Irani is a term used to denote Indian Zoroastrians whose ancestors emigrated from Iran within the last two centuries, as opposed to the longer residing Parsis. 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 actually speak a form of Persian, the Dari dialect spoken by Iranian Zoroastrians. Their last names often resemble modern Iranian names, but many use the name of their ethnicity, Irani, as a surname unto itself. They are mostly located in modern-day Mumbai, India, and are famous for their restaurants and tea-houses. Many, such as Ardeshir Irani, have also become very famous in Bollywood cinema. Persian, (local name: FārsÄ« or PārsÄ«), is an Indo-European language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and by minorities in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Southern Russia, neighboring countries, and elsewhere. ... Zoroastrianism is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings ascribed to the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathushtra, Zartosht). ... a person from Pars (the middle-Persian word for Fars), a region now within the geographical boundaries of Iran, and is roughly the original homeland of the Persian people. ... The Persians of Iran (officially named Persia by West until 1935 while still referred to as Persia by some) are an Iranian people who speak Persian (locally named Fârsi by native speakers) and often refer to themselves as ethnic Iranians as well. ... Zoroastrianism is the religion and philosophy based on the teachings ascribed to the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathushtra, Zartosht). ... a person from Pars (the middle-Persian word for Fars), a region now within the geographical boundaries of Iran, and is roughly the original homeland of the Persian people. ... The Qajar dynasty was the ruling family of Persia from 1796 to 1925. ... Zoroastrian Fire Temple in Yazd Zoroastrians in Iran have had a long history, being the oldest religious community of that nation to survive to the present-day. ... a person from Pars (the middle-Persian word for Fars), a region now within the geographical boundaries of Iran, and is roughly the original homeland of the Persian people. ... Persian, (local name: FārsÄ« or PārsÄ«), is an Indo-European language spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and by minorities in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Southern Russia, neighboring countries, and elsewhere. ... Dari is a term used to denote one of several closely related Persian dialects spoken in what used to be Greater Khorasan: The official name for the Persian language in Afghanistan; see Dari (Afghanistan) One name used by Zoroastrians (the others being Gabri and Yazdi) to refer to the Northwestern... MumbaÄ« (Marathi: मुंबई, IPA: ), formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of the state of Maharashtra, and the most populous city of India, with an estimated population of about 13 million (as of 2006)[1]. Mumbai is located on the west coast of Maharashtra. ... Ardeshir Irani was an early director, actor, and producer in Bollywood. ... Movie poster for one of Bollywoods most popular films—Sholay (1975) Bollywood (Hindi: बॉलीवुड, Urdu: بالیوڈ) is the informal name given to the popular Mumbai-based Hindi language film industry in India. ...

Famous Iranis:

• Mehli Dinshaw Irani, Longest playing professional cricketer
• Ardeshir Irani, Bollywood director of the first Indian sound film, Alam Ara
• Meher Baba (Merwan Sheriar Irani), Indian spiritual master
• Aruna Irani, Bollywood actress
• Boman Irani, Bollywood actor
• Jenni Irani (Jamshed Khudadad Irani), cricketer
• Ronnie Irani, cricketer
• Sir Dinshah Irani, Zoroastrian leader who provided aid to the Zoroastrian community of Iran.
• Farrokh Irani, Industrialist (Founder of Ideal Jawa Motorcylces)

Ardeshir Irani was an early director, actor, and producer in Bollywood. ... Alam Ara, (English Translation: The Light of the World) a 1931 film directed by Ardeshir Irani, was the first Indian film with sound. ... Meher Baba in 1932 Meher Baba (in Persian: ‎), born Merwan Sheriar Irani (February 25, 1894 – January 31, 1969), was an Indian guru of Persian descent who told his followers that he was the Avatar (an incarnation of God). ... Aruna Irani is an Indian actress. ... Boman Irani is an Indian actor. ... Jamshed Khudadad (Jenni) Irani (August 18, 1923 – February 25, 1982) was a cricketer who represented India as a wicket-keeper in Test cricket. ... Ronald Charles Ronnie Irani (born 26 October 1971 in Leigh, Lancashire) is an British Asian cricketer of Parsi descent. ... Sir Dinshah Irani (November 4th, 1881-November 3rd, 1938) was an Indian lawyer and distinguished philanthropist of the Zoroastrian community in both India and Iran. ... Zoroastrianism was adapted from an earlier, polytheistic faith by Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) in Persia very roughly around 1000 BC (although, in the absence of written records, some scholars estimates are as late as 600 BC). ...

See also

• Persian people
• List of Iranis with Wikipedia articles