Bollywood veteran actor Govardhan Asrani which left behind a cinematic legacy of over five decades as he died at the age of 84 in Mumbai on 20 october, 2025. Asrani’s contribution to Indian cinema was larger than life with the legacy of his iconic comic roles and versatile performances in Hindi and Gujarati films.
Who is Govardhan Asrani?
Govardhan Asrani was born on January 1, 1941, in Jaipur, Rajasthan. A darling of Indian cinema, he was famous for his pitch-perfect comic timing and supporting roles most people remember him as the zany jailer from Sholay, but he was much more than just comedy. He did more than 350 films and worked with legendary actors and filmmakers through the decades.
Govardhan Asrani Education
Asrani got his early schooling in Jaipur and graduated from Rajasthan College. He helped himself during this time as a voice artist at All India Radio and then decided to pursue acting as a career in earnest. After being encouraged by many veterans in the industry, he packed his bags to go to Mumbai and joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune in 1964, finishing his course in 1966.
Govardhan Asrani Career
His film debut came in 1967 in Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan. The early part of his career was quite fraught but his best came after Hrishikesh Mukherjee cast him in Satyakam (1969). The 1970s and 80s saw him flourish as a comic genius with memorable performances in Mere Apne, Chhoti Si Baat, and Parichay. He also wrote and starred in Chala Murari Hero Banne (1977). He became known in Bollywood for his association with Rajesh Khanna, in which they acted in more than 25 films together.
Govardhan Asrani Family
Asrani was married to actress Manju Bansal, his co-star in several films like Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar and Namak Haram. The couple shared a strong on and off screen bond and went on to do multiple films together post wedding and they lived in Mumbai with their family.
ALSO READ: Who is Matt Garman: Salary, Net Worth, Career & Family | AWS CEO
Govardhan Asrani Net Worth
The estimated net worth of Asrani was around $5 to $6 million around Rs. 48 crore most of his earning came from acting through the decades while also directing and appearing in Hindi and Gujarati cinema.
Govardhan Asrani Filmography
Over 350 films feature Asrani including megahits like Sholay, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Dhamaal and R… Rajkumar. He starred prominently in much of Gujarati cinema during the 1970s onward, taking on character roles well into the 2010s.
Govardhan Asrani Awards
He was awarded several honors such as the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for the movies Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar (1974) and Balika Badhu (1977). He also got the Gujarat State Award for Best Actor and Director in 1986 for his film Saat Qaidi.
ALSO READ: Who is Lee Jung-jae? South Korean Actor’s Age, Wife, Net Worth, Films & Family
Disclaimer: The content is for informational purposes only. Financial estimates are approximate and based on publicly available sources as of 2025.
