Mumbai: These lines of Allama Iqbal are derived from the life of Asrani. Veteran Indian film and theater artist Govardhan Asrani passed away. This veteran artist, who breathed his last at the age of 84, was popular and famous in every age group. Even today, the iconic dialogue ‘We are jailers of the British era’ from the decades old film Sholay spreads a smile on millions of people. Now that Asrani is no more with us, his manager Babu Bhai Theeba has shared something that makes his fans emotional as well as inspiring.
In his last farewell he wants to go like a common man.
In fact, Asrani is an example of how simply a man can live his life even after touching the heights of fame and all the lines of success. Manager Babu Bhai Thiba told that Asrani used to say that in his last farewell, he wants to go like a common man. Another veteran artist, who may be 15 years younger than Asrani, needs no introduction, he has also considered Asrani’s words as inspiration. We all should know this incident related to Asrani’s life, so that in the times to come, this story continues to shine like a beam of light in the lives of crores of people.
Gratitude for the sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Modi
Recalling his experiences with Asrani, manager Babu Bhai said that he had been with him for more than two decades. Babu Bhai said, ‘I have learned a lot from him in these 20 years. He inspired me to become a better person. On behalf of the Asrani family, I would also like to thank Prime Minister Modi for the sentiments expressed through X. I want to thank everyone who remembered him. Asrani Saheb will always be in our memories. The way the audience appreciated him will always be memorable.
Asrani wanted to leave the world silently
Manager Babu Bhai Thiba said, ‘Asrani Saheb had told me and his wife Manju that he is a very ordinary person and wants to depart from this world like a common man. He did not want any extravagance like the farewell given to film stars. He had said, ‘Just as I have lived my life with peace and simplicity, I want to bid farewell in the same way.’ That’s why we performed his last rites privately.
The star has merged into Panchatatva, people associated with the silver screen don’t even know!
Let us tell you that on October 20, when the country was immersed in the celebrations of Diwali, the news of Asrani’s death came to light late in the evening. This news became public when his family informed about it after performing his last rites. Even celebrities associated with the film industry were not aware of his demise until after the cremation. The next morning of his death, many people including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah expressed condolences.
Was not feeling well…struggle with death lasted for four days
Apart from revealing the reason for the silent funeral, Babu Bhai also revealed that the veteran actor was admitted to the Bharatiya Arogya Nidhi Hospital in Juhu, Mumbai, four days before his demise. He said, ‘He was feeling weak for 15 days. Four days ago, he visited the doctor due to severe difficulty in breathing. After medical advice, he was admitted to the hospital and we had to cancel the shoot. Initially, there were signs of improvement, but his condition deteriorated on the third day. He died on the fourth day. It is noteworthy that Asrani will be seen on screen for the last time in the films ‘Bhoot Bangla’ and ‘Haivaan’. His films will be released next year.
Annu Kapoor called Asrani’s thoughts an inspiration
Noted actor, director and TV personality Annu Kapoor mentioned Asrani’s wish for a peaceful and quiet departure from this world and said that if his demise were to happen during a festival or major national event, he himself would want a similar peaceful departure. Kapoor said, ‘This wish of his inspired me too…when the time comes for me to check out from the hotel called Iss Duniya and that date or time is related to any national festival or celebration…like 15th August or 26th January or Diwali, Holi, Eid…my rites should also be performed secretly. I don’t want to trouble anyone…I don’t want to live as a burden in this world.