Asrani, Sholay’s ‘Angrezon ke zamaane ke jailor’, and legendary comedian, passed away at the age of 84 on October 20, 2025. The veteran actor was hospitalised following breathing issues; doctors later informed that there was fluid accumulation in his lungs. While Asrani stayed in the limelight his entire career, making people laugh and cry with his iconic portrayals, his last wish was to keep his last rites private. The news became official only after the actor’s cremation.
While Asrani’s comedy roles outnumber his other portrayals, many would still remember him as Hindu sage Narad Muni in Natkhat Narad, an 80s show. In the 1975 film Chhoti Si Baat, directed by Basu Chatterjee, Asrani played the role of Nagesh, the second lead alongside Amol Palekar, a role that adds a major twist to the iconic love story. In Koshish, he played a villain that people loved to hate.
Asrani shot for his last two movies through pain, says Priyadarshan
Known for his strong work ethic till his last days, Asrani shot for his last two films Bhooth Bangla and Haiwaan, through pain, recalls Priyadarshan in an interview with India Today. With the legendary director, Asrani had worked in 19 films, the maximum he did with any director. ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘De Dana Dan’, to ‘Malamal Weekly’, Asrani became an essential part in Priyadarshan’s movies.
In 2026, Asrani will be seen one last time in Priyadarshan’s Bhooth Bangla and Haiwaan. In both the films he will share screenspace with Akshay Kumar. Asrani worked relentlessly and even few days before he was admitted to hospital, he shot for the film even when he couldn’t stand on his feet.
Asrani was surprisingly on set and informed that he wasn’t able to walk due to an injury. “So I thought I’d not shoot, but he told me, ‘Don’t avoid me, I will come. Just give me one day.’ And rightly so, he was on the set the next day. He couldn’t walk, so we had a chair for him in between shots. But the moment you said action, he was a different man, performing so well, with no signs of pain or discomfort,” Priyadarshan told Indian Today.
Akshay Kumar couldn’t sleep after Asrani’s demise
Akshay Kumar who posted a heartfelt tribute for the veteran actor on X told Priyadarshan he couldn’t sleep after his demise.
“Priyan, I have done two films with him and been with him for 35 to 45 days every day. Now I am feeling very [heartbroken], I can’t sleep because I am feeling very bad.’ Honestly, you should see the scenes with Akshay and him in ‘Bhoot Bangla’. They both have done a fantastic job,” said the director.
“Speechless with grief at the passing of Asrani ji. We had just shared the warmest of hugs just a week back at the shoot of Haiwaan,” wrote Akshay.
“Bahot pyare insaan the (he was a lovely person)…he had the most legendary comic timing. From all my cult films Hera Pheri to Bhagam Bhag to De Dana Dan, Welcome and now our unreleased Bhoot Bangla and Haiwaan…I had worked and learned so much from him. What an absolute loss to our industry. God bless you Asrani Sir, for giving us a million reasons to laugh. Om Shanti,” the actor added.
The actor with an incredible work ethic
Praising his incredible memory at 84, Priyan shared how Asrani could memorise an entire page of dialogues in a single reading.
The director told the portal how Asrani would rewrite his lines in his own handwriting before arriving on set. Priyadarshan said this was the hallmark of the ‘olden generation’ of actors. “They know the humour of poverty and a common man’s life. They were not born with a golden spoon, and not here to flaunt muscles,” he added.
About Asrani’s last two films
Haiwaan, a remake of Mohanlal’s 2016 film Oppam, stars Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in the main lead. The duo will be reuniting after 17 years. They were seen in 1994 hit Main Khiladi Tu Anari.
Both films were shot in just six months. The shoot of Bhooth Bangla, a horror comedy starring Akshay Kumar and Wamiqa Gabbi in main lead, wrapped up in May this year.
Despite being in unbearable physical pain and an injury that restricted his movement, Asrani completed both his films that will release on silver screen next year.