RENOWNED COMIC ACTOR ASRANI COMPLETES 83 . STILL ENTHUSIASTIC AND ENERGETIC

On First January, 2024,the renowned actor of Indian Film Industry Goverdhan Asrani having acted in 350 movies with many of his movies especially SHOLAY OF 1974 being super duper hit has completed 83 years entering 84 this month.

Extremely popular as a comic actor and still energetic and enthusiastic in replying to the queries in various reality shows – one being globally popular Kapil Sharma show with a fantastic memory, Asrani has, attained the status of an institution in himself as a veteran comic actor praised and lauded every where with due reverence.

I don’t think anyone in this country and around the globe among Indians wouldn’t like him for his tremendous power to make audience laugh and remain glued to their seats, sofas or beds while watching his movies and shows.

During his Bollywood life of several decades right from “Guddi” till date, a graduate of FTII Asrani has carved a niche for himself through his extremely hard work, dedication and determination including perseverance while going door to doors of directors and producers umpteen times asking for a small role initially, finally dominating the Bollywood as a comedian superstar till date.

A student of Jaipur Rajasthan who graduated from the state University Asrani belonged to a Sindhi family with his father owning a carpet shop there. He had seven brothers and sisters but he wasn’t interested in business, hence did his studies from FTII Pune.

Asrani used to carry the heavy reels of his work ( acting dramas) etc from door to door while approaching the producers and directors to show them his work – only to return back empty handed with no work probably getting the first break in a popular movie “Guddi” in a small role never to look back again.

Having acted with the first and original superstar of Indian film Industry Rajesh Khanna in over 25 movies most of his films were super duper hits.

Asrani though, was always a high rated comic actor but after Sholay in which he performed the role of a JAILER in the posture of Hitler his market value increased manifold, even popular till date.

This writer/ journalist also had a personal encounter with Asrani in Delhi when I was closeted with him and the renowned actor ( comedian and Villain) Shakti Kapoor for few hours during the Delhi elections in 2008.

I vividly remember that I was then the media Consultant with Delhi Commission for Women and attached with the then chairperson of DCW Barkha Singh. Barkha Singh was one of the best chairpersons of DCW having done justice to good number of distressed women of the national capital. She was contesting from Rama Krishna Puram legislative constituency for the second time from where her husband was also MLA. The Rama Krishna Puram constituency was represented by Ashok Singh and Barkha Singh thrice and several film stars like Reena Roy, Shabana Azmi, Rajesh Khanna, Mahima Choudhary, Nagma had campaigned for them, all being their family friends.

During the 2008 Delhi Assembly elections the Congress party had hired Asrani and Shakti Kapoor to campaign for Congress candidates in Delhi. I was requested by the then chairperson of Delhi Commission for Women who was contesting for the second time from RK Puram constituency to accompany both the actors from Hotel Hilton owned by famous industrialist late Lalit Suri in Delhi near Tolstoy Marg.

Both Asrani and Shakti Kapoor had to be brought to their residence in Safdarjung Enclave from where they were to go to Rama Krishna Puram for Road shows and meetings. When I reached the Hotel , I enquired from reception, the number of Asrani’s room and went there. I was curious to meet the comic actor for the first time. When I pressed the bell of his room, Asrani came at the door n opened it tying his shirt buttons, likely to be ready. I introduced myself as Sunil Negi sent by Barkha Singh, via AICC to accompany them to R. K. Puram for campaigning on behalf of Congress.

Asrani asked me to first meet Shakti Kapoor and said that he is coming down stairs in the lobby shortly. While I was leaving, he said Negi Sahib, will you mind if I ask you something . I said no I won’t, you can sir. He asked : Is there any wine shop on the way while we go for campaigning. I said yes it is on the way at Yashwant Place. Asrani requested me if I can arrange him bottle of whisky on the way. I was really shocked to hear this thinking as to what is the hurry for the whisky. However, I came to the lobby to enquire about the room number of Shakti Kapoor. However, in white suit and white shoes smart looking Shakti Kapoor was already there with people, especially girls looking at the star curiously and asking for autographs.

