Ex-film actress, Ruxana Sarosh Irani (alias Vaishali), and founder of 48-year-old dance institute, Vaishali Nritya Niketan, was felicitated with the ‘Thane Gaurav Award’ at Gadkari Rangayatan Auditorium on 1st October, 2018. Honoured by Cabinet and Guardian Minister, Eknath Shinde and Mayor Of Thane, Meenakshi Shinde, Ruxana was recognised for her achievements and awards in the past as an actress and as the leading lady, having starred in films like Raaja Harishchandra, Shravan Kumar and Jaal Saaz (Child Artiste) along with films like Boond Jo Ban Gaye Moti, Chowkidaar, Teen Bahuraaniyan, Raaton Ka Raaja, and many more. In the past, Ruxana has performed on the war front with Late Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt, at the Nathula Pass border, Bangladesh, to entertain our jawans in the Indian Army.

Ruxana’s dance institute was inaugurated by veteran actress, Nargis Dutt and Guru, Shri Gopi Krishna in 1972, and has gained great public acclaim for its various shows. One such dance event, ‘Karma’, conducted by her two daughters, Anaheeta and Namrata Irani, in aid of cancer, deaf and mute poor patients, in Thane and Mumbai since 2006, is highly popular and respected. Prepping up for one such show once again in 2019, Ruxana says, “This would not have been possible without my daughters’ support and the love from my students and friends. This is ultimately the reward of my ‘KARMA’.”