Govardhan Asrani: Famous Hindi cinema comedian and character actor Govardhan Asrani passed away on Monday, October 20, after a prolonged illness. He was 84 years old. Asrani will always be remembered for his role as the jailer in “Sholay,” which left an indelible mark on audiences. His last rites were performed at the Santacruz crematorium in Mumbai, attended by family and many film personalities. In a career spanning over five decades, Asrani appeared in over 350 films. Asrani received acting training at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, honing his acting skills there, leading him to enter Hindi cinema in the mid-1960s.
He came to Mumbai with a dream of acting, but the struggle was long.
Recalling his early days, Asrani said that he came to Mumbai with a dream of acting, but the initial journey was not easy. He said that despite having an FTII degree, he did not get any work for two years. He continued trying to meet music composer Naushad at the time, hoping for a chance to appear in a film, but it didn’t happen. Disappointed, he returned to Jaipur, where his parents advised him to take over the shop. But Asrani didn’t give up and enrolled at FTII, where he became part of the institute’s first batch.
Indira Gandhi Changed His Fortune, Gained Recognition with ‘Guddi’
Asrani also revealed in an interview that the FTII certificate held no value in Bollywood. He said, “I used to wander around with a certificate, but people would say, ‘What’s the need for a certificate for acting? Big stars don’t train here, and you think you’re special? Get out of here.'” During this time, he earned a living by working as a professor at FTII.
During this struggle, Indira Gandhi, who was then the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, visited FTII in Pune. Asrani and his colleagues complained to her that no one in the film industry was giving them opportunities. Indira Gandhi then returned to Mumbai and instructed producers to provide work to FTII-trained actors. This led to Asrani’s opportunity to work with Jaya Bhaduri in the film “Guddi.” The film was a hit, and its success led to Bollywood’s recognition of the talent of FTII students.
Childless, Left Behind Family
Asrani’s personal life was filled with simplicity and love. He was very close to his wife Manju Asrani, his sister, and his nephew. The couple was childless, but his family and close friends remained an integral part of his life. Asrani also showcased his acting talent in films like “Chupke Chupke,” “Aandhi,” “Abhimaan,” “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” and “Hera Pheri.” His comic timing and dialogue delivery have forever immortalized him in Hindi cinema. With his passing, the world of cinema has lost an artist who both inspired and inspired.
