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The Indian television and film industry has lost another gem, veteran actor Govardhan Asrani, on Monday, October 20. The Bollywood actor and comedian passed away at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness. The news of his demise has saddened the entire film industry and fans alike. Several celebrities took to social media to express their grief and pay tribute to the late actor. Among them, actress Shilpa Shirodkar expressed her deep sorrow over losing the actor, with whom she had the opportunity to share screen space. Shilpa Shirodkar Expresses Sorrow Over Asrani’s Demise Taking to social media, Shilpa Shirodkar wrote, “Deeply saddened by the news of Asrani Ji’s demise. It was an honour working with you, Sir. I will always cherish that experience.” Shilpa, who had the privilege of working with Asrani on several projects, remembered him fondly as a gentle, humble, and incredibly gifted actor who could bring joy and laughter to any set. Asrani’s Final Message to Fans Just hours before his demise, Asrani shared a Diwali greeting on his Instagram story, simply captioned, “Happy Diwali.” He passed away at Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu, Mumbai, after being admitted for nearly five days due to health complications. Reports suggest that fluid had built up in his lungs, worsening his condition. Family sources revealed that Asrani had wished for a quiet and dignified farewell. Despite his celebrity status, he wanted to be remembered as an ordinary man and had asked his wife, Manju, to keep his passing low-key, avoiding any public or media attention. To fulfil his last wish, the funeral was held privately at the Santacruz crematorium in a quiet ceremony attended only by close family members. Asrani’s Legacy In Acting Asrani was one of Indian cinema’s most beloved comic actors, with a career spanning more than five decades. He appeared in over 350 films, leaving a lasting impression in both lead and supporting comedic roles. Among his most iconic performances was the jailer in Sholay, in which he did a hilarious parody of Hitler that remains iconic to this day. He also shone in classics like Chupke Chupke, Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar, and Chala Murari Hero Banne. Asrani’s talent wasn’t limited to Hindi cinema; he also acted in numerous Gujarati and Rajasthani films and directed a few projects in both languages. Throughout his career, he shared screen space with legends such as Mehmood and Rajesh Khanna, and later worked alongside Govinda, Akshay Kumar, and Ajay Devgn, earning admiration for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. His demise is a huge loss to the entire Indian film fraternity.
