June 16, 2025: Veteran Bollywood actor Aruna Irani, best known for her iconic supporting roles in the 1970s and 1980s, recently made a candid revelation about her past experience with superstar Rekha. In a tell-all interview with Lehren Retro, Aruna shared how Rekha once got her removed from a film and even had her scenes cut in another, fearing she would outshine her emotionally on-screen.
Aruna recalled her role in the film Aurat Aurat Aurat, which took six years to complete due to production delays. Speaking about it, she said,
“Mera bhut accha role tha, central character tha. 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.”
(“I had a great central role. But due to a few people, it had to be cut down. Rekha didn’t allow it, saying Aruna’s role was too good.”)
The more shocking revelation came when Aruna recounted being removed from the film Mangalsutra, where she was initially signed as the second lead. The reason? Rekha allegedly didn’t want to be overshadowed.
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“I asked the producer why I was dropped after being signed, and he told me it was Rekha’s decision. When I confronted Rekha, she said, ‘If you perform the role too well emotionally, I’ll look like a vamp.’ So she cut me off,” Aruna shared.
Mangalsutra, which eventually starred Rekha, Anant Nag, and Prema Narayan, explored deep themes of marriage, sacrifice, and societal expectations. But Aruna’s version of events sheds light on the power dynamics that often went unseen behind the glamour of Bollywood.
About Aruna Irani
Aruna Irani has been a powerhouse of talent in Indian cinema, acting in over 500 films across Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, and Kannada languages. From iconic roles in Bobby, Sargam, Suhaag, to her memorable performance in Beta, she became known for portraying both maternal and vamp characters with equal flair. Later, she transitioned to television as a producer and director, leaving a lasting legacy in Indian entertainment.