Asrani

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title: "Asrani" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1941-births", "2025-deaths", "20th-century-indian-dramatists-and-playwrights", "20th-century-indian-male-actors", "20th-century-indian-male-singers", "21st-century-indian-male-actors", "21st-century-indian-male-singers", "hindi-language-playback-singers", "film-and-television-institute-of-india-alumni", "film-directors-from-rajasthan", "film-producers-from-rajasthan", "filmfare-awards-winners", "hindi-film-producers", "hindi-language-film-directors", "hindi-language-screenwriters", "hindi-language-indian-writers", "indian-male-comedians", "indian-sindhi-people", "indian-slapstick-comedians", "male-actors-from-jaipur", "male-actors-from-rajasthan", "male-actors-in-hindi-cinema", "musicians-from-jaipur", "screenwriters-from-rajasthan", "sindhi-hindus", "sindhi-male-actors", "singers-from-rajasthan", "deaths-from-respiratory-failure-in-india"] description: "Indian film actor and director (1941–2025)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asrani" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Indian film actor and director (1941–2025) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox person"]

Field	Value
name	Asrani
image	Asrani (cropped).jpg
caption	Asrani in 2012
birthname	Govardhan Asrani
birth_date
birth_place	Jaipur, Jaipur State, British India (present-day Rajasthan, India)
death_date
death_place	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
alma_mater	Rajasthan College;
FTII, Pune
occupation
years active	1967–2025
spouse	Manju Asrani
awards	*2 awards, 11 nominations
::

| name = Asrani | image = Asrani (cropped).jpg | caption = Asrani in 2012 | native_name = | native_name_lang = | birthname = Govardhan Asrani | birth_date = | birth_place = Jaipur, Jaipur State, British India (present-day Rajasthan, India) | death_date = | death_place = Mumbai, Maharashtra, India | education = | alma_mater = Rajasthan College; FTII, Pune | occupation = | years active = 1967–2025 | spouse = Manju Asrani | awards = *2 awards, 11 nominations

• Filmfare Award for Best Comedian

Govardhan Asrani (1 January 1941 – 20 October 2025), known professionally as Asrani, was an Indian actor and film director. His career in Indian cinema spanned over five decades, during which he appeared in over 350 Hindi and Gujarati films. Asrani worked in lead, character, comedic, and supporting roles. He is particularly noted for his role as the Jailor in Sholay, caricaturing Hitler, and Amadavad no Rikshavaro and for his appearances in 25 films with Rajesh Khanna as the lead actor between 1972 and 1991.

In Hindi cinema, he appeared in several comic roles from 1966 to 2014 and frequently portrayed the close friend of the lead actor in films between 1972 and 1995. He appeared in multiple films directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Priyadarshan. In some Hindi films, including Chala Murari Hero Banne and Salaam Memsaab, he played the lead role. In Gujarati films, he acted as the lead from 1972 to 1984 and performed character roles from 1985 to 2012. He directed six films between 1974 and 1997.

Early life

Asrani was born into a middle-class, Sindhi Hindu family in Jaipur. His father had a carpet shop. He has four sisters and three brothers: two elder and one younger. Asrani was disinterested in business and weak in mathematics. He completed his matriculation from St Xavier's School, Jaipur and did his graduation from Rajasthan College, Jaipur. He simultaneously worked as a voice artist at All India Radio, Jaipur, to pay for his education.

He married actress Manju Bansal, with whom he fell in love while working together in films like Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar and Namak Haram. After they wed, the couple acted in Tapasya, Chandi Sona, Jaan-E-Bahaar, Jurmana, Nalayak, Sarkari Mehmaan, Narad Vivah and Chor Sipahee. In Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar, Asrani played Champak Boomia / Amit Desai and Manju played Kesari Desai. For this role Asrani won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian. Later the couple acted in Hum Nahin Sudhrenge, a home production directed by Asrani in 1980.

Career

Asrani began to learn acting from Sahitya Kalbhai Thakkar from 1960 to 1962. In 1962, he travelled to Mumbai to seek opportunities to act. In 1963, on an accidental meeting with Kishore Sahu and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, they advised him to learn acting professionally.

