Remembering Asrani: From Sholay’s iconic jailer to a comedy Legend, a look at his journey

Asrani in a still from Sholay

Few actors in Indian cinema have enjoyed the kind of longevity and versatility that Govardhan Asrani, who was known as Asrani, has.

With a career spanning over five decades and more than 350 films, Asrani was one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved comedians, an artist who effortlessly moved in the worlds of humor, emotion, and character acting.

From Sholay’s unforgettable 'Angrezon ke zamaane ke jailer' to his countless comic turns across eras, Asrani’s name became synonymous with laughter that crossed across generations.

The actor passed away on Diwali (October 20) hours after wishing his fans on the auspicious day. Asrani's final rites were held at the Santacruz crematorium on Diwali.

It was a private affair, that was attended only by close family and friends.

“We did not inform anyone about his demise as it was his wish that we should keep it a private thing,” his manager Babubhai Thiba told Etimes.

Early life and entry into movies 

Asrani belonged to a middle-class Sindhi family and was born on January 1, 1941, in Jaipur. It was his passion for the performing arts that drew him to Mumbai in the early 1960s and he then enrolled himself in the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.

His batchmates were actors like Shatrughan Sinha and Navin Nischol. Asrani graduated in 1966 and he was armed with the kind of training and discipline that later defined his career.

In his early years in the industry, Asrani began with small roles in films such as 'Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan' (1967) and 'Aurat Pair Ki Jooti Nahin Hai' (1969).

It was his ability to bring perfect comic timing to even lesser relevant scenes that caught the attention of many directors of that time.

His first major breakthrough came with Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 'Guddi' (1971), where he portrayed the role of a struggling actor and it resonated deeply with the audiences.

From comic actor to a comedy legend

During the 1970s and 80s, Asrani established himself as one of Bollywood’s best comedians.

He was regularly a part of movies directed Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee, where the humour was rooted in everyday life.

He was seen in hit films like Chupke Chupke, Chhoti Si Baat, Abhimaan, and Bawarchi. These movies showcased his ability to bring nuance and realism to humour.

But the most iconic role for Asrani came in Ramesh Sippy’s cult classic Sholay (1975) starring Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. He played the eccentric jailer parodying Charlie Chaplin from The Great Dictator and is till date remembered for his wonderful portrayal.

His dialogues, “Haaaiii! Yeh kya hai re?”, “Hum Angrezon ke zamaane ke jailer hain,” 'aadhe idhar jao adhe udhar aon, baaki mere peeche' became legendary and they are often quoted in pop culture and by fans even decades later.

The role just immortalised Asrani as a comedian who could steal the show even in a film full of towering performances.

Presence with stalwarts

Asrani’s chemistry with actors like Kishore Kumar, Mehmood, and Rajesh Khanna also deserves special mention.

In Aap Ki Kasam (1974) and Amar Prem (1972), his presence added warmth and comic relief, while his later collaborations with Govinda and Kader Khan in the 1990s (Coolie No. 1, Haseena Maan Jaayegi, Hadh Kar Di Aapne) kept him relevant across generations.

But Asrani proved that we was an actor of immense depth with his occasionally serious or emotional roles. His roles in films such as Koshish (1972), Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar (1973), and Jeevan Mrityu (1970), he proved that his range extended far beyond humour.

He even tried his hands in direction and helmed films like 'Chala Murari Hero Banne' (1977), which was a semi-autobiographical comedy that showed his own struggles and dreams in the film industry.

Off-screen, Asrani was a respected teacher and mentor. He also served as the chairman of the Film Institute of India (FTII) from 1988 to 1993.

Legacy and what he meant to Indian Cinema

Asrani’s appeal lies in his ability to make humour human. He never needed over-the-top expressions or loud gimmicks to make people laugh. His characters were often the everyman.

He bridged the gap between generations, older viewers remember his roles alongside Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra, while younger audiences know him from Hera Pheri, Malamaal Weekly, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa.