Mumbai, Ocgt 21, 2025: Govderdhan Asrani, a veteran Bollywood actor of over 300 films spanning 50 years, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Oct 20 at Mumbai. He was aged 84. As per Asrani's office, the actor was admmitted to hospital following a brief illness late last week. He complained of breathlessness and doctors diagnosed water accumulation in his lungs, for which he was being treated.

Born in Jaipur on New Year's day i.e. January 1, 1941, Asrani has been a veteran of 3560 films, where he played memorable characters. Known for his impeccable comic timing, Asrani is most remembered for his iconic portrayl of Jailer ('Hum Angrezon ke Zamane ke Jailer hain...') in the movie Sholay, which invokes laughter even today. His character was modelled by writers Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar after Charlie Chaplin in the 'Great Dictator'.

His other memorable performances include 'Guddi', 'Mere Apne' among others. His performance of the Reginald to Amol Palekar's Archie in the movie 'Chhoti Si Baat' set the trend for many similar characters in future films. Asrani has worked with the best directors and actors in Bollywood, including Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna and Aamir Khan. Though trained in the FTII, his calling was more of character roles, as a comedian or the main protagonists ally. All his performances invoked a sense of calm and joy.

His role in 'Aaj ki Taza Khabar' was one after which he got noticed, though his first film was the 1967 Hare Kaanch ki Chhudiyan. His mentor Hrishikesh Mukherjee always gave him roles in his films and Asrani has been a key character in many of Gulzar's films, viz. Parichay, Mere Apne, Koshish, etc. In the 2000s he was a part of Priyadarshan's movies namely Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal, Hulchul, Bhool Bhulaiya, Chup Chup Ke and Hera Pheri. 

Apart from his legacy which will never fade away, Asrani leaves behind his wife Manju Asrani and son Naveen Asrani.