Asrani

Asrani

Native name      असराणी اسراڻي

Born      Govardhan Asrani

1 January 1941 (Age 74)

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Education            Graduation

Alma mater        Rajasthan College,

FTII, Pune

Occupation         Actor, Producer

Years active        1967-present

Spouse(s)            Manju Asrani

Awards Filmfare Award for Best Comedian

Govardhan Asrani, popularly known simply as Asrani, is an Indian actor and director whose Bollywood career has spanned five decades. He has played in both Gujarati and Hindi films, and his roles include lead hero performances, character roles, comedic roles, as well as supporting parts.

Contents

  [hide]

•             1 Early life

•             2 Career

o             2.1 As director

o             2.2 As singer

•             3 Filmography

•             4 Awards

•             5 References

•             6 External links

Early life[edit]

Asrani was born in a middle class Hindu Sindhi family. His father migrated to Jaipur after the Partition of India and opened a shop selling carpets. He has four sisters and three brothers: two elder and one younger. Asrani was highly uninterested in business and very weak in mathematics. He completed his matriculation from St. Xaviers School and did his graduation from Rajasthan College, Jaipur. He simultaneously worked as a voice artist at All India Radio, Jaipur, to pay for his education. His ultimate aim was to become an actor.

He is married to actress Manju (Bansal) Asrani, with whom he fell in love working together in films like Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar andTapasya. In Aaj Ki Taza Khabar, Asrani played as Champak Boomia / Amit Desai and Manju played role of Kesari Desai and for this role Asrani won Filmfare Award for Best Comedian.[1] Later the couple acted in Hum Nahin Sudhrenge, a home production directed by Asrani in 1980.[2]

Career[edit]

He began to learn acting from Sahitya Kalbhai Thakkar from 1960 to 1962.[3] In 1962, he travelled to Bombay (now Mumbai) and began to seek opportunities to act. In 1963, on an accidental meeting with Kishore Sahu and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, they advised him to learn acting professionally.

In 1964 Asrani joined the Film Institute in Poona (now Film and Television Institute of India, Pune) and finished his course in 1966. He got his first break in Hindi films playing the friend of actor Biswajeet in the film Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan in 1967. In the film institute he had impressed many and made his acting break as a hero in 1967 with a Gujaratimovie opposite budding actress Waheeda (not Waheeda Rahman; the Hindi actress). He acted in four other movies, mainly as actor or supporting actor in Gujarati from 1967 to 1969. He did not get much offers from Hindi film industry between 1967-69. His old advisor, Hrishikesh Mukherjee then gave him role of supporting actor in the film Satyakam in 1969. He got noticed then in the film Mere Apne. It was from 1971 that he started getting more offers as the main comedian in films or as the close friend of the lead actor.

Directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Atma Ram, Gulzar repeatedly cast him in the period 1971-1974 and his work got noticed through these films. These roles he did from 1971-1974 set the tone for a number of supporting and comic roles in his career and in 70's his demand was at its peak as he appeared in 101 films from 1970-1979 and had effective roles in them. Though initially Rajesh Khanna and Asrani had met only on sets of Bawarchi, they became close friends after Namak Haraam, after which for the role of comedianRajesh Khanna insisted the producers and directors to make Asrani part of his films. Asrani worked in 25 films with Rajesh Khanna from 1972-1991 from Bawarchi(1972) to Ghar Parivaar(1991). His most memorable works as supporting actor from 1970-1979 are in Mere Apne, Koshish, Bawarchi, Parichay, Abhimaan, Mehbooba, Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein,Do Ladke Dono Kadke, Bandish. He played the lead hero in Chala Murari Hero Banne, a Hindi film he wrote and directed in 1977, which was critically acclaimed. His notable role as comedian from 70's are in Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar, Roti, Prem Nagar, Chupke Chupke, Chhoti Si Baat, Rafoo Chakkar, Sholay, Balika Badhu, Fakira, Anurodh, Chhailla Babu,Charas, Phaansi, Dillagi, Heeralal Pannalal, Pati Patni Aur Woh and Hamare Tumhare. Though he had played supporting character in many films even before, he played a serious role for first time in Khoon Pasina. He was hugely talked about in the 1970s and was one of Rajesh Khanna's close friends. He became a regular feature in films produced by D. Rama Naidu and those movies directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, B.R.Chopra, K. Bapaiah, Narayana Rao Dasari, K. Raghavendra Rao, Basu Chatterjee in 1972-1992. He won the Filmfare award for Best Comedian for his performances in Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar in 1974 and for Balika Badhu in 1977. In 1974, he directed his first movie in Gujarati with Asrani himself as the hero, and the song Hu Amdavad No Rikshawalo sung by Kishore Kumar was picturised on Asrani. The songs picturised on Asrani and sung by Kishore in Hindi are Achcha Chaloji Baba Maaf Kardo from Hamare Tumhare, Pyar Main Karoonga from Yeh Kaisa Insaaf. The song 'Mannu Bhai Motor Chali Pam' was sung by him with Kishore Kumar and was picturised on Rishi Kapoor and him, in 'Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan' in 1978.

