THE VERSATILE ACTOR-COMEDIAN WITH IMPECCABLE COMIC TIMING

The late actor endeared himself to the audience by playing the eccentric jailer in 'Sholay' and many other memorable roles in over 300 films

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Veteran actor Govardhan Asrani, who endeared himself to the audience by playing the eccentric jailer in 'Sholay' and many other memorable roles in over 300 films, passed away in a hospital on Monday. He was 84.

The actor, popularly known as Asrani in the industry, was known for his impeccable comic timing in Hindi cinema, but fans most remember him for the role of the dictatorial jailer in 'Sholay' who often mouths the dialogue 'Hum angrezon ke zamaane ke jailer hain.' His role in the 1975 film still evokes laughter all these years later. Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar modelled the character after Charlie Chaplin in “The Great Dictator.

According to Asrani's manager, Babubhai Thiba, the actor was admitted to Bharatiya Arogya Nidhi Hospital in suburban Juhu four days ago. “He was a bit unwell. He was admitted following breathing issues. He passed away today at 3:00 PM. We were told by the doctors that water had accumulated in his lungs,” Thiba told PTI.

Asrani acted with some of the biggest directors in each era of his five-decade-long career and worked with almost every top star, be it Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan or others. Though trained at the FTII, Asrani was pigeonholed in comedic roles, often playing the hero's friend. He first got noticed for his role in 'Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar.' His other memorable role is that of a man competing with the hero for the attention of the same woman in 'Chhoti Si Baat.