Bhubaneswar, Oct. 20 -- Renowned Bollywood actor Govardhan Asrani, fondly known simply as Asrani, passed away on today evening around 4 PM after a prolonged illness. He was a native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, and one of the most beloved and versatile comic actors in Indian cinema. His passing marks the end of a glorious chapter in Hindi film history that spanned over five decades.

Born in 1940 in Jaipur, Asrani's passion for acting led him to join the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, where he honed his craft before stepping into Bollywood in the mid-1960s. His early performances in films like Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Parichay established him as a talented performer capable of both humour and emotion.

However, it was his...