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John Abraham to Elnaaz Norouzi: 8 Bollywood celebrities with Iranian roots you probably didn’t know about

From Mumtaz and Feroz Khan to John Abraham and Elnaaz Norouzi, here are eight Bollywood personalities whose family roots trace back to Iran.

By Shiwani Kumari | Updated: March 14, 2026 12:31 PM IST

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Bollywood Stars With Iranian Heritage

From legendary stars of the golden era to contemporary actors making waves on OTT platforms, these personalities share fascinating family histories linked to Iranian ancestry. While many fans admire their work on screen, not everyone is aware of their cross-cultural backgrounds and the stories behind them. Here’s a closer look at eight Bollywood celebrities with Iranian roots, their family backgrounds, and how they became a part of the Indian entertainment industry.

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John Abraham

Bollywood actor John Abraham is known for films like Dhoom, Madras Cafe and Pathaan. His background reflects a unique blend of cultures. John’s father is a Malayali Syrian Christian from Kerala, while his mother Firoza Irani belongs to the Irani Zoroastrian community. Interestingly, several of his relatives still live in Iran, particularly in cities like Yazd and Shiraz.

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Feroz Khan

Legendary actor, filmmaker and producer Feroz Khan, born Zulfiqar Ali Shah Khan, was one of Bollywood’s most stylish personalities. He was known for films like Qurbani, Dharmatma and Janbaaz. His mother Fatima had Iranian heritage with Persian ancestry, while his father Sadiq Ali Khan Tanoli was an Afghan immigrant from Ghazni province in Afghanistan. Because of this lineage, the Khan family, including actor Fardeen Khan, also carries Iranian roots.

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Mumtaz

Yesteryear Bollywood star Mumtaz remains one of the most loved actresses of the 1960s and 1970s. Known for hit films like Do Raaste, Khilona and Roti, she ruled the silver screen during her time. Mumtaz was born to Abdol Salim Askari, a dry fruits vendor, and Shadi Habib Agha, who hailed from Mashhad in Iran. Her father belonged to a family of imams. Interestingly, Mumtaz was born just a year before her parents separated, after which she was largely raised by her mother.

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Mandana Karimi

Model and actress Mandana Karimi was born in Tehran, Iran, to a Muslim family with an Iranian-Indian father and a Persian mother. Before entering the entertainment industry, she worked as a flight attendant. She later moved into modelling and eventually Bollywood. Mandana appeared in films like Bhaag Johnny and Roy, and became widely recognised after participating in Bigg Boss 9, where she finished as runner-up, and later in Lock Upp.

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Boman Irani

Actor Boman Irani, known for memorable roles in films like Munna Bhai MBBS, 3 Idiots and PK, comes from an Irani Zoroastrian family in Mumbai. His father Rustam Irani passed away before Boman was born, and he was raised by his mother who ran a bakery. The actor has often spoken about how his Irani heritage and upbringing shaped his personality and work ethic.

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Elnaaz Norouzi

Actress and model Elnaaz Norouzi was born in Iran in the early 1990s before moving to Germany with her family at the age of eight. She later entered the entertainment industry and gained popularity in India through projects like Sacred Games, Abhay, Made in Heaven, and the international film Kandahar.

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