Veteran Bollywood actor Govardhan Asrani, fondly known as Asrani, passed away on Monday at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness. He had been hospitalized for five days due to age-related ailments.
Born on January 1, 1940, in Jaipur, Asrani grew up in a middle-class Sindhi family. His father ran a carpet shop, but he pursued a different path, showing early interest in performing arts. He completed his education at St. Xavier’s School and Rajasthan College, Jaipur, and worked as a voice artist at All India Radio to support his studies.
From 1960 to 1962, Asrani trained under Sahitya Kalbhai Thakkar before joining the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, in 1964. He made his Bollywood debut in 1967 with Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan, playing the friend of actor Biswajeet, and also appeared in several Gujarati films as a lead actor.
Asrani became one of India’s most beloved character actors, known for his impeccable comic timing and expressive performances.
His portrayal of the eccentric jailer in the classic film Sholay remains one of the most iconic roles in Indian cinema.
He also worked with acclaimed directors such as Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Gulzar, and B.R. Chopra, earning admiration for his versatility and longevity in the film industry.
