Karisma Kapoor on Aruna Irani in 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi': 'She was brilliant'
Synopsis
On 'India's Best Dancer Season 5', Karisma Kapoor called herself 'truly fortunate' to have worked with both Aruna Irani and Helen — and singled out Aruna Irani's comic timing in the 'What Is Your Mobile Number' sequence from 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi' as 'absolutely brilliant'. It's a rare public spotlight on a veteran whose four-decade career shaped mainstream Bollywood comedy.
Key Takeaways
Karisma Kapoor appeared on 'India's Best Dancer Season 5' on 23 July and paid tribute to veteran actress Aruna Irani .
Karisma praised Aruna Irani's comic performance in the song 'What Is Your Mobile Number' from 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi' , calling it 'absolutely brilliant'.
The two actresses have collaborated across four films : 'Police Officer' (1990), 'Raja Babu' (1994), 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi' (1999), and 'Silsila Hai Pyar Ka' (1999).
Karisma also noted her fortune in having worked with both Aruna Irani and Helen , two of Bollywood's most celebrated supporting performers.
Aruna Irani has been active in the Hindi film industry for over four decades , with classics like 'Bombay to Goa' and 'Caravan' to her credit.
Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor revisited the nostalgia of her iconic comedy 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi' on 23 July, paying a heartfelt tribute to veteran performer Aruna Irani on the dance reality show 'India's Best Dancer Season 5'. Kapoor called herself fortunate to have shared screen space with two of Hindi cinema's most celebrated supporting actresses — Aruna Irani and Helen.
What Karisma Said on Stage
Speaking on the show, Karisma recalled Aruna Irani's standout comic performance in the song 'What Is Your Mobile Number' from 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi'. In her own words: "Aaj mujhe mauka mila hai aur aapne Aruna ji se pucha ki aapne Helen ji ke sath kaam kiya hai ya nahi. Lekin meri khush kismati hai ki maine Aruna Aunty aur Helen Aunty dono ke sath kaam kiya hai. 'Raja Babu', 'Police Officer', 'Silsila Hai Pyar Ka' and 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi' aur 'What Is Your Mobile Number' song mein Aruna ji bohot saari comedy kar rahi hain."
Translated, Karisma said she considered it a privilege to have worked with both legends, and singled out Aruna Irani's comic timing in the 'What Is Your Mobile Number' sequence as absolutely brilliant.
A Screen Partnership Spanning Decades
The bond between Karisma Kapoor and Aruna Irani stretches across several films and nearly a decade of collaboration. In director David Dhawan's 1994 blockbuster 'Raja Babu', Karisma played the role of Aruna Irani's daughter-in-law. The two also appeared together in the 1990 action drama 'Police Officer', where Karisma starred as Bijli opposite Jackie Shroff and Aruna Irani featured in a key supporting role.
The duo reunited in the 1999 comedy 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi', with Karisma portraying Aruna Irani's niece, and again in the 1999 romantic drama 'Silsila Hai Pyar Ka', where Karisma essayed Vanshika Mathur and Aruna Irani played Shakuntala Devi.
Aruna Irani: A Living Legend
Aruna Irani has been a fixture of the Hindi film industry for over four decades, delivering memorable performances in classics such as 'Bombay to Goa' and 'Caravan'. Her versatility — spanning comedy, drama, and dance — has earned her enduring respect across generations of filmmakers and audiences alike.
The Show's Tribute Moment
The segment on 'India's Best Dancer Season 5' served as a rare on-screen reunion of sorts, with Karisma's reminiscences drawing attention to Aruna Irani's often-understated contribution to mainstream Bollywood comedy. Notably, such tribute segments on reality shows have increasingly become a platform for celebrating veterans whose work defined the commercial cinema of the 1990s.
With 'India's Best Dancer Season 5' currently on air, the episode featuring Karisma Kapoor is expected to resonate strongly with audiences who grew up watching the duo's chemistry on the big screen.
Point of View
But it is filling a void.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Karisma Kapoor say about Aruna Irani on India's Best Dancer Season 5?
Karisma Kapoor said she considered herself fortunate to have worked with both Aruna Irani and Helen, and specifically praised Aruna Irani's comic performance in the song 'What Is Your Mobile Number' from 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi', calling her 'absolutely brilliant' in that sequence.
Which films did Karisma Kapoor and Aruna Irani do together?
The two worked together in four films: 'Police Officer' (1990), 'Raja Babu' (1994), 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi' (1999), and 'Silsila Hai Pyar Ka' (1999). Their roles ranged from mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in 'Raja Babu' to aunt and niece in 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi'.
What is 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi' and why is it significant?
'Haseena Maan Jaayegi' is a 1999 Bollywood comedy in which Karisma Kapoor played Aruna Irani's niece. The film is remembered for its comedy sequences, including the song 'What Is Your Mobile Number', which Karisma cited as a standout example of Aruna Irani's comic timing.
When does the Karisma Kapoor episode of India's Best Dancer Season 5 air?
Karisma Kapoor's appearance on 'India's Best Dancer Season 5' was reported on 23 July. The specific broadcast date of the episode was not confirmed in available reports.
