Famous Zoroastrians In The Field Of Indian Entertainment

Mumbai is home to several Zoroastrians, who shifted here from Persia and Iran after the Islamic invasions in these countries. Today, the largest population of Zoroastrians resides in India and they are an integral part of the life and culture of Mumbai. They have contributed a lot in its development and continue to mark their presence felt in every sector of the society.

Today, we present to you the famous Zoroastrians in the field of Indian entertainment.

1. Ardeshir Irani
He is, and will always be, remembered as the person who gave voice to Indian movies. He directed the 1931 film Alam Ara, which was the first sound film of India. In his professional career, he made films in several languages and immortalised his name as the early contributors of Bollywood.

2. Boman Irani
Perhaps the best known Zoroastrian in Bollywood today, Boman Irani needs no introduction. Starting his career in 2001 with Everybody Says I’m Fine, he has established himself as the leading character actor in Bollywood today. Known for his comic roles, Boman Irani has also won awards for playing negative roles in movies.

3. Daisy Irani
One of the earliest child actors in Indian cinema, Daisy Irani started acting when she was only three years old. Some of the most memorable roles she did as a child actor were in the movies Jagte Raho, Bhai Bhai, Naya Daur and Dhool Ka Phool. Getting married at a tender age of 19, she made a comeback on screen in 1990s. She was last seen in Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi, directed by Bela Sehgal. She is the maternal aunt to Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, Sajid Khan and Farah Khan.

4. Honey Irani
She too started her career as a child actress (with her younger sister Honey Irani), she turned to script writing after her marriage with playwright Javed Akhtar went sour. The first film to have been penned down by Honey Irani was Sridevi and Anil Kapoor starrer Lamhe. Her other famous films include Aaina, Darr, Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, Koi... Mil Gaya, Krrish and Krrish 3. She is the mother of Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, and maternal aunt to Farah Khan and Sajid Khan.

5. Shammi Aunty
She was born as Nargis Rabadi, but has always been lovingly called as Shammi Aunty. Starting her career as a supporting actress in Begum Para and Sheikh Mukhtar starrer Ustad Pedro, she has completed more than 6 decades in the industry. She was last seen as Boman Irani’s grandmother in Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi.

6. Tanaaz and Bhakhtyar Irani
The celebrity couple is known for showing some dancing moves in the celebrity dance show Nach Baliye. Their stint in the third season of the popular show Bigg Boss made them a household name, with Bhaktyar Irani reaching in the final four. The couple will soon make a comeback on the television screen, with a new show Badi Door Se Aaye Hai by Hatsoff Productions. The show goes on air on 9th of June, on SAB TV. Delnaaz Irani is the sister of Bhakhtyar and is a famous TV artist herself, last seen in Sony TV’s Kehta Hai Dil Jee Le Zara.

Other than these, the industry also has several prominent actors and actresses who are half- Zoroastrians. These names include Aruna Irani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, John Abraham, Cyrus Broacha, Sajid Khan, Farah Khan and the late Farooq Sheikh.