'Irani' is a term used to denote
Iranian Zoroastrians who have immigrated to India within the last two centuries, as opposed to most
Parsis who arrived in India over 1000 years ago. Many of them immigrated during the
Qajar era, when persecution of Iranian Zoroastrians was rampant. They are culturally and linguistically closer to the
Zoroastrians of Iran. Unlike the
Parsis, they speak a
Dari dialect, the language spoken by the Iranian Zoroastrians in
Yazd and
Kerman. Their last names often resemble modern Iranian names, however Irani is a common surname among them. They are mostly located in modern-day
Mumbai, India, and are famous for their restaurants and tea-houses.
[1] Some, such as
Ardeshir Irani, have also become very famous in
Bollywood cinema.
Famous Iranis:
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Mehli Dinshaw Irani, Longest playing professional cricketer
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Anosh Irani, Indo-Canadian novelist
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Ardeshir Irani, Bollywood director of the first
Indian sound film,
Alam Ara
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Meher Baba (Merwan Sheriar Irani), Indian spiritual master
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Aruna Irani, Bollywood actress
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Boman Irani, Bollywood actor
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Jenni Irani (Jamshed Khudadad Irani), cricketer
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Ronnie Irani, cricketer
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Sir Dinshah Irani, Zoroastrian leader who provided aid to the
Zoroastrian community of
Iran.
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Farrokh Irani, Industrialist (Founder of Ideal Jawa Motorcycles)
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Behzad Irani, Indian TV Commercial Celebrity
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J J Irani, Industrialist
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Honey Irani, Screenwriter (Krrish)
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Smriti Zubin Irani
See also
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Persian people
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