Veteran actor, comedian Asrani passes away at 84

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, Oct 21, 2025: Veteran Bollywood actor Govardhan Asrani, best known for his iconic comic roles, passed away on Monday at the age of 84. Born in Jaipur, Rajasthan, during British colonial rule, Asrani appeared in over 350 films across a career spanning more than five decades.

The veteran comedian, who rose to fame with Mere Apne in the early 1970s, had been battling age-related ailments. Just hours before his death, he had shared Diwali greetings with his fans on social media.

His last rites were held at Santacruz Crematorium in Mumbai, with family members in attendance. News agency ANI shared images from the ceremony on social media. “He 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," Asrani’s manager Babubhai Thiba said.

Asrani cemented his place in the hearts of Indian audiences with his portrayal of the eccentric “Jailor", modelled after Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator, in Sholay, the 1975 classic that turned 50 this year. Though his screen time was brief, the performance became legendary, especially his line, “Hum Angrezon ke zamaane ke jailer hain".

Earlier in August, when Sholay marked its golden jubilee, Asrani had said that there wasn’t a single event or function where he wasn’t asked to repeat his famous jailer dialogues. “It’s all because of Sippy Saab’s direction and Salim-Javed’s writing," he had said.

Asrani became a constant presence in Hindi cinema, especially through the 1970s and 1980s, when his comic timing made him a favourite of directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Basu Chatterjee, BR Chopra and KR Rao. He seamlessly transitioned into the next generation of comedies, working with filmmakers such as David Dhawan and Priyadarshan in the 2000s, appearing in hits like Hera Pheri, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and Gharwali Baharwali.

Other than Sholay, Asrani’s performances in Abhimaan, Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar and Balika Badhu were among his most acclaimed. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for both Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar and Balika Badhu. 

He was equally loved on television, especially for his role as Narada in Doordarshan’s 1985 serial Natkhat Narad.

Asrani also holds a rare distinction in Indian cinema. He has appeared as a character actor and comedian in the highest number of Hindi films within a decade, featuring in 101 films in the 1970s and 107 in the 1980s.

Asrani As A ‘Serious Actor’, Writer And Director

Though best known for his comic timing, Govardhan Asrani also explored serious and creative sides to his craft. In 1974, he wrote and directed a Gujarati film that featured the song Hu Amdavad No Rikshawalo, sung by Kishore Kumar.

The film inspired three other Hindi songs sung by Kishore Kumar — Achcha Chaloji Baba Maaf Kardo from Hamare Tumhare, Pyar Main Karoonga from Yeh Kaisa Insaaf and Mannu Bhai Motor Chali Pam, which he sang with Asrani. The last was picturised on Rishi Kapoor and Asrani in Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan.

A close friend of veteran actor Rajesh Khanna, Asrani later directed and played the lead role in Chala Murari Hero Banne, a Hindi film released in 1977 that was also critically acclaimed.

Meanwhile, his manager Thiba said that no one was informed about his demise as it was the veteran actor’s wish to keep his passing “a private thing." “We did not inform anyone about his demise as it was his wish that we should keep it private," the manager said.

Asrani is survived by his wife.