The glory days and the sudden drought
Aruna Irani has seen it all. The veteran actress, who ruled Bollywood alongside Amitabh Bachchan in blockbusters like Bombay to Goa and Caravan, recently opened up about a painful period when work suddenly dried up for three straight years. Appearing on the reality show Tum Ho Naa, Ghar Ki Superstar, she recalled how those films ran for years at Super Cinema and Dreamland theatres — only for the offers to vanish overnight.
“Achanak se 3 saal tak mere paas koi kaam nahin tha,” she revealed, describing the shock of going from a top heroine to sitting idle. Humble enough to admit the fall, Aruna didn’t let ego stop her. When the next opportunity finally came, it was a far cry from the glamorous roles she once played.
The turning point: Rs 2,500 and a lavani
That opportunity? A lavani performance in Dada Kondke’s Marathi film Aandhla Marto Dola — for a mere Rs 2,500. “I could have thought, ‘I was a heroine opposite Amitabh ji, and today I am doing a lavani for Rs 2,500,’” she shared. Instead, she told herself, “Nahin, mujhe jaana hai, mujhe dekhana hai ki main zinda hoon.”
Aruna credits her courage for taking that leap. The decision not only brought her back to the sets but also connected her with producer Raj Kohli, who opened the doors to more work. “It reminded me of my own journey,” she said. “I did it with courage, and that decision turned out to be so fruitful.”
The lesson: never give up
Host Rajeev Khandelwal summed it up perfectly: “Even after delivering two superhit films, she did not get work. Despite that, she never lost courage. No work is ever too small.” He praised Aruna for standing firm for 70–71 years — through storms, challenges, and uncertainties. “She is an inspiration, proving that one should never give up.”
Aruna Irani’s story is a reminder that success rarely follows a straight line. Even after reaching the top, setbacks can hit hard. But as she proved, resilience, humility, and the willingness to start from scratch can lead to an even stronger comeback. Yaar, if a superstar like her can do lavani for Rs 2,500 and bounce back, the rest of us have no excuses!