Akshay Kumar Depressed Over Asrani’s Death, Reveals Director Priyadarshan

The filmmaker says Akshay, who worked with Asrani on two films in 45 days, called him twice to share his shock and sorrow. The veteran actor’s positive advice and legendary humour on set created a profound bond with the superstar.

October 22, 2025: The sudden passing of veteran actor Govardhan Asrani at the age of 84 on Monday has sent shockwaves across Bollywood, particularly because the beloved star had been actively shooting up until a few days before his death.

Filmmaker Priyadarshan has now opened up about the profound impact of the loss, revealing that lead actor Akshay Kumar is deeply affected and confessed to being “depressed” by the sudden demise of his co-star.

Asrani, best known for his iconic role as the jailer in Sholay and his impeccable comic timing in over 300 films, was busy with the shoot of Priyadarshan’s upcoming film Haiwaan until last week. He will now appear posthumously in two films, Bhoot Bangla and Haiwaan, both of which star Akshay Kumar.

Akshay Kumar’s Emotional Reaction

In a recent interview with News 18, director Priyadarshan addressed the personal loss and the atmosphere on set. “Asrani sir used to bring a lot of positivity on set. He was a great man. It’s a personal loss for me. Very rarely do you meet people whose death affects you so much,” the filmmaker said.

Priyadarshan then shared the heartfelt reaction of his leading man. “Akshay Kumar called me twice. He said that he feels he’s in depression as he was working with Asrani sir for the past 40-45 days in two films. He would give Akshay a lot of advice.”

The director further revealed that Asrani’s mentorship extended to other actors on set, adding, “He also used to tell Rajpal (Yadav) about the mistakes he made in his life and how he shouldn’t make those.”

A Week After Their Last Hug

Hours after the news broke on Monday, Akshay Kumar had taken to social media to pen a moving tribute, recalling their recent interaction.

“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,” the actor wrote alongside a picture of the duo. He praised the late actor’s “legendary comic timing” and reflected on their long collaboration, which included cult hits like Hera Pheri, Bhagam Bhag, Welcome, and the two now-unreleased films, 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 concluded.

A Legend’s Legacy

An alumnus of FTII, Asrani began his career as a lead actor in Punjabi cinema before becoming an indispensable supporting actor in Bollywood. From his memorable dramatic turns in films like Abhimaan to establishing himself as a top comedian in the 70s and 80s, Asrani’s versatility left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. In recent years, he remained active, delighting audiences in small but key roles in films like Malamaal Weekly and Dhamaal. His death marks the end of an era for the industry he brightened for decades.