Amid the festival of lights, Diwali, as homes were illuminated with rows of lamps, a lamp of the Hindi film industry dimmed that had lit up the silver screen for over 50 years. Film fans of many generations were entertained by Asrani, who bid adieu to the world on Diwali.
Words often fall short when describing Asrani's cinematic legacy. For true fans of Indian cinema, he was an icon whose very presence changed the atmosphere in theaters, largely due to his comedy. Whether as the evergreen jailor in 'Sholay' or the face of confusion in many of Priyadarshan's modern films, Asrani was an unforgettable presence whose scenes you couldn't leave.
Yet, Asrani was remembered not just for comedy. He immortalized an array of characters, including those viewed through the lens of 'serious' acting, leaving a massive legacy in supporting roles.
Asrani's 'Serious' Characters
The strength of Asrani's work in supporting roles is evident from the fact that esteemed directors like Gulzar, Basu Chatterjee, and Hrishikesh Mukherjee worked extensively with him. They gave him roles that represented various life struggles and facets.
In Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 'Satyakam' (1969), which revolved around Dharmendra's idealistic journey, Asrani played the character of Peter. Mukherjee cleverly utilized Asrani's expressiveness in setting the film's tone with the song 'Zindagi Hai Kya'. During that era, Asrani exhibited that while he had a treasure of expressions, he also knew how to economize them effectively.
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In the iconic 1971 film 'Mere Apne', the lead roles of Shyam (Vinod Khanna) and Chenu (Shatrughan Sinha) are memorable. However, it was Raghu in Chenu's gang whose affair sparked the clash with Shyam's group. Gulzar's film showcased a different Asrani, far from the iconic comedian he later became. In Gulzar's 'Koshish' (1972), Asrani played a greedy brother, whose actions led to the death of his deaf-mute sister's child.
In the platinum jubilee 'Ajanabee' (1974) directed by Shakti Samanta, Asrani had a supporting role, yet he was crucial to the film's drama. He guided Zeenat Aman's character on her ambitious path, and his stylish, fashionable avatar matched the film's hero Rajesh Khanna.
After the 90s, Asrani is largely remembered for his comedic roles. However, he portrayed many important serious roles, notably the farmer Mohan in 'Khoon Pasina' (1977). Mohan was not the typical domineering landlord but a straightforward farmer. Yet, to meet his wife's (Aruna Irani) expectations, he takes actions that lead to his demise. In 'Khoon Pasina's' title track, Asrani's intent to go after Tiger (Amitabh Bachchan) showcased his compelling performance.
Asrani—a Face of Romance and Villainy
Beyond comedy, Asrani's powerful acting found examples in many supporting roles that were romantic. For glimpses of his romantic expressions, 'Nikah' (1982) is noteworthy, especially the song 'Chehra Chupa Liya Hai' featuring Asrani in the opening scene.
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Asrani's range didn't stop at drama and comedy; he also played negative characters. In Jackie Shroff's iconic film 'Teri Meherbaniyan' (1985), Asrani's villainous Banwari Lal was pivotal, causing Shroff's character's demise and committing unspeakable acts of violence alongside Sardarilal (Sadashiv Amrapurkar).
Asrani's roles in the 70s and 80s, though often for comic relief, were integral to the stories, blending comedy with drama and tension. However, by the 90s, comedic roles became largely one-dimensional. Yet, Asrani infused his roles with significance and maintained his search for depth and seriousness.
Source: aajtak
One such example is 'Kyun Ki' (2005) starring Salman Khan. In this movie, Salman is in a mental hospital, sharing space with an old character, Manmohit, portrayed by Asrani, who pretends madness to escape familial disputes. The full range of Asrani’s acting can be seen in this role.
