Legendary Actor Asrani Passes Away at 84

Asrani, a mascot of hilarity and good cheer on Indian screens, passed away on Monday (October 20) in a Mumbai hospital. He was 84.

According to reports, Asrani — whose full name was Govardhan Asrani — had been admitted to Bharatiya Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu after developing breathing issues. His manager Babubhai Thiba told PTI, “He (Asrani) was a bit unwell. He was admitted following breathing issues. He passed away today at 3:00 PM. We were told by the doctors that water had accumulated in his lungs.”

In a career spanning over six decades, Asrani acted in over 300 films in Hindi and Gujarati cinema. His most iconic role came as the Chaplin-esque jailer in Sholay (1975), who is given the slip by Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. His famous lines from the film such as “aadhe idhar jao, aadhe udhar jao” or “hum angrezo ke zamane ke jailer hai” are seared in the popular consciousness.

A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Asrani was a draw with acclaimed Middle Cinema directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Gulzar. Mukherjee cast him in memorable secondary roles in classics such as Satyakam, Guddi, Chupke Chupke, Bawarchi and Abhimaan, while Gulzar cast him as Satrughan Sinha’s cohort in his directorial debut, Mere Apne.

Asrani also directed six films and has singing credits alongside Kishore Kumar in Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan (1978).

In his later career, Asrani worked frequently with Priyadarshan in his rollicking Hindi comedies. In Hera Pheri (2000), for instance, he is delightful as the besieged bank manager negotiating a truce between Suniel Shetty and Tabu. “Mr Shyam… Mr Shyam,” he intones comically, pleading with Shetty’s character.

Akshay Kumar, who worked with Asrani in multiple films including Hera Pheri, Bhagam Bhag, De Dana Dan, and Welcome, expressed his condolences on social media. “Speechless with grief at the passing of Asrani ji. We had just shared the warmest of hugs just a week back at the shoot of ‘Haiwaan’. Bahot pyare insaan the… He had the most legendary comic timing,” Kumar wrote, adding that he had “worked and learned so much from him.”

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee, who collaborated with Asrani on Welcome and Singh is Kinng, described him as “a fantastic actor and an equally great human being,” reminiscing their 40-year association. “He had a trademark style in terms of how he would laugh, and no other actor could do it. He was a versatile actor but people know him more so for his comedy. I’ll miss him a lot,” Bazmee said.

Anupam Kher also paid tribute in an emotional video, captioning it with, "Dearest #AsraniJi! Thank you for making the world a better place to be in with your persona!! On and off screen! We will miss you in physical form! But cinema and your ability to make people laugh will keep you alive for years to come! Om Shanti"