Ila Arun is a name that resonates with Indian cinema, folk music, and television entertainment. Known for her husky voice, powerful screen presence, and deep-rooted connection to Rajasthani culture, Ila Arun has carved a niche as a multifaceted Indian actress, model, singer, and TV personality. Her journey from the streets of Jaipur to the spotlight of Bollywood is a tale of talent, perseverance, and cultural pride.
This blog post explores her biography, personal life, career, controversies, and interesting facts, offering readers a comprehensive look at one of India’s most iconic entertainers.
Early Life and Upbringing
Born on 15 March 1954 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Ila Arun grew up in a Kanyakubja Brahmin family. Her father worked for the Rajasthan State Co-operative Bank, and her mother, Bhagwati Pandey, was a strong influence in her life. Ila spent her formative years in Jaipur, where she developed a love for folk music, theatre, and storytelling.
She graduated from Maharani Girls College, Jaipur, and later trained at the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi under the legendary Ebrahim Alkazi. Her early exposure to Rajasthani folk traditions, combined with formal education in drama, laid the foundation for her future in Indian entertainment.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ila Arun |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Alternative Name(s) | Iia Arun |
| Date of Birth | 15 March 1954 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 70 years |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Jodhpur, Rajasthan |
| Hometown | Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| Current Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Education Qualification | Graduate |
| Hobbies and Interests | Singing, Travelling |
| Languages Known | Hindi, Rajasthani, Tamil |
| Social Media Profiles | Facebook , Instagram |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Ila Arun – Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile link | Ila Arun – IMDb |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Hourglass |
| Measurements | 38-32-38 inches |
| Height | 5’4″, 163 cm |
| Weight | 141 lbs, 64 kg |
| Chest | 38 inches |
| Waist | 32 inches |
| Biceps | N/A |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Long, wavy |
| Distinctive Features | Husky voice, bindis |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Ila Arun is married to Arun Bajpai, a retired Merchant Navy officer. The couple has a daughter, Ishitta Arun, who is also an actress, writer, and performer. Ishitta has spoken openly about her admiration for her mother’s artistic legacy and fearless spirit.
Ila comes from a family deeply connected to the advertising and media world. Her brothers, Piyush Pandey and Prasoon Pandey, are renowned ad filmmakers. Her sisters, Rama Pandey and Tripti Pandey, are cultural activists and media professionals.
- Spouse: Arun Bajpai
- Daughter: Ishitta Arun
- Mother: Bhagwati Pandey
- Siblings: Piyush Pandey, Prasoon Pandey, Rama Pandey, Tripti Pandey
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Husband | Arun Bajpai |
| Father | Unknown name |
| Mother | Bhagwati Pandey |
| Children | Ishita Arun |
| Siblings | Piyush Pandey, Prasoon Pandey, Rama Pandey, Tripti Pandey |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | N/A |
| Significant Relationships | Arun |
Rise to Stardom
Ila Arun made her acting debut in 1983 with the film Ardh Satya, where she played Sneha Bajpai. That same year, she appeared in Mandi, directed by Shyam Benegal, portraying a brothel girl. These roles showcased her ability to portray complex characters with depth and authenticity.
Her breakthrough as a playback singer came with the song “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” from the film Khalnayak (1993). The song, co-sung with Alka Yagnik, became a cultural phenomenon and earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer.
She continued to shine in films like:
- Lamhe (1991) – Folk dancer and singer
- Jodhaa Akbar (2008) – Maham Anga
- Begum Jaan (2017) – Amma
- Raat Akeli Hai (2020) – Mrs. Yadav
- Sherni (2021) – Pawan’s mother
Ila Arun – Selfie
Ila Arun – Debut Film – Mandi
Ila Arun – Successful Film – Jodhaa Akbar
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Ila Arun’s career spans over four decades, covering film, television, music, and theatre. She is known for her folk-pop albums, playback singing, and powerful acting roles.
