When was Aruna Irani born?
Aruna Irani was born on August 18, 1946, in Mumbai, India.
Who is Aruna Irani’s husband?
Aruna Irani was married to filmmaker Kuku Kohli. They married in 1990. Kuku Kohli died in August 2026 at the age of 77.
Does Aruna Irani have children?
Aruna Irani does not have biological children. Her husband Kuku Kohli had two daughters from his first marriage.
What is Aruna Irani famous for?
Aruna Irani is famous for her supporting and character roles in Indian films, particularly Caravan, Pet Pyaar Aur Paap, Bobby, Fakira, Sargam and Beta.
How many Filmfare Awards has Aruna Irani won?
Aruna Irani has won two Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actress, for Pet Pyaar Aur Paap and Beta. She also received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.
What was Aruna Irani’s first movie?
Aruna Irani began acting as a child artist in Ganga Jamuna in 1961.
Did Aruna Irani work in television?
Yes. Aruna Irani acted in numerous television serials and also worked as a television producer and director.
What is Aruna Irani’s religion?
Aruna Irani comes from a mixed family background, with an Irani father and Hindu mother. Her specific personal religious practice is not extensively documented.
What is Aruna Irani’s height?
Published profiles generally list Aruna Irani’s height at approximately 5 feet 3 inches (161 cm).
What is Aruna Irani’s net worth?
Aruna Irani’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Online estimates vary and cannot be reliably confirmed.
Is Aruna Irani still alive?
Yes. Aruna Irani is alive as of September 2026.