Aruna Irani reveals why-- State Govt  Award in memory of ‘showman’ Raj Kapoor  presented to her by Maha-State C.M.--- is  super-sentimental for her?  By Chaitanya Padukone (Sr. Journalist)

The entire invited audience cheered and  applauded as veteran yet evergreen acclaimed Bollywood actress and graceful dancer  Aruna Irani went up on stage recently to accept her State Government instituted prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award-Trophy-Honour Certificate  in memory of ‘showman Raj Kapoor-saab.   The top level political dignitaries who conferred the honor on the versatile Aruna, comprised Maharashtra  Hon’ble Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and  Deputy C.M. Devendra Fadnavis,  Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mugantiwar and also veteran eminent film-producer Kiran V.Shantaram. While receiving the special award,  the sentimental Aruna became joyfully emotional.   

Speaking exclusively to me, the  (Bombay to Goa, Caravan, Love Story  and Beta brilliant  actress and amazing dancer ) Aruna  politely explained why the Award  was so sentimentally extra-special for her..   Reacted articulate Aruna, “ First of all, the Award which I received, is named after legend ‘showman’  film-maker Raj Kapoor-saab, with whom I had the privilege-honor to work  in this  musical super-hit iconic movie ‘Bobby’(1973)  . Secondly it was presented to me  by the topmost political authorities in Maharashtra State, that too in Mumbai city. Which has been my karma-bhoomi and  has given me so much respect-stardom- recognition  for my talents. Not many people may be aware, that my mother Shaguna Rao was also a Maharashtrian,”  discloses exuberant Irani

 Regarding legendary director-mentor  Raj-saab. Aruna  recalls, “Even after 50 years, millions of fans still vividly remember my dances in  ‘Bobby’ movie during the songs ( ‘Main Shaayar Toh Nahin’ and ‘Aae Phansaa’)  and my brief role, ” asserts Aruna who has very fond memories of her shooting experiences with  Raj-saab.  She opens up, “ One of visionary Raj-saab’s main attributes was that he would always check and ensure that every artiste in the cast including me, was ‘comfortable’ on the sets and while giving the shot.  A great master of  on-screen emotions, romance, music-songs and connecting with the common-man  audience, Raj-ji was an overall an epitome of  ‘perfection’  recalls Aruna,

Did music-savvy director Raj-ji  hire a special choreographer for her songs ?   “For this evergreen waltz-rhythm song ‘ Main Shaayar Toh Nahi, picturised on  handsome young Rishi Kapoor lip-sync singing and with me dancing,  director  Raj-saab  hired this young  dance -instructor Saloni who was actually  a ‘ballet-dancer’. As you will observe, this song was picturized with me dancing gracefully, in ‘non-filmy’ graceful movements to the waltz-rhythm and instrumental music.  Whereas in this other complex rhythm song ‘Aae Phansaa’, he got the famous dance-master Sohanlal who gave me very intricate dance movements to match the complex rhythmic tempo . It was an honour also for me to perfectly lip-sync to Lata Mangeshkar-Didi’s voice,”  smiles madame Irani  who still fondly remembers Raj-saab’s genuine caring-concern and friendly- warm nature all thru her shoot.   

Currently, staunch Lord Ganesha-bhakt  Aruna  ( happily married to eminent film-maker Kuku Kohli) who  has featured in over 306 movies  and is quite health-conscious, is currently shooting for this new ‘period’ movie. She discloses, “ It is based on the  destruction and reconstruction of the sacred Somnath Mandir. Out here here on-screen  I am playing a brief role ‘fortune-teller’ who predicts correctly. How I wish, sometimes, I had such forecasting powers, in real-life, also ,” laughs Aruna heartily.

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