Govardhan Kumar Asrani was a versatile actor in every sense of the word. In an industry where actors don’t mind being typecast, he experimented with various kinds of roles. His career spanned five decades. And if you think of him just as a comedian you are quite far from the truth.
Asrani worked in Hindi and Gujarati films. And though acting remained his main forte, he also donned the hats of a TV presenter, director, and producer.
To understand the finesse of his craft, let us look at his life and times closely.
Asrani was born in 1941 in Rajasthan. He pursued an acting course at Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, from 1964 to 1966. His peers loved his performances in the student films. In Search of God (1965) is one such student film in which he performed during his student era.
Upon graduating in 1966, he was unable to find work in Hindi films. His peers at the institute handed him his first break as a lead in a 1967 Gujarati film. Shortly after, in the same year, he landed his first role in a Hindi film called Hare Kaanch Ki Chooriya. Thereafter, he could not find much work.
So, he returned to FTII and started teaching acting there. While he was teaching, he got the opportunity to work in four more Gujarati films as a lead actor.
Later, he met Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who offered him a role in his film, Satyakam (1969).
He was then cast as Kundan in Guddi (1971). He played the role of a young man who had left everything to chase his Bollywood dreams. However, he gets conned by a man named Kader Bhai. Kundan eventually realises getting into Bollywood is not a cakewalk. His story serves as a contrast and a subplot to the main story, where Guddi is totally in love with a film star. She thinks his larger-than-life image is real. Kundan’s story is more grounded in reality and a stark contrast to her imagination.
However, it was later in 1971 that he got truly noticed for playing the role of Raghunath in Mere Apne (1971). He appeared in the film along with established stars Vinod Khanna, Meena Kumari, and Shatrughan Sinha.
As Vishwanath Sharma in Bawarchi (1972), he is the lively, self-absorbed artist in the chaotic household who has no qualms about copying English songs for Hindi films. In a household that thrives on daily chaos and commotion, he is the light-hearted distraction that we needed.
Thereafter, he was often cast as the hero’s friend or a comedian.
Some of his funniest roles in the 1970s include that of Champak Boomia in Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar (1973) and that of a professor in Chupke-Chupke (1975). But the one that truly stood out was that of the Jailer in Sholay (1975). It is the one role that remains fresh in our memory even today, every time Asrani is mentioned. As “the Jailer”, he is the Hitler you should fear. But you don’t, because it is actually a Chaplin in Hitler’s avatar. And we enjoy those moments just as much as Jai and Veeru.
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In Choti Si Baat (1976), as Nagesh Shastri, he weighs heavily on the hero, Arun. In fact, naive Arun’s journey takes a drastic turn as Nagesh Shastri, a cunning fox, won’t let him win easily. He is the challenge that Arun must overcome to win Prabha over.
His roles were short but integral to the overall story.
He also appeared as the main hero in Chala Murari Hero Banne (1977) and Salam Memsaab (1979). Whereas played negative roles in Koshish (1972) and Prem Nagar (1974). Though, it was in Ab Kya Hoga (1977) that he evolved into a full-fledged antagonist role.
He also acted as a lead in Gujarati films Maa Baap (1977) and Sansaar Chakra (1978).
Asrani was regularly featured in films by prominent directors like Gulzar, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Basu Chatterjee, and Atma Ram.
In this decade, he appeared in a record number of 101 Hindi films. And, it established him as a nuanced actor who could fit the multitudes of characters that ranged anywhere from positive to negative. It also set the pace for some of the best roles that came his way in the early 1980s.
The early 80s was just as promising for his career. He acted in 107 Hindi films in the 1980s. His most notable works of this decade include Hamari Bahu Alka, Ek Hi Bhool, Kaamchor, Yeh Kaisa Insaf, Agar Tum Na Hota, Asha Jyoti, Love 86 and Biwi Ho to Aisi.
However, around the mid-1980s, a new trend emerged. The comedians were no longer central to the plot of the film. The heroes themselves played comic roles within an action or a romantic film.
This impacted the kind of roles that Asrani played. Unlike his roles from 1970 to 1984, which were pivotal to the plot, most of his roles from 1985 to 1993 were very minor. They were not central to the plot. Action films were dominating the screens and comedy films, and comic roles were not being made just as much.
He started exploring ways to pivot his career.
It was during this time that he started exploring television. He played the role of Narad Muni in Natkhat Narad (1985-1986), a popular television show. Asrani also appeared frequently on television as a presenter on Doordarshan in the late 80s and continued to do so thereafter.
During this low phase for comedy films, he served as a director at FTII from 1988 to 1993. The institute remained a place he returned to often; first as a student, then as a teacher, and later as a director.
In the 90s, comedy films and comic roles once again occupied the centre stage. Asrani was seen in Muqabla (1993) in a serious role for the very first time. He played the role of Khairatlal, who was murdered in broad daylight. The role is central to the plot as his wife Soni decides to avenge his death when the system fails her.
Taqdeerwala (1995) was yet another film where his role was pivotal. He played the role of Chitragupta, assistant to Yamraj (Kader Khan).
Thereafter, Asrani was featured regularly in comedy films by David Dhawan, Priyadarshan and other contemporary directors.
Some of his other notable performances of the 90s include Jo Jeeta Woh Sikander, Bade Miyan Chote Miya, Gharwali Baharwali, and Hero Hindustani.
In the 2000s, he was part of comedy films like Garam Masala, Hera Pheri, Hulchul, Bhagam Bhaag, and Bhool Bhulaiya. These films introduced him to a newer generation that may not have grown up with Sholay or Choti Si Baat, but still recognised him as the familiar comic presence who could light up even a small scene.
He was seen in a couple of web series as well. He played Mikesh’s grandfather in Permanent Roommates and as the Director General of Police (DGP) in Partners Trouble Ho Gayi Double.
Throughout his career, along with acting he directed films as well. He directed Chala Murari Hero Banne (1977), Salam Memsaab (1979), Hum Nahin Sudhrenge(1980), Dil Hi Toh Hai (1992), Udaan (1997), Amdavad No Rikshawalo (1990) and Saat Qaidi (1986).
Most recently, we saw Asrani in Bhoot Bangla.
With Akshay Kumar in the lead role, the comedy-horror naturally created expectations of a Bhool Bhulaiya style entertainer. However, Asrani’s character was the one that helped set the stage for a bigger plot to unfold.
While others doubted the presence of paranormal activity, he continued working inside the deserted bungalow, secretly selling precious items from the haunted house without any guilt.
Bhoot Bangla happens to be one of his last films. He passed away last October at the age of 84. Days before the release of Bhoot Bangla, Akshay paid tribute to the late actor.
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He leaves behind a rich legacy defined by his versatility and agility in adapting to changing times in Hindi cinema. He was never just the comedian audiences remembered from Sholay; he was a performer who turned even small roles into lasting moments.
Asrani crafted a space for himself that will continue to live on.