Asrani was a fine actor, mostly typecast as a comedian.
In the 1970s, his best films were with Hrishikesh Mukherjee. When his career got second wind, he had a fruitful collaboration with Priyadarshan.
Deepa Gahlot picks 10 Asrani performances to marvel at on OTT.
The Trial (2025)
Where to watch: JioHotstar
In a scene-stealing cameo as a canny senior lawyer, in the recent Umesh Bisht-directed OTT series, he tried to beat Kajol in court.
Khatta Meetha (2010)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
In Priyadarshan's comedy, he played the eccentric Seth Karodimal, who gets drawn into the lead actor's (Akshay Kumar) struggles with small town bureaucracy.
Dhamaal (2007)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Z5
In Indra Kumar's film, he played an eccentric Parsi, Nari Contractor, the father of one of the main actors (Aashish Chaudhary), who is obsessed with his car.
Bhaagam Bhaag (2006)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
In this Priyadarshan crime-comedy, he played Ravindra Taneja, who gets a theatre group to London and they get involved in a murder.
Hera Pheri (2000)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
In Priyadarshan's wonderful comedy, he played the bank manager who triggers the battle for a job between the characters played by Suniel Shetty and Tabu.
Chhoti Si Baat (1976)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, JioHotstar
In Basu Chatterjee's charming romcom, he played the gregarious Nagesh, rival of the shy hero (Amol Palekar) for the attention of the female lead (Vidya Sinha).
Sholay (1975)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
His most famous role was in this Ramesh Sippy film, as the bumbling prison official with the catch phrase 'Hum Angrezon ke zamaane ke jailer hain!'
Chupke Chupke (1975)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
In the popular Hrishikesh Mukherjee comedy, he played the role of P K Srivastava, who is caught up in the plot of deception hatched by the two male leads (Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan).
Abhimaan (1973)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
In Hrishikesh Mukherjee's intense drama, he had the serious and crucial role of Chander Kirpalani, the protagonist's (Amitabh Bachchan) secretary and friend.
Bawarchi (1972)
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
In Hrishikesh Mukherjee's comedy drama, he played a plagiarising music composer, one of the many dysfunctional family members whose lives are changed by the arrival of the new cook (Rajesh Khanna).