'The man who made India laugh'Tributes pour in for veteran Indian actor Asrani

Tributes are pouring in for Indian actor Govardhan Asrani, who died this week at the age of 84.

Asrani, popularly known by his last name, was suffering from a brief illness and died at a hospital in Mumbai city on Monday, his manager told BBC Hindi.

Over a career spanning more than 50 years, Asrani acted in more than 300 films, mostly in comic roles. One of his most memorable performances was in the 1975 blockbuster Sholay, in which he played an eccentric jailer.

"The one who brought smiles to everyone's faces, Asrani ji is no longer among us. His passing is an irreparable loss for both Hindi cinema and our hearts," his family said in a statement posted on the actor's social media account.

His final rites were performed on Monday with family members and close friends in attendance.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Asrani a "gifted entertainer" and "versatile artist".

"He particularly added joy and laughter to countless lives through his unforgettable performances. His contribution to Indian cinema will always be cherished," Modi wrote on X.

Asrani was born in 1941 in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. He began his career as a voice artist at the state-run All India Radio before studying acting at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in the 1960s.

He made his Hindi film debut in 1967, but it was his portrayal of a bumbling jailer - meant to be a parody of Adolf Hitler - in 1975's Sholay that brought him widespread fame.

In an interview with BBC Hindi earlier this year, Asrani recalled how he prepared for the role.

The film's writer duo Salim-Javed and director Ramesh Sippy told him that the jailer "thinks he is very smart but isn't", he said.

Asrani was a familiar face on TV shows aired on state broadcaster Doordarshan in the 1980s and 90s. He played the role of the Hindu sage Narad Muni in Natkhat Narad, a popular show in the 80s. He also directed several Hindi and Gujarati films.

The actor became synonymous with comic roles in mainstream films, ranging from subtle situational humour to exaggerated performances. But he believed he was more than just a comedian.

Speaking to BBC Hindi, Asrani said he was proud of the recognition he received for his comic timing but did not consider himself merely a "comedian", rather "an artist who finds truth in every role".

Through his career, Asrani worked with some of the biggest actors and directors of every era.

Some of his most iconic films include Chupke Chupke (1975), Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978) and Balika Badhu (1976) - a role that won him the Filmfare award for best comic actor.

Asrani occasionally broke away from his humorous image to portray darker, more complex roles in films such as Koshish (1972) and Chaitali (1975).

As news of his death broke, co-workers paid their tributes and shared memories of working with him.

Mr Sippy, who directed Sholay, said Asrani would always be remembered for the role of the jailer, calling it the one he was born to play.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar shared a photo of himself with Asrani, recalling the actor's 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," he wrote on X.

Singer Adnan Sami, who worked with Asrani in one of his music videos, shared a personal memory of the actor's generosity and charm.

"I had the honour of working and spending time with him when I requested him to appear in my music video of Lift Karadey (a 1997 song) and I too wanted him to reenact his legendary 'Jailor' character for which he generously agreed," he wrote.