The quintessential comedian of Indian cinema Asrani, an actor of immense talent whose Hindi film career has spanned five decades, is also a director and, before that, an acting teacher. Asrani has played the lead, comedic, and supporting roles in over 450 Hindi and Gujarati films.
Early Life and Education
Asrani was born Govardhan Asrani on January 1, 1940, into a middle-class Sindhi family in Jaipur. His father opened a carpet shop, but Asrani was uninterested in the business. He completed his matriculation from St. Xavier’s School and graduated from Rajasthan College, Jaipur. To support his education, he worked as a voice artist at All India Radio, Jaipur.
He learnt acting from Sahitya Kalbhai Thakkar from 1960 to 1962. On the advice from Kishore Sahu and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, he joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, in 1964, graduating in 1966.
Acting Debut
Asrani made his acting debut with “Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan (1967),” where he played the friend of actor Biswajeet. In that period, he did a number of Gujarati films as a lead. His old advisor, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, then gave him the role of supporting actor in the film Satyakam in 1969. He was working at FTII as a faculty member when Mukherjee again gave him a role in Guddi (1970), which gave him immense visibility.
In 1971, he acted in the Gulzar-directed “Mere Apne,” where he worked with Meena Kumari and his FTII friend Shatrughan Sinha. Gulzar cast him in a negative role in “Koshish,” a memorable role that was the exact opposite of his image.
He continued to be a constant fixture of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s films like “Bawarchi,” “Namak Haram,” “Abhimaan,” “Mili,” “Chaitali,” “Alaap,” and “Jurmana.” In 1975 he acted in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s iconic comedy “Chupke Chupke (1975)” with his Sholay co-stars Dharmendra and Amitabh.
Asrani As The Go Tto Comedian
In 1975, Asrani played the iconic role of the jailer, known for his humorous portrayal of a British-era jailer. His dialogue “Hum Angrezon ke zamane ke jailer hain” became legendary. He again teamed up with Amitabh in “Khoon Pasina.”
Although Asrani is always remembered for his role in Sholay as a jailer. But his best work came in the films of Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Gulzar, B.R. Chopra, and Basu Chatterjee. He was a close friend of Rajesh Khanna and did around 25 films with him, starting with Bawarchi (1972).
Throughout the 1970s, Asrani went on to do some of his best work in films like “Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar,” “Parichay,” “Mehbooba,” “Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein,” “Balika Badhu,” “Do Ladke Dono Kadke,” “Bandish,” “Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar,” “Roti,” “Prem Nagar,” “Chhoti Si Baat,” “Rafoo Chakkar,” “Balika Badhu,” “Fakira,” “Anurodh,” “Chhailla Babu,” “Charas,” “Phaansi,” “Dillagi,” “Heeralal Pannalal,” “Pati Patni Aur Woh,” “Hamare Tumhare,” and many more.
Asrani The Filmmaker
In 1977, he wrote and directed the critically acclaimed “Chala Murari Hero Banne,” where he also played the lead. He also directed “Salaam Memsaab (1979),” “Hum Nahin Sudhrenge (1980),” and “Dil hi To Hai (1992).” He also directed the iconic Gujarati film “Amdavad No Rikshawalo” (1990). His last film as a director was Rekha, the Saif Ali Khan starrer Udan (1997).
Continuing Success
In the 1980s and 90s, he made a formidable team with fellow actors like Kader Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Jeetendra, and Govinda. He acted with Kader Khan in over 50 films. Some of his memorable performances came in films like “Hamari Bahu Alka,” “Ek Hi Bhool,” “Yeh Kaisa Insaf,” “Kaamchor,” “Agar Tum Na Hote,” “Asha Jyoti,” “Maqsad,” “Main Intequam Loonga,” “Love 86,” “Biwi Ho To Aisi,” “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar,” “Gardish,” “Taqdeerwala,” “Gharwali Baharwali,” “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan,” “Hero Hindustani, and many more.
After the 2000s, Asrani continued to do memorable roles, especially in Priyadarshan’s comedy movies. He has done a number of iconic films like “Hera Pheri,” “Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa,” Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar,” “Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare,” “Baghban,” “Awara Paagal Deewana,” “Chup Chup Ke,” “Hulchul,” “Deewane Huye Paagal,” “Garam Masala,” “Malamaal Weekly,” “Billu,” “Welcome,” “Dhamaal,” “Dhol,” “Bhagam Bhag,” “De Dana Dan,” “Bol Bachchan,” and “many more. Asrani is still active in films and was a part of the 2023 comedy Dream Girl 2.
Personal Life
Asrani is married to actress Manju Bansal, whom he met while working together in films like “Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar” and “Namak Haram.” The couple has a son named Naveen Asrani, who is a dentist in Ahmedabad.
Asrani is a celebrated Indian actor and director whose career in Hindi films has spanned over five decades. His journey from a small town in Rajasthan to becoming one of the most beloved comedians in Indian cinema is a testament to his talent, dedication, and resilience.
Asrani on IMDB
