Veteran actor Govardhan Asrani, fondly remembered as one of Hindi cinema’s finest comedians, passed away on October 20, 2025, at the age of 84, after a prolonged illness. He breathed his last at Juhu Aarogya Nidhi Hospital in Mumbai, on the festival of Diwali. He left behind a void that no one can fill.
According to reports, Asrani amassed a et worth of Rs 40–45 crore, built through decades of work in films, TV serials, and brand endorsements.
Hailing from Jaipur, Rajasthan, Asrani was born in a Sindhi family. His artistic spark was evident early on when he began his career as a voice artist on All India Radio, where his expressive tone and engaging delivery made him a local favourite. Encouraged by legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak, Asrani moved to Mumbai to chase his cinematic dreams.
He later joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune and graduated in 1966, marking the start of a career that would span over five decades and more than 350 films.
Asrani’s breakthrough came in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Guddi (1971), and he became an instant favourite. The film’s success opened doors to a wave of memorable performances in classics like Abhimaan, Bawarchi, Chupke Chupke, Golmaal, and Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar. However, it was his role as the quirky jailer in Sholay (1975) that became legendary.
From films to television shows and stage plays, Asrani continued to entertain into his later years. His wife, Manju Asrani, a fellow actor, stood by him through every high and low of his career.
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Reflecting on the film’s legacy earlier this year, Asrani told the BBC, “As Sholay completes 50 years, I can tell you—there has not been a single function or event where I haven’t been asked to recite those dialogues. It’s all because of Sippy saab’s direction and the writing of Salim-Javed… Even after 50 years, people still remember that role and those lines by heart.”
Asrani also ventured into direction with films like Chala Murari Hero Banne (1977), which he also wrote and starred in, and Salaam Memsaab (1979). He found success in Gujarati cinema as well. In later years, Asrani appeared in several modern comedies, including the Dhamaal franchise, where his effortless humour continued to shine.
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