Mumbai, Oct 21 — The film industry came together in grief on Monday as veteran actor Asrani, whose effortless humour and expressive performances made him one of Hindi cinema’s most cherished faces, passed away at the age of 84.
From Sholay’s iconic jailor to the nervous clerk in Chhoti Si Baat, Asrani’s characters shaped the language of comedy in Indian films for over five decades.
Remembering him as “a most talented colleague,” Amitabh Bachchan wrote, “We lose another… sudden and saddening… prayers,” recalling how Asrani also tutored Jaya Bachchan at FTII.
Akshay Kumar, who recently shot with him for Haiwaan, said, “He was a lovely person with legendary comic timing… God bless you Asrani Sir, for giving us a million reasons to laugh.”
Shabana Azmi said she was “devastated” by his passing. “Asrani sir was our diction teacher at FTII… the way he spoke was very beautiful. His loss is a national one,” she said.
Condolences also poured in from Ajay Devgn, Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Rajpal Yadav, Kajol, and Farhan Akhtar, who described him as warm, witty and endlessly inspiring.
Anupam Kher wrote, “We will miss you in physical form, but your laughter will keep you alive for years to come.”
Having started his career with Hare Kaanch Ki Churiyan in 1967, Asrani went on to work in more than 200 films, including Mere Apne, Parichay, Bawarchi, Koshish, Rafoo Chakkar and Pati Patni Aur Woh.
To generations of moviegoers, he was more than a comic — he was a reflection of everyday joy, mischief and resilience that made Indian cinema what it is today.
