Veteran actor Asrani dies at 84

• Veteran actor Govardhan Asrani passed away in Mumbai on October 20. He was 84.

• A veteran of more than 300 films spanning over five decades, Asrani portrayed unforgettable characters in ‘Sholay’, ‘Namak Haram’ and ‘Guddi’, and was known for his comic timing. 

• Many fans remember him for the role of the jailer in ‘Sholay’.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Asrani as a truly versatile artist who entertained audiences across generations.

A career spanning over five decades

• Asrani acted with some of the biggest directors in each era of his five-decade-long career and worked with almost every top star be it Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan or others. 

• Though trained at the FTII, Asrani was pigeonholed in comedic roles. 

• He first got noticed for his role in ‘Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar’. 

• His other memorable role is of a man competing with the hero for the attention of the same woman in ‘Chhoti Si Baat’.

• Asrani started his Hindi cinema career with 1967 film ‘Hare Kaanch Ki Churiyan’ and then went on to act in several movies. 

• Hrishikesh Mukherjee was a mentor and guide to the actor and always gave him a role in his movies. 

• He also acted in many of Gulzar’s films like ‘Mere Apne’, ‘Koshish’ and ‘Parichay’. Asrani’s other popular roles were in movies such as ‘Bawarchi’, ‘Abhimaan’ and ‘Chupke Chupke’.

• In the 2000s, he paired up with Priyadarshan for many of the director’s comedies like ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Chup Chup Ke’, ‘Hulchul’, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ and ‘Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal’.

• There were a few movies where he starred in negative roles such as ‘Chaitali’ and ‘Koshish’. 

• He also directed the movie ‘Chala Murari Hero Banne’.