Aruna Irani and Rekha were among the most prominent actresses in the ’70s and ’80s who won hearts with their talent, versatility and managed to have a longer career than most of their peers. During those years, they worked in several films together, including Aurat Aurat Aurat, Kashmakash, and Bhagwaan Dada. Known for her powerful roles, Rekha used to have an inherent charm, while Aruna’s versatility never failed to surprise the fans who earned her place by working in several supporting roles with her fair share of struggles. However, despite their on-screen bond and off-screen friendship, things haven’t always been smooth between them.
Aruna Irani reveals her performances made Rekha conscious
Aruna Irani recently sat down for her interview with Lehren Retro wherein she recalled how she had received some major professional setbacks due to her good friend, Rekha. Taking an example, Aruna revealed that when they were working together on the film, Aurat Aurat Aurat, she had a wonderful lead role, which other actors often dreamt of. At the same time, she gave her best to it, but some people like Rekha got it cut due to which it couldn’t see the light of the day. In her words:
“Producers ki wajah se picture bante bante 6 saal lag gaye. Mera bahut accha role tha, central character tha. Anybody would pray for that kind of a role. Fir kaafi logon ki wajah se kaat dena pada. Rekha ji humari, voh dene hi nahi deti thi, ki nahi Aruna ka role bhut accha hai.”
She recalled another instance when the Silsila actress got her removed from the 1981 film, Mangalsutra. Aruna revealed that initially, she was cast in a role in the film, but Rekha, despite being friends with her, had got her removed. Initially, the Aulad actress wasn’t aware of why she was being removed from the film and asked the producer about the same. However, she was shocked to heard him say that he did so because Rekha didn’t want her in it. Later, Aruna confronted her, and Rekha gave an unexpected reply. Sharing the conversation, Aruna said:
“Rekha removed me from a film even though she was a good friend of mine. She still is. But when she took me out of Mangalsutra, I asked the producer, ‘Why did you remove me even after paying my signing amount?’ He said, ‘Rekha ji never wanted you in the film.’ When I confronted her, Rekha told me, ‘Aruna, if you pull off the role too well emotionally, I’ll start looking like a vamp in the film.’ So she cut me off.”
When Aruna Irani blamed Rekha for the failure of her brother’s film, Super Nani
Aruna Irani doesn’t have any hard feelings for Rekha, and they are good friends. But, once a tiff between them became a public discussion when Rekha worked in her brother, Indra Kumar’s film, Super Nani. The film tanked at the box office, and as per India News, Aruna, in an interview with a leading daily, mentioned that Rekha didn’t promoted the film as per need, which led to the film’s failure, and she was equally responsible as her brother. At the same time, Aruna mentioned that after going on reality TV shows, the veteran actress promoted herself, her singing and yesteryear romance and not the film.
More about Aruna Irani
Aruna Irani made her debut as a child artist in the film, Ganga Jumna in 1961 and continued to play minor roles in Jahanara, Farz, Upkar and more. She became a popular actress through her pairing with Mehmood in Aulad, Humjoli, Naya Zamana, Garam Masala and Bombay To Goa among others. Some of her most popular films include Bobby, Rocky, Sargam, Beta and more. The veteran actress in later part of her career has turned to work in TV with shows like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Maayka and Dastaan-E-Mohabbat Salim Anarkali, among others.
What do you think about Aruna Irani’s revelations about Rekha?
Next Read: Aruna Irani Reveals Why She Didn’t Have Kids With Kuku Kohli, ‘Neena Gupta Ko Courage Hai’
