Veteran actor and filmmaker Govardhan Asrani, fondly known as Asrani, passed away in Mumbai on October 20 after a prolonged illness. He was 84.
Confirming the news, his manager Babu Bhai Thiba told ANI, “Asrani passed away today at 3 pm at Arogya Nidhi Hospital, Juhu.”
His family also shared a statement on his Instagram profile, which read: “Our beloved, the one who brought smiles to everyone’s faces, Asrani ji is no longer among us. His passing is an irreparable loss for both Hindi cinema and our hearts. The indelible mark he left through his performances will remain eternal. May God grant peace to his soul. Om Shanti.”
Born in Jaipur on January 1, 1941, Asrani began his career as a voice artist at All India Radio before training in acting under Sahitya Kalabhai Thakkar. Moving to Mumbai in 1962, he joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) on the recommendation of filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee, graduating in 1966.
His breakthrough came with Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s ‘Guddi’ (1971), in which he played an aspiring actor alongside Jaya Bhaduri (Bachchan). The film’s success established him as a beloved comic and character actor.
Over the next five decades, Asrani appeared in over 350 films, including classics such as ‘Bawarchi’, ‘Namak Haraam’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Abhimaan’, ‘Parichay’, ‘Chhoti Si Baat’ and ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’.
His unforgettable turn as the eccentric jailor in Ramesh Sippy’s ‘Sholay’ remains one of Indian cinema’s most iconic comedic performances.
Speaking to the BBC earlier this year, Asrani reflected on the film’s 50th anniversary, “There hasn’t been a single event where I haven’t been asked to recite those dialogues. I salute Ramesh Sippy saab and Salim-Javed saab, people still remember that role after 50 years.”
Asrani also directed six films and continued acting into his later years, last seen in the 2023 comedy ‘Non Stop Dhamaal’.
He is survived by his wife, actress Manju Asrani. His last rites were held at Santacruz Crematorium on Monday evening. Just hours before his passing, he had wished fans a Happy Diwali on social media.