In 1964 Asrani joined the Film Institute in Pune and finished his course in 1966. He got his first break in Hindi films playing the friend of actor Biswajeet in the film Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan in 1967. In the film institute he had impressed many and made his acting break as a hero in 1967 with a Gujarati movie opposite budding actress Waheeda (not Waheeda Rahman; the Hindi actress). He acted in four other movies, mainly as actor or supporting actor, in Gujarati from 1967 to 1969. He did not get many offers from the Hindi film industry between 1967 and 1969. His old advisor, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, then gave him the role of supporting actor in the film Satyakam in 1969. He got noticed then in the film Mere Apne. From 1971, he started getting more offers as the main comedian in films or as the close friend of the lead actor.

Directors like Mukherjee, Atma Ram, and Gulzar repeatedly cast him in the period 1971–1974, and his work got noticed through these films. These roles set the tone for a number of supporting and comic roles in his career. In the 1970s his demand was at its peak as he appeared in 101 films from 1970 to 1979. Though initially Rajesh Khanna and Asrani had met only on the sets of Bawarchi, they became close friends after Namak Haraam, after which for comic roles Khanna insisted the producers and directors make Asrani a part of his films. Asrani worked in 25 films with Khanna from 1972 to 1991, from Bawarchi (1972) to Ghar Parivaar (1991).

His most memorable works as supporting actor from 1970 to 1979 are in Mere Apne, Koshish, Bawarchi, Parichay, Abhimaan, Mehbooba, Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein, Do Ladke Dono Kadke and Bandish. He played the lead hero in Chala Murari Hero Banne, a Hindi film he wrote and directed in 1977.

His notable roles as a comedian from the 1970s are in Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar, Roti, Prem Nagar, Chupke Chupke, Chhoti Si Baat, Rafoo Chakkar, Sholay, Balika Badhu, Fakira, Anurodh, Chhailla Babu, Charas, Phaansi, Dillagi, Heeralal Pannalal, Pati Patni Aur Woh and Hamare Tumhare.

Though he had played the supporting character in many films, he played a serious role for the first time in Khoon Pasina. He did off beat roles like that of the evil brother's role in Koshish (1972), the double role of a hippie and villager in L. V. Prasad's Bidaai (1974), a beedi and ganji sporting wastrel in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Chaitali (1975), a romantic in B. R. Chopra's Nikaah (1982) who sang a qawwali like yesteryear actor Yakub and played a pimp in K. S. Prakash Rao's Prem Nagar (1974).Later he played antagonist roles in Ab Kya Hoga and Teri Meherbaniyan.

He was a very popular public figure in the 1970s and was one of Rajesh Khanna's close friends. He became a regular feature in films produced by D. Ramanaidu and those movies directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, B. R. Chopra, K. Bapaiah, Narayana Rao Dasari, K. Raghavendra Rao, Basu Chatterjee in 1972 to 1992.

He won the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for his performances in Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar in 1974 and for Balika Badhu in 1977.

In 1974, Asrani directed his first movie in Gujarati with himself as the hero, and the song "Hu Amdavad No Rikshawalo" sung by Kishore Kumar was picturised on Asrani. Songs picturised on Asrani and sung by Kishore in Hindi are "Achcha Chaloji Baba Maaf Kardo" from Hamare Tumhare, "Pyar Main Karoonga" from Yeh Kaisa Insaaf. "Mannu Bhai Motor Chali Pam" was sung by him with Kishore Kumar and was picturised on Rishi Kapoor and him, in Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan in 1978.

In the 1980s, he acted in 107 Hindi films. Asrani holds the record for appearing as a character actor/comedian in the most Hindi films in a decade – 101 in the 1970s and 107 in the 1980s. Unlike his roles in 1970 to 1984 which were pivotal to the plot, most of his roles from 1985 to 1993 were very minor mainly because the concept of a comedian was being phased out and heroes preferred to do their own comedy and action films were more popular in the period from 1985 to 1994. In the 1980s his memorable performances were in Hamari Bahu Alka, Ek Hi Bhool, Yeh Kaisa Insaf, Kaamchor, Agar Tum Na Hote, Asha Jyoti, Maqsad, Main Intequam Loonga, Love 86 and Biwi Ho To Aisi.

In the films produced by South Indian production houses films and those directed by T. Rama Rao, K. Raghavendra Rao, K. Bapaiah, Narayana Rao Dasari, the trio of Asrani-Kader Khan-Shakti Kapoor were regular from 1982 to 1998 and boosted the popularity of the trio.

