Asrani no more: Angrezon ka ja

Entertainment

Asrani no more: Angrezon ka jailor passed away after Diwali wishes

Veteran Bollywood actor Govardhan Asrani, fondly known as Asrani, passed away at the age of 84 on Monday around 4 PM after a prolonged illness. Before his death, he broadcast Diwali wishes in his social media account.

The cause of his death remains undisclosed, leaving fans and the film industry in mourning. His sudden demise shocked many.

Asrani appeared in over 300 films throughout his career, but it was his brief yet unforgettable role as a 'Jailer from the British era' in the 1975 cult classic ‘Sholay’ that became his signature.

Scriptwriters Salim-Javed wanted a character inspired by Adolf Hitler, even handing Asrani a book with Hitler’s photo to capture the look and mannerisms. Taking the challenge seriously, Asrani studied Hitler’s voice through recordings at the Film Institute in Pune, where he had trained. Mimicking Hitler’s tone, he delivered the now-iconic line “Hum angrezon ke zamane ke jailer hain” (We are jailers from the British era), which received thunderous applause from audiences.