Meet the popular actor of the 90s, Adi Irani, who was often seen in supporting roles. His struggle story stands as a testament to his resilience.
The 90s saw the rise in many multi-starrer films and along with the actors, many supporting artists too came in the limelight. One such supporting actor was Adi Irani, who has worked with some of the leading Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Govinda, Akshay Kumar and many others.
Adi Irani, who mostly played negative roles made his acting debut in 1978 with the film Trishna. He was later seen in popular films like Dil, Beta, Baazigar, Baadshah, Welcome and a few other films. Not just this, Adi has also acted in TV serials like Kausauti Zindagii Kay, Yahaaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli, Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand, C.I.D and many others. Despite appearing in some of the biggest blockbusters in the 90s, Adi faced extreme financial crunch. Let us read on to know many unknown aspects of his life.
Adi Irani was born in a family of stars as his father, Faridun Irani ran a drama troupe and his mother, Shaguna was an actress. Adi Irani is raised among his eight siblings. His brother, Indra Kumar is a popular director and producer in Bollywood and his sister, Aruna Irani, too is an acclaimed actress. Actress Bindu is his cousin.
Despite starring in some popular films along with the leading men of Bollywood, Adi never saw success and dealt with extreme financial crunch. Even during his childhood, Adi faced monetary struggles and started working as a theatre artist to look after his family. In the 1990s, when Adi starred alongside superstars Shah Rukh and Salman, the actor struggled to pay for petrol.
In an interview with Filmytantra Media, Adi recalled that his 1993 film, Baazigar, starring Shah Rukh Khan in a titular role grossed Rs. 32 crores, it did not benefit him. Recalling how he struggled to buy milk for his daughter, Adi shared:
“My first daughter was born in 1995, and at that point in time, milk cost Rs. 5, and sometimes I did not even have that. Every day I had to go out into the city and meet people for jobs and roles, and I had borrowed my friend’s scooter. Sometimes, I did not even have money to fill up the tank. I used to walk from my house to the bus stop on the days I couldn’t afford petrol.”
When Adi Irani began his career, his sister, Aruna Irani was already an established actress. Adi has worked with his sister in many projects. He played her son in the popular film, Beta and also did a few shows with her. Even when Aruna Irani directed and produced TV shows, Adi got a chance to work with her and he once recounted how she managed to get the best out of him as an actor.
Aruna knew Adi’s financial struggles and often offered to help him financially, but he never accepted. As per Adi, though Aruna was his elder sister, but that didn’t mean she needed to take care of him or his family. Despite the many offers by Aruna, Adi refused any financial help from her.
Adi Irani had a love marriage with Dawn Irani and the couple has two beautiful daughters, Anaida Irani and Araaya Irani. If there was one person Adi Irani relied during his struggling days, then it was his wife, Dawn Irani. She stood by him throughout the toughest times and became his source of strength. Appreciating his wife’s contribution to his life, Adi stated:
“People should admire my wife. Without her, I would have never gotten back up. Ours being a love marriage, sometimes I felt guilty that she had to struggle because of me.”
Adi Irani’s struggles show what lies beneath the glittering world of glamour. Behind the popular names, there are many struggle stories and harsh realities which rarely come into the limelight.
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