NEW DELHI: Bollywood lost one of its brightest smiles this Diwali. Veteran actor Govardhan Asrani, fondly known simply as ‘Asrani’, passed away on Monday (Oct 20) afternoon at the age of 84.
The actor, who had been struggling with health issues for some time, breathed his last at Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu. His long-time manager, Babubhai Thiba, confirmed the news saying, “Asrani ji passed away at 3pm. He is survived by his wife, sister, and nephew.”
In keeping with his last wish, the family chose to say goodbye quietly. His wife, Manju Asrani, fulfilled his request to keep the news private and avoid any public commotion. His final rites were performed late Monday night at Santacruz Crematorium attended only by close friends and family. There were no cameras, no crowd.
In a bittersweet coincidence, hours before his passing, Asrani had shared a warm Diwali greeting on his Instagram story.
Over the years Asrani became a household name not just for his comic timing but also for his ability to bring heart and sincerity to every character. His journey began in the 1960s but the 1970s were truly his era.
From ‘Mere Apne’ and ‘Bawarchi’ to ‘Parichay’ and ‘Chhoti Si Baat’, Asrani added his signature charm to every role. His portrayal of the eccentric jailor in ‘Sholay’ with the unforgettable line “Hum Angrezon ke zamaane ke jailor hai” remains one of Indian cinema’s most iconic comic lines.
Beyond acting, Asrani was a storyteller at heart. In 1977, he wrote, directed, and starred in ‘Chala Murari Hero Banne’. It is a semi-autobiographical film that earned critical appreciation. He continued to explore direction with ‘Salaam Memsaab’ (1979) and was also deeply respected in Gujarati cinema.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tribute to actor Asrani. In a heartfelt post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Govardhan Asrani Ji. A gifted entertainer and a truly versatile artist, he entertained audiences across generations. He particularly added joy and laughter to countless lives through his unforgettable performances.”
The Prime Minister also extended his condolences to Asrani’s family and fans saying his contribution to Indian cinema will always be remembered.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed grief over the actor’s demise. In his message, he wrote, “The demise of renowned actor Asrani Ji is deeply saddening. Asrani Ji contributed to Indian cinema throughout his life and carved a place in the hearts of millions by making people laugh. May God give strength to his family and admirers to bear this profound loss. Om Shanti.”
According to his manager, Babu Bhai Thiba, the veteran actor passed away at around 3pm at Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu. “He is survived by his wife, sister, and nephew,” he confirmed.
The last rites were performed at the Santacruz Crematorium.
The news of Asrani’s passing has left the film fraternity and his fans heartbroken. Social media has been flooded with messages celebrating his memorable performances in classics like ‘Sholay’, ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar’, ‘Hera Pheri’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’.
Actor Akshay Kumar who worked with Asrani in several popular films shared a deeply emotional note.
“Speechless with grief at the passing of Asrani Ji. We had just shared the warmest of hugs a week back at the shoot of ‘Haiwaan’. Bahut pyare insaan the…he had the most legendary comic timing. From ‘Hera Pheri’ to ‘Bhagam Bhag’, ‘De Dana Dan’, ‘Welcome’ and our unreleased ‘Bhoot Bangla’ and ‘Haiwaan’… I had worked and learned so much from him. What an absolute loss to our industry. God bless you Asrani Sir, for giving us a million reasons to laugh. Om Shanti,” he wrote.
Tributes also poured in from across Bollywood, with stars like Kajol, Ayushmann Khurrana, Anupam Kher, Jackie Shroff, and Adnan Sami expressing their condolences and sharing fond memories of the veteran actor. - The Statesman/ANN