In 1982, Asrani set up a small Gujarati production company with fellow artistes Dinesh Hingoo, Harish Patel and Salim Parvez (son of famous supporting actor Yunus Parvez). The company dissolved in 1996 with a large profit. Asrani also invested in clothing and acted as investor for other actors, until 1991 when he lost a lot of money. From 1988 to 1993, he was a director for the Film Institute in Pune. In the 1990s he did only 73 Hindi movies due to lack of good scope for him to perform. Muqabla (1993) saw him in a serious role after a long time.

Simultaneously he kept working in Gujarati films in the 1970s and 1980s as a lead hero and achieved success as the lead protagonist in Amdavad No Rikshawalo, Saat Qaidi, Sansar Chakra, Pankhi No Malo, Jugal Jodi, Maa Baap, Chel Chabilo Gujarati. From the 1990s he played as a comedian or supporting actor in Gujarati films like Mota Ghar Ni Vahu, Piyu Gayo Pardesh, and Baap Dhamal Dikhra.

D. Ramanaidu gave a pivotal role to Asrani in Taqdeerwala in 1995 and once again comedy movies were being made from there on. Asrani started getting good roles in films directed by David Dhawan and Priyadarshan from 1993 until 2012. His most memorable performances as a comedian from the 1990s are in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Gardish, Taqdeerwala, Gharwali Baharwali, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Hero Hindustani. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Asrani_at_the_launch_of_'Its_Only_Cinema'_magazine_11.jpg" caption="Asrani at the launch of ''It's Only Cinema'' magazine"] ::

The 2000s saw Asrani in a number of films like Hera Pheri, Chup Chup Ke, Hulchul, Deewane Huye Paagal, Garam Masala, Dhamaal, Malamaal Weekly, Bhagam Bhag, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, De Dana Dan, Bol Bachchan and Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal. He appeared in a serious role in Kyun Ki. He was an integral part of comedies by Sajid Nadiadwala and Priyadarshan post-2000.

Asrani in 2018 played the role of Mikesh's grandfather in the popular web series Permanent Roommates. He also played the role of Director General of Police (DGP) in the serial Partners Trouble Ho Gayi Double.

Asrani acted as Narada in the 1985 Doordarshan TV serial Natkhat Narad. Some of his co-stars were Jayshree T. and Vikram Gokhale.

His obituary in The Hindu stated: "Versatility was his middle name as he transcended the typical sidekick stereotype to become perfect foil for the lead character, blending slapstick with subtle satire and dramatic depth. Be it Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan or Jeetendra, Asrani played a definitive role in the myth making of several matinee idols of the 1970s and 1980s."

Death

Asrani was admitted to Bharatiya Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu, Mumbai, on 16 October 2025, with breathing issues. He died there at 3:00 PM on 20 October, due to fluid accumulation in his lungs. He was 84. His last rites were performed at Santacruz Crematorium with family members in attendance.

Selected filmography

As actor

::data[format=table]

