Veteran Bollywood actor and comedian Asrani passes away at 84
Just a few hours before his death, Asrani had published a Diwali post wishing his fans well on the occasion.
Master actor and director Govardhan Asrani passed away at the age of 84. The actor, popularly known as Asrani, passed away in Mumbai on Monday after a long illness. His last rites were performed at Santacruz Crematorium. The last rites of Hindi cinema’s versatile actor Asrani were held today at Shastri Nagar Crematorium in West Santacruz and no movie star was present there. This was because he told his wife Manju that he did not want chaos at his funeral and wanted to leave peacefully. Just a few hours before his death, the actor had published a Diwali post on his social media account, wishing his fans on the occasion.
Who was Goverdhan Asrani?
Asrani was one of Indian cinema’s most enduring comic actors. He was originally based in Jaipur, Rajasthan. He completed his education at St. Petersburg, Jaipur. He received it from Xavier School. He has worked in more than 350 films throughout his career spanning over fifty years. He studied at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, where he honed his craft before entering the Hindi film industry in the mid-1960s.
Although Asrani started with serious and supporting roles, his true talent for comedy soon emerged. It became a staple of Hindi cinema in the 1970s and 1980s; he often portrayed the lovable fool, the fussy clerk, or the witty sidekick. His impeccable timing and expressive face made him a favorite with directors. His roles in classic films like ‘Sholay’, ‘Chupke Chupke’ and many more made him a prominent name in the field of acting.
One of his most iconic performances came in the landmark film of Indian cinema, ‘Sholay’, as the bumbling guard parodying Hitler, a role that has become an immortal part of Indian popular culture. Asrani has also proven his versatility by working across genres and languages, including Gujarati and Rajasthani films, and has even ventured into directing with a few Hindi and Gujarati films. Mehmood bridged the generations of comedy in Bollywood by forming unforgettable comedy partnerships with actors like Rajesh Khanna and later Govinda.
Beyond humor, Asrani occasionally exhibited his dramatic range in films such as Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar and Chala Murari Hero Banne, and also took over the director’s chair. His contribution to Hindi cinema lies not only in laughter but also in consistency; the sign of a true entertainer who evolves over time but is rooted in charm and simplicity.
(With inputs from IANS)
