Mumbai, India – Veteran Bollywood actor Govardhan Asrani, fondly known as Asrani, passed away in Mumbai on Monday at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness. The news of his demise has sent shockwaves through the film industry and his vast fanbase, especially considering his last social media activity. Hours before his death, Asrani had shared a "Happy Diwali" greeting on his Instagram story, which makes his passing even more heartbreaking for his admirers.
Asrani's manager, Babu Bhai Thiba, confirmed that the actor passed away at 3 PM at Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu. His nephew, Ashok Asrani, also confirmed the news. The last rites were performed at Santacruz Crematorium on Monday evening, with family members in attendance.
Born on January 1, 1941, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Asrani's career spanned over five decades, during which he appeared in over 350 Hindi films. He was a versatile actor who played lead roles, character roles, comedic roles, and supporting roles. He was best known for his role as the eccentric jailer in the iconic film Sholay. Reflecting on the enduring appeal of his Sholay character, Asrani mentioned earlier this year that he was always asked to recite those dialogues at every function and event he attended.
Asrani began his film journey in the 1960s and gained prominence in the 1970s as a reliable character actor. His filmography includes memorable performances in films such as Mere Apne, Koshish, Bawarchi, Parichay, Abhimaan, Chupke Chupke, Chhoti Si Baat, and Rafoo Chakkar. He also appeared in several hit comedies, including Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Dhamaal, Bunty Aur Babli 2, R... Rajkumar, All The Best, and Welcome. He starred in 25 films with Rajesh Khanna between 1972 and 1991. Asrani was last seen in Dream Girl 2, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday.
Beyond acting, Asrani also explored writing and direction. In 1977, he wrote, directed, and starred in Chala Murari Hero Banne, which received critical acclaim. He also directed Salaam Memsaab in 1979 and worked extensively in Gujarati cinema, where he enjoyed a large fan base.
The actor won Filmfare Award twice in his career. The first was for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Abhimaan in 1974.
Asrani is survived by his wife, actress Manju Asrani, his sister, and nephew. The industry mourns the loss of a talented actor and comedian who brought smiles to the faces of generations of filmgoers.