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2026			Posthumous release
Ikkis	Mr Asghar
2025	Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2	Father Anthony
2023	Dream Girl 2	Yusuf Ali Salim Khan	Final film release during lifetime
Non Stop Dhamaal	Jassu Bhai
2022	Bloody Brothers	Samuel Alvarez	Web Series
2021	Bunty Aur Babli 2	Tehre Singh
Baap No Bagicho		Gujarati film
2020	It's My Life	Father of Abhishek's friend
2018	Yamla Pagla Deewana: Phir Se	Nanu
2016	Permanent Roommates	Mikesh's grandfather	Web Series
Mastizaade	Laila & Lily's father
Murari the Mad Gentleman	Mukhia
2015	Sallu ki Shaadi
Dillagi... Yeh Dillagi
Ishq Ka Manjan	Santa
2014	18.11 - A Code of Secrecy	Habilder-Paholwan
2013	R.. Rajkumar	Pandit		last1=Bose
Himmatwala	Ticket Checker
2012	Joker	Master ji
Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal	Priest
Bol Bachchan	Shashtri
Agent Vinod	Ramlal
2011	Bodyguard	Shekhar
2010	Khatta Meetha	Karodimal
Dus Tola	Sarpanch
2009	Paying Guests	Kiska Miglani
De Dana Dan	Mamu Lee Chan
All The Best	Vidya's father
2008	Kurukshetra		Malayalam film; cameo appearance
Karzzz	Mr. Joe D'Souza, Principal of Verma Catering College
Jumbo	Senapati (Voice)	Animated Film
Billu	Naubat Chacha
Yaariyan		Punjabi film
2007	Welcome	Producer Akhilendra Chandel
Bhool Bhulaiyaa	Murari
Dhamaal	Nari Contractor
Dhol	Pankaj's brother-in-law
Fool & Final	Lalwani
2006	Bhagam Bhag	Event Manager
Malamaal Weekly	Chokhey
Chup Chup Ke	Sharma Ji
2005	Deewane Huye Paagal	Blind Man
Garam Masala	Mamu
Cages	Leo	English film
Elaan	Kishorilal
Insaan	Film Director
Kyon Ki	Asylum patient
2004	Ek Se Badhkar Ek	Don Srikant Ramprasad
Suno Sasurjee	Murli
Ball & Chain	Papa
Hulchul	Advocate Mishra
2003	Mumbai Matinee	Pyarelal
Baghban	Bedi Sab (Sardar)
Tujhe Meri Kasam	Kashinath Dixit
2002	Dil Vil Pyar Vyar	Chandru
Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare	Topichand's brother-in-law
Awara Paagal Deewana	Champaklal
Ek Aur Visphot	Dr. Daniel
2001	Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa	Jhoomri's Boss
Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar	Chandiramani
Lajja	Gulab Chand
2000	Aaghaaz	Gullu
Karobaar	Champak
Chal Mere Bhai	Family Doctor
Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa	Company owner
Hera Pheri	Bank Manager
Mela	Kaka/Banwari Baniya
1999	Raja Kumarudu	Policeman
Haseena Maan Jaayegi	Jamnadas
International Khiladi	Payal's Boss
Heeralal Pannalal	Havaldar Chaurasia
Mother	Johnny
1998	Mehndi	Tolani
Hero Hindustani	Cameroon
Haste Hasate
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan	Security Officer
Dulhe Raja	Inspector Azgar Singh
Gharwali Baharwali	Dr. Ved
1995	Taqdeerwala	Chitragupt
Anokha Andaaz	Nazakat Ali
1993	Muqabla	Soni's husband
Dil Tera Aashiq	Natwar Lal
1992	Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar	Dubeyji, Teacher
Police Officer	Police Inspector Sharma
Laat Saab
1990	Aaj Ka Arjun	Chikoo
Amadavad no Rikshavaro		Gujarati Film includes being Director
Muqaddar Ka Badshaah	Dhamdilal
1985	Teri Meherbaniyan	Munim Banwarilal
1984	Yeh Ishq Nahin Aasaan	Jamal
Sardaar	Motiheera Lalwani
1983	Himmatwala	Bhushan
1982	Nikaah	Saif
Sitam
1981	Aapas Ki Baat	Bhola
Aas Paas	Jaikishen
Ek Duuje Ke Liye	G. Haribabu
Ek Hi Bhool	Manohar Prasad M.P.
Kahani Ek Chor Ki	Kantilal
Meri Aawaz Suno	Bahadur
Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai	Drunkard (Guest Appearance)
1980	Agreement	Dilip Kanuchand
The Burning Train	Col. P.K. Bhandari
Hum Nahin Sudhrenge
1979	Ahinsa
Baton Baton Mein	Francis Fernandes
Dhongee	Michael York
Do Hawaldar	Bholaram
Do Ladke Dono Kadke	Ramu
Hamare Tumhare	Gauri Shankar
Jaan-e-Bahaar
Jurmana	Nandlal Chaturvedi
Love in Canada	Bansi
Naalayak	Lallu Kumar Lalla
Salaam Memsaab	Sunder	Director
Sargam	Gopi
1978	Pati Patni Aur Woh	Abdul Karim Durrani
Badalte Rishtey	Anup Chandra Thakur
1977	Alaap	Ganesh (Ganeshi)
Chala Murari Hero Banne	Murari	Director
Kalabaaz	Changu
1976	Tapasya	Vinod Sinha
Balika Badhu	Sharat
1975	Mili	Drunkard (Guest Appearance)
Chhoti Si Baat	Nagesh
Rafoo Chakkar	Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi
Sholay	Jailor
Chupke Chupke	Prashant Shrivastav
1974	Bidaai	Murli/Bhaskar
Ajnabee	Chetan Kumar
Aap Ki Kasam	Dr. Ghad-Ghad Singhwala
1973	Namak Haraam	Dhondu, Shyama's brother
Abhimaan	Chander Kripalani
Anamika	Hanuman Singh
1972	Parichay	Narayan
Bawarchi	Vishwanath Sharma/Babbu
Seeta Aur Geeta	Laughing Doctor
Koshish	Kanu
Piya Ka Ghar
1971	Mere Apne	Raghunath
Guddi	Kundan
1969	Satyakam	Peter
Umang
1967	Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan	Tripathi
1966	Hum Kahan Ja Rahe hain	College student	Debut film role
::

