Mumbai: Bollywood has lost one of its comedy legends Asrani, the man who made generations laugh.
Govardhan Asrani, fondly known as Asrani, died on Monday at the age of 84. A part of Hindi cinema for over five decades, Asrani has certainly left behind an irreplaceable legacy based on laughs and impeccable comic timing.
His manager, Babu Bhai Theeba confirmed the news to ANI, saying that the veteran actor breathed his last at 3 pm at Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu. His last rites were performed through electric cremation at the Santa Cruz crematorium at 8 pm the same evening.
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Born on 1 January 1940 in Jaipur, Asrani grew up in a middle-class Sindhi family. His father ran a carpet business, but young Govardhan had little interest in business. Instead, he found his contribution in the performing arts. He completed his schooling from St. Xavier’s School and later graduated from Rajasthan College, also supporting himself by working as a voice artist in Jaipur.
Asrani began to develop an attraction towards acting during his college years. From 1960 to 1962 he trained under ‘Sahitya Kalbhai Thakkar’ before joining the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune in 1964, a decision that soon decided the direction of his life.
Asrani made his debut in 1967 with ‘Hare Kanch Ki Chudiyan’, in which he played the role of actor Vishwajeet’s friend. Before establishing his foothold in Hindi cinema, he appeared as a lead actor in many Gujarati films.
What happened next was a career that few in Bollywood history can match; Over 350 films spanning genres, generations and eras. Although he could play serious and supporting roles with equal ease, it was his comedic nature that made him a fan favorite.
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From the 1970s to the 1990s, Asrani was a familiar face on the big screen, an actor who could make even a small scene powerful. Her collaboration with Rajesh Khanna remains one of the most successful in Bollywood, with the two appearing in more than 25 films together between 1972 and 1991.
His many memorable performances include films like ‘Chupke Chupke,’ ‘Chhoti Si Baat,’ ‘Rafoo Chakkar,’ ‘Bavarchi,’ ‘Koshish,’ and ‘Mere Apne,’ which are as enjoyable to watch today as they were when they were first released.
But if one role immortalized Asrani forever, it was the role of the eccentric jail warden in Ramesh Sippy’s 1975 classic ‘Sholay’. With his wandering eyes, military cap and exaggerated English, Asrani’s “We are the jailers of the British era!” It became a line that transcended film, was repeated in classrooms and theater halls, and still lives on in rooms across generations.
Even after all this work, Asrani was never satisfied with staying in one lane. He wrote, directed and acted in the 1977 film ‘Chala Murari Hero Banne’, which received critical praise for its humor and heart. He later directed ‘Salaam Memsaab’ (1979) and remained active in Gujarati cinema, where he was equally appreciated by the audience.
Asrani spent decades transitioning from the golden age of Hindi cinema into the new millennium. In the 2000s, he gained new popularity among young audiences with roles in ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Bhaagam Bhaag’, ‘Dhamaal’, ‘Welcome’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’, proving once again that his comic timing was as sharp as ever.
Asrani’s work has earned him numerous honors, including two Filmfare Awards for Best Comedian, but perhaps his greatest achievement was his ability to make the audience laugh without malice, something few actors can do naturally.
He is survived by his wife Manju Asrani, his sister and nephew. The couple had no children.
For many, his demise marks the end of an era, a time when humor in Bollywood was based on innocence and timing rather than slapstick. Asrani represented a generation of actors who seamlessly combined art and entertainment, leaving behind characters that are remembered by generations even decades later.
He is survived by his wife Manju Asrani, his sister and nephew. The couple had no children.