‘I was a bad dancer’

Mona

God gives life, it is on us to take care of it; these were the opening remarks of Aruna Irani as she almost got mobbed in the lobby of a five-star hotel and stunned everyone with her youthful looks!.

In Chandigarh, as chief guest for Yaadgar-e-Rafi Society, she still has the spunk. She loves to work, which is her only passion, and, loves to eat and drink, yes, wine too, but only when abroad! 

Back in time

Very humble, she makes no pretence on how ‘poor’ they were and since she was the sole bread-earner of the family, she started working early. The lead heroine of Amitabh Bachchan once, she has no qualms that her innings was not as spectacular as him. “I got my due, according to my ability I have been amply rewarded,” she says, dressed in a black anarkali. 

Hundreds of films, countless nominations and awards, but it was television that made her a lot more popular. “The reach of television is immense, no wonder every star shows up on prominent shows,” she chuckles. 

Telly tale

Away from films for last 16-17 years, it’s television where she produced some really successful shows like Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand and also some unsuccessful ones like Vaidehi. 

Working in TV is gruelling work and Aruna has had enough of it, “You produce and direct a show, and then you got to take a call even in the wee hours for some reason or the other...telly is quite tough.” 

Ask her about films, and she says, “If a story doesn’t touch my soul or makes me laugh or cry...it is no good.” Comedy as a genre is sure her priority.

Youthful looks

Well, in her sixties, Aruna Irani looks just about the same as in her films! The secret is regular exercise for one hour a day — walk, surya namaskar and pranayam. “Also eat in moderation,” she says. 

(Mohd Rafi Memorial Nite will be held at SD College-32 from 4:30 pm on Saturday)

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