In the 1980s, he acted in 107 Hindi films. Asrani holds record for appearing as a character actor/comedian in most number of Hindi films in a decade – 101 in 70’s and 107 in 80’s. Unlike his roles in 1970-84 which were pivotal to the plot, most of his roles from 1985-1993 were very minor mainly because the concept of a comedian was getting phased out and heroes preferred to do their own comedy and action films were ruling the roost in the period 1985-1994. In 80's his memorable performances were in Hamari Bahu Alka,Ek Hi Bhool, Yeh Kaisa Insaf, Kaamchor, Agar Tum Na Hote, Asha Jyoti, Maqsad, Main Intequam Loonga, Love 86, Biwi Ho To Aisi. During this period in 1982, he set up a small Gujarati production company with fellow artistes Dinesh Hingoo, Harish Patel and Salim Parvez (son of famous supporting actor Yunus Parvez). The company dissolved in 1996 with a large profit. Asrani also invested mainly in cloth and acted as investor for other actors, until 1991 when he lost a lot of money. From 1988 to 1993, he was a director for the Film Institute in Pune. It was only from 1985-1994 that his screen space in the Hindi films were for less duration. In 90's he did only 73 Hindi movies due to lack of good scope for him to perform. Muqabla (1993) saw him in a serious role after long time.

Simultaneously he kept working in Gujarati films in 70's, 80's as lead hero and achieved success as the lead protagonist in Amdavad No Rikshawalo, Saat Qaidi, Sansar Chakra,Pankhi No Malo, Jugal Jodi, Maa Baap, Chel Chabilo Gujarati. From 90's he played as comedian or supporting actor in Gujarati films like Mota Ghar Ni Vahu, Piyu Gayo Pardesh, Baap Dhamal Dikhra.

D.Rama Naidu gave him a pivotal role to Asrani in Taqdeerwala in 1995 and once again comedy movies were being made from thereon . Asrani started getting good roles in films directed by David Dhawan and Priyadarshan from 1993 till 2012. His most memorable performances as comedian from 90's are in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Gardish,Taqdeerwala, Gharwali Baharwali, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Hero Hindustani.

The 2000s saw Asrani in a number of films like Hera Pheri, Chup Chup Ke, Hulchul, Deewane Huye Paagal, Garam Masala, Chup Chup Ke, Malamaal Weekly, Bhagam Bhag,De Dana Dan, Bol Bachchan, Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal which had him in effective comedy roles. He appeared in a serious role in Kyun Ki. He was an integral part of comedies by Sajid Nadiadwala, Priyadarshan after 2000. His screen space in films of Rohit Shetty and others has got reduced gradually after 2009.

As director[edit]

Asrani has directed six movies.

Direction Filmography

Year       Film        Language

1997       Udaan

Hindi

1992       Dil Hi To Hai

Hindi

1980       Hum Nahin Sudhrenge  Hindi

1979       Salaam Memsaab

Hindi

1977       Chala Murari Hero Banne

Hindi

1974       Amdavad No Rikshawalo              Gujarati

As singer[edit]

In 1977, Asrani sang two songs in the movie Alaap, both picturised on him. A year later he sang "Mannu Bhai Motor Chale", a duet with Kishore Kumar, for the film Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan.

In 2008, Asrani made a special appearance in the Punjabi film Yaariyan.

Singer Filmography

Film (Year)          Song      Remarks

Alaap (1977)

"Binati Sun Le Tanik"      

                "Ho Rama Dar Lage Apni Umariya Se"    

Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan (1978)

"Mannu Bhai Motor Chali Pum Pum"      with Kishore Kumar

Asrani and Mallika Sherawat were the judges of the 18th annual Naya Andaz competition on 17 April 2010, in New Jersey.

