BBC:
Tributes are pouring in for Indian actor Govardhan Asrani, who died this week at the age of 84.
Asrani, popularly known by his last name, was suffering from a brief illness and died at a hospital in Mumbai city on Monday, his manager told BBC Hindi.
Over a career spanning more than 50 years, Asrani acted in more than 300 films, mostly in comic roles. One of his most memorable performances was in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, in which he played an eccentric jailer.
“The one who brought smiles to everyone’s faces, Asrani ji is no longer among us. His passing is an irreparable loss for both Hindi cinema and our hearts,” his family said in a statement posted on the actor’s social media account.
His final rites were performed on Monday with family members and close friends in attendance.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Asrani a “gifted entertainer” and “versatile artist”.
“He particularly added joy and laughter to countless lives through his unforgettable performances. His contribution to Indian cinema will always be cherished,” Modi wrote on X.
Asrani was born in 1941 in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. He began his career as a voice artist at the state-run All India Radio before studying acting at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in the 1960s.
He made his Hindi film debut in 1967, but it was his portrayal of a bumbling jailer – meant to be a parody of Adolf Hitler – in 1975’s Sholay that brought him widespread fame.
In an interview with BBC Hindi earlier this year, Asrani recalled how he prepared for the role.
The film’s writer duo Salim-Javed and director Ramesh Sippy told him that the jailer “thinks he is very smart but isn’t”, he said.
Asrani was a familiar face on TV shows aired on state broadcaster Doordarshan in the 1980s and 90s. He played the role of the Hindu sage Narad Muni in Natkhat Narad, a popular show in the 80s. He also directed several Hindi and Gujarati films.
The actor became synonymous with comic roles in mainstream films, ranging from subtle situational humour to exaggerated performances. But he believed he was more than just a comedian.
