Veteran actor Asrani, who cemented a special place in the hearts of audiences through his portrayal of the eccentric jailer in Sholay and best known for his comic roles, passed away in a hospital in Mumbai on Monday, his manager said.
Asrani may have never been a marquee name up in sparkling lights or on outsized posters but the sheer proficiency with which he realised his characters has unleashed gales of laughter over five decades and made a significant contribution to several landmark films. Dinesh Raheja salutes the iconic actor.
'We had just shared the warmest of hugs just a week back at the shoot of Haiwaan.'
'Just before his death, he did Bhoot Bangla with me. What a honour for that boy from the village who watched him in Sholay!'
'What a talent, what an actor! 'Cast him as anyone, anything, and he is ready for the challenge. I get restless when I don't have him in my film.'
'It is wrong to say he turned director to create starring opportunities for himself. He was happy with what he had.'
Govardhan Asrani passed away on October 20 at the age of 84, and the news became public only after his family had performed the last rites, leaving members of the film industry unaware of his demise until after the cremation.
Before you watch Bhooth Bangla on the big screen on April 10, unscramble this puzzle.
Some of Asrani's work can be watched on streaming platforms. A pick of 10 out of over 350.
Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movies.
'As soon as Salman saw me, he immediately left Aamir's side and came towards me. He hugged me.' 'Then he introduced me to Aamir, saying, 'This is J K Bihari who launched me in Biwi Ho Toh Aisi".'
In half a century, actors have aged or passed away, the shape of the city has altered, the film industry has changed beyond recognition, most single screens have made way for multiplexes, audiences tastes have changed, rural life is very different now, and inflation has devalued the rupee. But a great film is forever. Deepa Gahlot salutes Sholay, as it re-releases in theatres.
Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 may be a comedy filled with chaos, but in its indirect way, it speaks about a time when the Constitution mattered more than one's religion and when the idea of India was larger than personal hate, observes Syed Firdaus Ashraf.
'He was a joyful man. He was always content with his life and never ran after money.'
'The heavens will be a merrier and a happier place now.' Colleagues pay homage to Satish Shah who passed into the ages on Saturday.
'Sholay had a sargam of human emotions.'
'Editor M S Shinde deserves full credit because, I'm told, Ramesh Sippy had shot 300,000 feet of footage, which was brought down to 18,000. 'He died in 2012, in a 126 square foot flat in Dharavi, penniless, a forgotten hero.'
'I make films which I think have the possibility of being liked by a majority of people, and you present it with the right emotions.'
Even after 50 years, Sholay remains a lasting reminder of unity, shared memories and the joy of cinema, notes Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.
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Father-son duo of Niranjan and Kapil Asrani tell us why they lost the Amazing Race Asia, and the fun they had on the show.
'Life does not change in such a way that everything becomes easy. Struggle and hustle is there for everyone. 'The difference is that people have started knowing me.'
'Do films today even have the courage to question the establishment?'
Reader Afsar Madathil has sent us a photograph.
'Mohanlal and Akshay are two actors who trust me implicitly.'
Anushree Mehta will direct the remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's classic film Bawarchi.
Veteran actor Satinder Kumar Khosla, popularly known as Birbal, succumbed to a cardiac arrest on Tuesday, September 12. He was in his 80s.
After their film Dream Girl 2 released in theatres, it was time for Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday to eat cake!
On Tuesday, when trends indicated she was going to win her election, the four-time National Award winner said, 'Heartfelt gratitude to all the people of Mandi for this love and trust... This victory belongs to all of you, this is the victory of your trust in Prime Minister Modi and the BJP, this is the victory of Sanatan and in the honour of Mandi.'
'We want Ayushmann Khurrana's character to look perfect as Pooja in Dream Girl 2 and that's why we are taking extra time to perfect the VFX work for the face.'
The Dream Girl sequel is scheduled for release for Eid 2023, the day usually reserved for Salman Khan's movies.
Kudos to Ayushmann for taking the risk and going by the trailer it's seems he has nailed the character to perfection. Guess we won't be surprised if he rules the award shows this year.
Priyanka was addressing a rally to canvass for the Congress candidate in the Datia assembly seat of Madhya Pradesh, which will go to polls on November 17.
Every now and then Bollywood finds itself in need of divine intervention.
Dream Girl 2's understanding of womanhood boils down to her boobs, sighs Sukanya Verma.
Hrishida's Abhimaan captured the real life pair Jaya and Amitabh Bachchan's dazzling chemistry in the many stages of the husband-wife relationship, observes Sukanya Verma.
Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan had brief roles, almost guest appearances, which they did for Director Hrishikesh Mukherjee's sake, reveals Subhash K Jha.
Cabinet ministers and TV actors will try to bring to life the aeons-old story of Lord Ram at the 10-day-long Ramlila in New Delhi, which has been promised to be bigger than ever by its organisers.
'My spine is whatever it is, weak or strong, it is only for my film and nothing else.'
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