Filmography[edit]

Acting Filmography

Year       Title       Role       Notes

                Dillagi... Yeh Dillagi

               

2015       Ishq Ka Manjan

santa    

2013       R.. Rajkumar

Pandit  

                Himmatwala

Ticket Checker 

2012       Joker

Master ji             

                Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal

Priest   

                Bol Bachchan

Shashtri               

                Agent Vinod

Ramlal  

2011       Bodyguard

Shekhar              

2010       Khatta Meeta

Karodimal           

                Dus Tola

Sarpanch            

2009       Paying Guests

Kiska Miglani     

                De Dana Dan

Mamu  

                All The Best

Vidya's father   

2008       Karzzz

College Principal              

                Billu

Naubat Chacha

2007       Bhool Bhulaiyaa

Murari 

                Dhamaal

Nari Contractor

                Fool & Final

Lalwani

                Bhagam Bhag

TBC       

2006       Malamaal Weekly

Chokhey             

                Chup Chup Ke

Sharma Ji            

2005       Garam Masala

Mamu  

                Cages

Leo         English film

                Elaan

Kishorilal             

                Insaan

Film Director     

                Kyon ki

Asylum patient

                Hulchul

Advocate Mishra             

2004       Ek Se Badhkar Ek

Don Srikant Ramprasad

                Suno Sasurjee

Murli    

                Arrangement

Papa     

2003       Mumbai Matinee

Pyarelal               

                Baghban

Bedi      

                Tujhe Meri Kasam

Kashinath Dixit 

2002       Dil Vil Pyar Vyar

Chandru              

                Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare

Topichand's brother-in-law        

                Awara Paagal Deewana

Champaklal        

                Ek Aur Visphot

Dr. Daniel           

2001       Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa

Jhoomri's Boss 

                Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar

Chandiramani   

                Lajja

Gulab Chand     

2000       Aaghaaz

Gullu    

                Karobaar

Champak            

                Chal Mere Bhai

Family Doctor   

                Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa

Company owner             

                Hera Pheri

Bank Manager  

                Mela

Kaka/Banwari Baniya     

1999       Raja Kumarudu

Policeman          

                Haseena Maan Jaayegi

Jamnadas           

                International Khiladi

Payl's Boss         

                Heeralal Pannalal

Havaldar Chaurasia         

                Mother                Johnny

1998       Mehndi

Tolani   

                Hero Hindustani

Cameroon          

                Haste Hasate

               

                Bade Miyan Chote Miyan

Security Officer

                Dulhe Raja

Inspector Azgar Singh   

                Gharwali Baharwali

Dr. Ved

1993       Muqabla

Soni's husband 

                Dil Tera Aashiq

Natwar Lal          

1992       Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar

Dubeyji, Teacher             

1985       Teri Meherbaniyan

Munim Banwarilal           

1983       Himmatwala

Bhushan             

1982       Nikaah

Saif        

1982       Sitam

               

1980       Agreement

Dilip Kanuchand               

1981       Ek Hi Bhool

Manohar Prasad M.P.   

1979       Satyakaam

Peter    

1978       Pati Patni Aur Woh

Abdul Karim Durrani      

                Badalte Rishtey

Anup Chandra Thakur   

1977       Kalabaaz

Changu

                Alaap

Ganesh (Ganeshi)          

1976       Tapasya

Vinod Sinha       

                Balika Badhu

Sharat  

1975       Mili

Drunkard (Guest App)  

                Chhoti Si Baat

Nagesh

                Rafoo Chakkar

Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi 

                Sholay

Jailor     

                Chupke Chupke

Prashant Shrivastav       

1974       Bidaai

Murli/Bhaskar  

                Ajnabee

Chetan Kumar  

                Aap Ki Kasam

Dr. Ghad-Ghad Singhwala           

1973       Namak Haraam

Dhondu, Shyama's brother         

                Abhimaan

Chander Kripalani           

                Anamika

Hanuman Singh               

1972       Parichay

Narayan              

                Bawarchi

Vishwanath Sharma/Babbu        

1971       Mere Apne

Raghunath         

                Guddi

Kundan               

1969       Umang                

1967       Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan

               

Awards[edit]

•             Best Actor, Best Director Award from Gujarat State Government for Saat Qaidi (Gujarati)[4]

Year       Recipient / Nominated work       Award   Result

1973       Anhonee

Shama Sushama Award for Best Comedian          Won

1974       Abhimaan

Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor

Nominated

                Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar

Filmfare Best Comedian Award

Won

                Namak Haraam

                Nominated

1977       Balika Badhu

                Won