- Released over 10 folk-pop albums, including Vote for Ghagra, Banjaran, and Khichdi
- Sang for top music directors like Laxmikant-Pyarelal, A.R. Rahman, Bappi Lahiri, and Ilaiyaraaja
- Acted in critically acclaimed films and web series
- Founded Surnai Theatre and Folk Arts Foundation in 1983
- Trained at NSD, performed in over 10 theatre adaptations
- Filmfare Award – Best Female Playback Singer (Khalnayak)
- IIFA Nominee – Best Supporting Actress (Jodhaa Akbar)
- Screen Award Nominee – Negative Role (Jodhaa Akbar)
- GIMA Award – Best Rock Song (Dhima)
- International Iconic Award – Role in Aarya
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actress, Singer |
| Debut Film | Mandi (1983) |
| Notable Roles | Maham Anga, Amma, Ramsakhi, Mrs. Yadav, Nalini Sahiba |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Haddi, Mister Mummy, Kuch Khattaa Ho Jaay |
| Upcoming Films | Gul Gule Bakawali, The Bird Pagaliya |
| Popular Television Series | Aarya, Samvidhaan, Fame Gurukul, Bharat Ek Khoj, Lifeline |
| Awards and Achievements | Filmfare Award, IIFA Nominee, Screen Award Nominee, GIMA Award |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Cred, Rajasthan Royals (IPL), Coke Studio, Folk Albums |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Theatre Outreach, Folk Music Promotion, Cultural Advocacy |
| Professional Associations | Surnai Theatre Group, NSD Alumni |
| Training and Education | NSD Course, Maharani Girls College |
| Production Company | Surnai Theatre And Folk Arts Foundation |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Jodhaa Akbar, Khalnayak, Lamhe, Ghatak, Thugs of Hindostan |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Manto, Sherni, Well Done Abba, Raat Akeli Hai, Begum Jaan |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $40 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Sponsorship Deals | Cred UPI ad, Rajasthan Royals anthem, Coke Studio |
| Business Ventures | Surnai Theatre, Folk Arts Foundation |
| Investments | Theatre productions, music albums, autobiography |
| Real Estate Holdings | Gurugram LLP, Kolkata property |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Opera House wardrobe, designer sarees, antique jewelry |
| Cars Collection | BMW |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Amitabh Bachchan |
| Favorite Actress | Rekha |
| Favorite Film | Jodhaa Akbar |
| Favorite Music Bands | Coke Studio |
| Favorite Sport | Cricket |
| Favorite Books | Parde ke Peechhey |
| Favorite Colour | Red, Blue |
| Favorite Food | Rajasthani Cuisine |
| Things s/he like | Folk music, Theatre, Handlooms |
| Things s/he dislike | Remixes, Vulgar lyrics, Piracy |
Top 5 Best Films – Ila Arun
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Jodhaa Akbar | 2008 | Maham Anga |
| Lamhe | 1991 | Folk Dancer/Singer |
| Raat Akeli Hai | 2020 | Mrs. Yadav |
| Begum Jaan | 2017 | Amma |
| Well Done Abba | 2010 | Salma Ali |
Controversies – Ila Arun
- Choli Ke Peeche Song Controversy – Faced backlash for alleged obscenity; received court summons and public criticism
- AI Voice Usage Without Consent – Protested against unauthorized use of her voice in remixed versions of her songs
- Censorship in Theatre – Challenged moral policing and censorship in her plays and scripts
- Remix Culture Critique – Criticized the trend of recreating old songs without originality
- Autobiography Revelations – Her book Parde Ke Peechhey revealed industry secrets and personal struggles
Interesting Facts – Ila Arun
- Ila Arun sleeps only 4 hours a day and spends the rest working on creative projects
- She was one of the first Indian artists to release a folk album (Banjaran) in 1983
- She jokingly refers to herself as a tailor, thanks to the endless questions about her song Choli Ke Peeche
- She sang the IPL anthem “Halla Bol” for Rajasthan Royals
- She mentored contestants on Fame Gurukul, including Arijit Singh
- Her autobiography Parde Ke Peechhey was published by Penguin India and co-written with Anjula Bedi
Ila Arun is more than just an Indian actress or TV personality. She is a cultural icon, a folk ambassador, and a trailblazer in Indian entertainment. Her journey reflects the richness of regional cinema, the power of authentic storytelling, and the resilience of a woman who never backed down from challenges.
