With the passing away of Govardhan Asrani on Monday, Indian cinema lost a fine actor who could essay a range of fascinating characters.

Known by his screen name Asrani, he was popular for playing aspiring actor Kundan in Guddi (1971), a music composer who copies western tunes in Bawarchi (1972), a sensible manager to Amitabh Bachchan ’s character in Abhimaan (1973) and a goofy jailor in Sholay (1975).

A veteran of more than 300 films spanning over five decades, he died at 84 in Mumbai after a long illness.

Film historian and author Balaji Vittal believes Asrani was a great artiste and “not just a comedian”. Unpacking Asrani’s much-loved character Nagesh in Basu Chatterjee’s Chhoti Si Baat (1975), Vittal says: “He is full of swagger initially. His body language changes when his cocki

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