Meanwhile after some time, Asrani also came to lobby with a long bag usually used as cricket kit. I thought what’s the need to bring it? I met Asrani in the lobby requesting both Shakti Kapoor and Asrani to follow us. We were in a Green Maruti car driven by one Mr. Paul. As soon as Asrani came to the lobby he again reminded me for the whisky to be bought on the way while heading for R. K. Puram. I have no option but to nod my head in affirmation. I thought, may be, since whisky in five star hotels is extremely expensive, the actor must be buying for the night session to be consumed in hotel room. When I asked him as to how is it possible to buy on the way as Shakti Kapoor ji may object, Asrani said don’t worry about him. He can’t object.

When we started from the five star hotel I thought Asrani amd Shakti Kapoor would go together in a white Limousine arranged by Congress but to my utter surprise Asrani said I will go with you. When I objected saying sir we have a simple Maruti car, Asrani replied so what? It hardly matters, I will accompany you. I had no option but to let him in, in the Maruti in the front seat with Mr. Paul on the driving seat. The white Limousine of Shakti Kapoor with some friends of his was following our green Maruti. As soon as it reached Chanakyapuri, Yashwant Place I stopped the car and asked Asrani as to which brand of whisky is to be bought and how may. He turned backwards and gave me Rs 1000 requesting to fetch two bottles of Blenders Pride. When I said I would pay, he refused saying why should you ?

Meanwhile, a person from Shakti Kapoor’s car came to us enquiring as to why our car was stopped in between. I used the opportunity and handed him money with actor Asrani asking him to fetch two blenders Pride bottles. The boy did the needful. Since I was on the back seat. I took both the bottles and started putting them inside the bag of Asrani. He asked for one bottle and started opening its cap/ lid ( Dhakkan). I was aghast and shocked as it was around 5 . 00 in the evening. I told sir we’ll arrange plastic glass for you but Asrani refused asking me and Paul if we would like to have some. Obviously we said no. But Asrani without wasting a single moment, started enjoying the drink from the bottle straight away taking sip after sip, having consumed a quarter of it or may be more by the time we reached Safdarjung Enclave, from where after meeting both Ashokji and Barkha Singhji, we headed for R. K. Puram Sector one market.

On the way Asrani had a register with him and he was noting points about R. K. Puram constituency and several social issues thinking that he will address a public meeting. But there wasn’t any meeting. They had to do road show. After Asrani and Shakti Kapoor reached Sector One Market , Rama Krishna Puram hundreds of people gathered with crowds following them.

From here we went to Sector 5 Mohan Singh Market where too hundreds of people started gathering posing for pictures and creating lot of confusion. The mess by the increased uncontrolled and mismanaged crowd both the stars were annoyed especially Shakti Kapoor who had no option but to return back immediately. I fondly remember how Shakti Kapoor in frustration asked Asrani who was in out car to come with him immediately saying Asrani let’s get back otherwise this crowd will not let us campaign systematically and literally pounce on them. Asrani was in a hurry as everything went hey wire asking us to return his bag which contained two whisky bottles. A man from Shakti Kapoors car on Asrani’s insistence came to us and took the bag.

Both Shakti Kapoor and Asrani immediately sat in their white Limousine and returned to the hotel in a Huff with crowds rushing towards them. At ten in the night when I reached my home and anxiously rang to the hotel asking the receptionist to connect to Asrani asking him as to why they returned back from campaigning in a Huff, the actor was in full mood, first not recognising me and then saying it was not me but Shakti Kapoor who returned and forced me to do so. He seemed fully intoxicated as his voice was in higher tone and in full mood. This is just a sweet memory, which I thought to pen down with optimism that you must have really enjoyed reading it.