As director

::data[format=table]

Year	Title	Language	Notes
1990	Amadavad no Rikshavaro	Gujarati
1977	Chala Murari Hero Banne	Hindi
1979	Salaam Memsaab
1980	Hum Nahin Sudhrenge
1992	Dil Hi To Hai
1997	Udaan
::

Songs

::data[format=table]

Year	Film	Song	Notes
1977	Alaap	"Binati Sun Le Tanik"
"Ho Rama Dar Lage Apni Umariya Se"
1978	Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan	"Mannu Bhai Motor Chali Pum Pum"	with Kishore Kumar
::

Awards and nominations

::data[format=table]

Filmfare Awards	Year	Film	Category	Result	Notes
1974	Abhimaan	Best Supporting Actor
Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar	Best Performance in a Comic Role
Namak Haraam
1975	Chor Machaye Shor
Bidaai
1976	Rafoo Chakkar
Sholay
1977	Chhoti Si Baat
Balika Badhu
1979	Pati Patni Aur Woh
1980	Sargam
1981	Hum Nahin Sudherenge	Hum Nahi Sudherenge
1982	Ek Duuje Ke Liye
::

References

References

1. (20 October 2025). "Actor-director Asrani passes away at 84; family issues statement: 'The one who brought smiles to everyone's faces is no more'".
2. [http://www.gomolo.com/awards-won-by-asrani/2666 List of awards won by Asrani]. {{Webarchive. link. (12 September 2018. ''Gomolo.com''.)
3. [http://www.gomolo.com/celeb/asrani-and-manju-bansal-movies-list/2666/27144 List of Asrani & Manju Bansal movies together]. {{Webarchive. link. (26 September 2013. ''Gomolo.com''.)
4. "Asrani".
5. (21 October 2025). "Asrani: Tributes pour in for veteran Indian actor".
6. (20 October 2025). "Comedy legend Asrani passes away at 84: Remembering the man who made generations laugh". The Times of India.
7. (4 December 2022). "Asrani looks back at how he copied Hitler while playing jailer in 'Sholay'". [[The Times of India]].
8. (21 October 2025). "Asrani, the Everyman whose presence lit up every film".
9. (21 October 2025). "Asrani: A Life in Laughter".
10. (24 August 2025). "'Haiwaan': Asrani confirms joining Priyadarshan's film starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan". [[The Times of India]].
11. (31 October 2017). "Johnny Lever to return to small screen after ten years with upcoming comedy show Partners". [[Firstpost]].
12. Kumar, Anuj. (21 October 2025). "Hindi cinema loses its impish glee as Asrani passes away". [[The Hindu]].
13. (20 October 2025). "Veteran actor Asrani passes away at 84 after brief illness". [[The Hindu]].
14. Sarkar, Shankhyaneel. (20 October 2025). "Veteran Bollywood Actor, Comedian Asrani Passes Away At 84". [[News 18]].
15. (20 October 2025). "Veteran actor Asrani dies at 84, nephew Ashok confirms". [[India Today]].
16. (20 October 2025). "जवळच्या लोकांच्या उपस्थितीत असरानी यांच्यावर अंत्यसंस्कार, कुटुंबाने पूर्ण केली अभिनेत्याची 'ही' इच्छा". [[Lokmat]].
17. (21 October 2025). "Akshay Kumar reveals he shot with Asrani for Haiwaan just a week before his death: 'Shared the warmest hug'". [[Hindustan Times]].
18. "'Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2' Cast Line-Up: Kapil Sharma Returns To Lead The Sequel With Some Unexpected Additions". Bombay Times.
19. (24 April 2023). "Ayushmann Khurrana, Ananya Panday starrer 'Dream Girl 2' gets new release date". [[The New Indian Express]].
20. "CBFC ".
21. "Baap No Bagicho (2022) - Movie {{!}} Reviews, Cast & Release Date in Mumbai".
22. "Asrani gave personal touch to 'Murari- the Mad Gentleman' script: Director - Times of India".
23. (20 October 2025). "Veteran actor Asrani passes away in Mumbai". [[Deccan Herald]].
24. (29 March 2013). "Review: Himmatwala is strictly for one-time laughs". [[Rediff.com]].
25. "Anokha Andaaz".
26. "Sardaar".

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