Actor-director Govardhan Asrani, popularly known as Asrani, passed away in Mumbai on Monday after a prolonged illness. He was 84.
Asrani was born in Jaipur on January 1, 1941. After completing his education there, he began his career at All India Radio as a voice artist. After learning acting under Sahitya Kalabhai Thakkar, he moved to Mumbai in 1962. A chance meeting with filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee led him to join the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, from where he graduated in 1966. Lack of opportunities and few blink-and-miss roles in films like Hum Kahan Ja Rahe Hain, Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan, Umang and Satyakam forced Asrani to start teaching at FTII while struggling in Mumbai. Interestingly, it was one of his fourth year students, who opened up opportunities for him.
Legendary filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who was a guest faculty for editing at FTII, once reached out to Asrani on Gulzar’s recommendation. Gulzar was looking to cast Jaya Bachchan (then, Bhaduri) for his film Guddi (1971). Asrani took Hrishikesh Mukherjee to Jaya who had done noteworthy work in a student film. Along with Jaya, Asrani also auditioned for the movie. He ended up playing an aspiring actor in Guddi.
Guddi became a sleeper hit and both the teacher Asrani and his student Jaya Bhaduri shot to limelight.
Asrani went on to give remarkable performances in Bawarchi (1972), Namak Haraam (1973), Chupke Chupke (1975), and Abhimaan. His most memorable character remains the jailor from blockbuster Sholay (1975). Asrani also also helmed six films. He was last seen in the 2003 film Non Stop Dhamaal.
Asrani is survived by his wife, actress Manju Asrani.
His last rites were performed at Santacruz Crematorium on Monday evening.
