Aruna Irani Alleges Exploitation by Mehmood: Says Career Took a Hit

Veteran Bollywood actress Aruna Irani recently opened up in an interview about her professional and personal experiences with the late actor Mehmood, alleging that she was openly exploited during the early years of her career. She also shared shocking insights into the challenges faced by women in the Hindi film industry at the time.

Struggles in the Film Industry
Speaking to Zoom, Aruna recalled the difficulties she faced in securing work. “Every step was a challenge. Finding work outside was not easy. At that time, people in the film industry were always ready to exploit you. You had to be prepared for it. I used to appear extremely innocent, so no one could tell whether I understood what was happening or not,” she said.

She added that she would tactfully refuse advances, whether it was coffee, tea, or cold drinks, ensuring her focus remained on completing her work without falling victim to exploitation.

Relationship with Mehmood
Aruna revealed that Mehmood gave her her first break in films. She said, “That relationship began out of necessity, and that’s how things started between us. Later, our paths diverged as he moved on to other projects while I took up different shows. It was then I realized that he had been openly exploiting me.”

Despite the exploitation, Aruna clarified that she does not hold Mehmood solely responsible. “I acted out of compulsion, so I cannot blame him entirely. I was also a part of those dynamics, and eventually, the relationship ended.”

Impact on Career and Rumors
Aruna also spoke about how rumors regarding marriage affected her career. “Mehmood used to tell people that he had married me. As a result, filmmakers stopped offering me work, fearing that if I became pregnant, their projects would be delayed. It was a huge setback. Once such stories stopped circulating and I began working on my own merit, people realized that there was nothing between us.”

Personal Life
Aruna Irani married Kuku Kohli in 1990, who had previously been married to Ritu Kohli. The couple has two daughters, Pooja and Karishma. Aruna chose not to have children of her own to prevent her position as a second wife from affecting her children.