How Indira Gandhi Helped Asrani Land His Major Break in Cinema
Asrani once reminisced about how his significant breakthrough in cinema was thanks to Indira Gandhi’s intervention, which advocated for graduates from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and paved the way for trained talents in Bollywood.
The beloved actor and comedian, Govardhan Asrani, affectionately known as Asrani, passed away at the age of 84 on October 20 at Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu, Mumbai. His remarkable career spanned over five decades, during which he starred in more than 350 films. Despite this impressive legacy, Asrani preferred a graceful exit, asking his wife, Manju, to keep his final moments private.
Asrani’s path to fame was anything but straightforward. He trained at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, in 1964. Despite this background, he encountered persistent rejection in Mumbai. Reflecting on those challenging times, he once shared with Bollywood Thikana, “I would carry my certificate, but they would dismiss me, saying, ‘You think acting requires certificates? Big stars lack formal training, and you think you’re unique? Get lost.’”
His breakthrough came with the unexpected support of Indira Gandhi. Serving as the Information and Broadcasting Minister at that time, her involvement transformed Asrani’s career and created opportunities for other FTII graduates as well.
“One day, Indira Gandhi visited Pune. As the I&B minister, we expressed our frustrations to her — despite our qualifications, no one would listen to us. She then came to Mumbai and encouraged producers to hire us. Shortly after that, work began to flow in. Jaya Bhaduri was cast in Guddi, and so was I. When Guddi became a hit, people began to take FTII graduates seriously,” he recounted.
This endorsement not only marked Asrani’s first major role but also validated the presence of trained actors in a sector often dominated by instinct over education. Guddi (1971) marked a critical juncture in his career, leading him to become a well-known figure across various genres, from earnest roles to the comedic characters that endeared him to audiences.
He went on to create some of Hindi cinema’s most memorable moments, particularly with his role as the quirky jailer in Sholay (1975), delivering the iconic line, “Hum angrezon ke zamaane ke jailer hain!” This performance secured his legacy in Indian pop culture while he continued to captivate audiences in classics like Chupke Chupke, Chhoti Si Baat, and Rafoo Chakkar.
Even in his later years, Asrani maintained relevance, showcasing his distinctive humor in popular films like Hera Pheri and Bhagam Bhag. Behind the accolades, however, he wished to be remembered simply as a man of the people, not apart from them.
What do you think of Asrani’s impact on the Indian film industry?
