Shanelle Irani is an Indian advocate who is the daughter of the Indian politician Smriti Irani’s husband Zubin Irani and his first wife Mona Irani.
Wiki/Biography
Shanelle Irani was born on Friday, 13 October 1989 (age 33 years; as of 2022) in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Her zodiac sign is Libra. Shanelle completed her schooling at the Bai Avabai Framji Petit Girls High School in Mumbai (1993-2005). In 2005, she enrolled herself at the Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai, where she earned a higher secondary certificate in commerce (H.S.C Commerce). In 2007, Shanelle pursued Bachelor of Legal Science & Bachelor of Legislative Law (B.L.S., LLB) at the Government Law College, Mumbai. In 2015, she earned a degree in Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., United States.
Childhood picture of Shanelle Irani (right) with her mother Mona Irani
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 4″
Weight (approx.): 55 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Family & Ethnicity
Shanelle Irani belongs to a Parsi family.
Parents & Siblings
Shanelle’s father, Zubin Irani, is a businessman, who got married twice. His first wife, Mona Irani, is a model coordinator and casting director. Together, the couple has a daughter, Shanelle Irani.
Shanelle Irani with her mother Mona Irani
After getting divorced from Mona, in 2001, Zubin got married to the Indian politician and former actress Smriti Irani. Together, they have two children; a son named Zohr Irani, who was born in 2001, and Zoish Irani, a businesswoman, who was born in 2003.
From left to right: Shanelle’s stepmother, Smriti Irani, her stepbrother Zohr Irani, her father Zubin Irani, her stepsister Zoish Irani, and Shanelle Irani
Husband
On 9 February 2023, Shanelle got married to Arjun Bhalla, a Canada-based lawyer, at the Khimsar Fort, Nagaur, Rajasthan in the presence of their friends and family members.
Arjun Bhalla and Shanelle Irani
Shanelle Irani and Arjun Bhalla’s wedding photo
Other Relatives
Shanelle’s father-in-law’s name is Sunil Bhalla, and her mother-in-law’s name is Sabina Bhalla. Her brother-in-law’s name is Amar Bhalla.
Arjun Bhalla (second from left) with his father Sunil Bhalla (extreme left), her mother Sabina Bhalla, and brother Amar Bhalla
Shanelle’s step-maternal grandparents are Ajay Kumar Malhotra and Shibani Bagchi.
Shanelle Irani’s step-maternal-grandmother, Shibani Bagchi
Shibani served as an ex-member of the Indian right-wing political party Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which was the political arm of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Shanelle Irani’s maternal grandmother
Shanelle’s father, Zubin Irani with his parents
Relationships/Affairs
After dating Shanelle Irani for a while, Arjun proposed to her for marriage. On 25 December 2021, Shanelle’s stepmother, Smriti Irani, shared a post on Instagram in which she announced Arjun and Shanelle’s engagement. Smriti wrote,
To the man who now has our heart @arjun_bhalla welcome to our madcap family .. bless you for you have to deal with a crazy man for a father in law and worse .. me for a Saas (you have been officially warned) God bless.”
Arjun Bhalla while proposing to Shanelle Irani
Religion
Shanelle follows Zoroastrian.
Career
In June 2009, Shanelle was appointed as a judicial clerk to assist an Indian judge A. S. Oka, who was elevated to judge of the Supreme Court of India on 26 August 2021. After serving as a judicial clerk for two months, Shanelle joined as an intern at Hariani and Company in Mumbai in June 2010 and served the organisation for ten months. In June 2011, she joined the Wadia Ghandy & Company, a law firm in Mumbai, as a trainee solicitor and served there till May 2014. From September 2014 to May 2015, Shanelle assisted the Additional Solicitor General of India as a counsel. In January 2016, she joined Foley Hoag LLP, a law firm in Washington, D.C., as a legal extern and served for four months in the firm. In September 2016, Shanelle was appointed as an intern at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, a law firm in the United States, and served there till March 2017. From April 2017 to September 2017, she worked as an international arbitration intern at WilmerHale, a law firm in London, United Kingdom. Shanelle, in April 2018, was appointed as an associate at Al Tamimi & Company, a corporate law firm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and she worked there till October 2019. She joined the law firm WilmerHale again in November 2019 as an associate, and in January 2022, she was promoted to senior associate.
Facts/Trivia
- Shanelle follows a non-vegetarian diet.
- Shanelle is fondly called Shenna by her friends and family members.
- Shanelle is fond of travelling. In an interview, she stated that one of her favourite travel destinations is the United States of America (USA).
- Zubin is a childhood friend of the Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. On 7 May 2017, Shah Rukh Khan shared an Instagram post in which he revealed that he named Zubin’s daughter ‘Shanelle.’
An Instagram post shared by Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan, where he talked about naming Zubin Irani’s daughter Shanelle
- Shanelle is well-versed in Hindi, English, and Gujarati languages.
- Shanelle’s father, Zubin Irani, serves as a director in a few companies like Tripta Technologies Private Limited, Navanita Foods & Dairy Private Limited, Anchorage Solutions Private Limited, Ugraya Agro Farms Private Limited, Villanix Realtors & Hospitality Private Limited, and Ugraya Mercantile Private Limited.
- During her school days, Shanelle served as a student council member (2003-2004). Additionally, she was appointed vice house captain (2003-2004) and house captain (2004-2005).
- During her school days, Shanelle developed an interest in debating. Consequently, in 2005, she participated and won the regional round in the British Council debate competition. The same year, she secured her position as the runner-up at the national level of the British Council debate competition.
- In 2005, while studying at Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, Shanelle participated in a student conference, organised by a youth organisation, Indian International Model United Nations (IIMUN). The following year, she was appointed as the head of administration of The Indian Youth Conclave (TIYC) and also took part in the conference organised by Ecole Mondiale Model United Nations.
- Initially, Shanelle’s mother, Mona Irani, worked as a model coordinator for a few popular Bollywood films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), and Dhoom (2004). In 2006, she launched her own casting agency, Mona Irani Casting Agency in Mumbai.
- In June 2008, while pursuing her bachelor’s degree at the Government Law College in Mumbai, Shanelle was appointed as the secretary coordinator of the Moot Court Association. In May 2009, she was appointed as the assistant general secretary of the Moot Court Association. Additionally, she served as a member of the Student Council, Co-ordinating Committee, and Alumni Association.
- In July 2012, Shanelle enrolled as an advocate at the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.
- Shanelle’s stepmother, Smriti Irani, a member of Lok Sabha from Amethi Constituency, was appointed as the Human Resource Development Minister on 26 May 2014, in Narendra Modi‘s cabinet, making her the youngest cabinet minister at that time.
- In 2015, while pursuing her master’s degree from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, Shanelle served as a member of a few societies like the Alumni Liaison, Georgetown International Arbitration Society (GIAS), Georgetown Society of International Law (GSIL), and Foreign Lawyers at Georgetown (FLAG).
- Shanelle enrolled as an attorney with the New York State Bar in July 2017.
- Shanelle is often spotted consuming alcoholic beverages on different occasions.
Shanelle Irani and Arjun Bhalla, holding a glass of champagne
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
