Asrani birth anniversary: Lesser known facts about the late and legendary 'Ikkis' and 'Sholay' actor

Today marks the first birth anniversary of the legendary late actor Asrani, a man whose comedic timing and acting performances have left an unforgettable impact on audiences and the film industry. Primarily known for outstanding performance in the superhit movie ‘Sholay’. The actor managed to make an entire generation smile for five decades. He has brought smiles to millions for over five decades. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the lesser-known facts about him.

Asrani was born on New Year’s Day in 1941, His family, a middle-class Sindhi Hindu household, moved to Jaipur due to partitions. His father started a carpet business there, hoping his son would follow and join. However, Asrani’s passion for the arts led him away from the family business and toward one of the India most prestigious Film and Television Institute of India, setting the stage for his legendary career in Mumbai.

Though ‘Sholay’ had superstars like Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, Asrani stole the show with his brief, signature performance. As the "angrezon ke zamane ke jailor hain," his unique sets of madness and dialogues have become some of the most parodied figures in the world of Bollywood. 'Sholay' come out in 1975 and solidified Asrani as a comedic genius, who could make a small role become an all-time treasure.

Asrani shared a special professional and personal bond with superstar Rajesh Khanna. The friendship that blossomed between them on the sets of the classic film, 'Bawarchi' was enough to lead a prolific partnership. Between 1972 and 1991, they were seen in approximately 25 movies together. This duo became a staple for audiences, mixing Khanna’s superstardom with Asrani’s immaculate timing, creating a cinematic chemistry that remains a highlight of the golden era of Bollywood.

Many people recognize his face, though not many can associate the face with voice on the microphone. Beyond acting, the actor demonstrated his his musical talent by singing in some movies. His most standout performance with Kishore Kumar for the song "Mannu Bhai Motor Chali Pam" from 'Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan,’ released in 1978.

With over 50 years of acting experience under his belt, along with more than 300 movies Asrani was a true giant of the industry. Some of his best movies are ‘Chupke Chupke’, ‘Abhimaan’, ‘Dulhe Raja’, ‘Kalabaaz’, ‘Salaam Memsaab’, ‘The Burning Train’, ‘Ek Hi Bhool’, ‘Nikaah’, ‘Dulhe Raja’, ‘International Khildi’, and ‘Hero Hindustani’