When Bollywood setbacks saw Asrani return to FTII and find purpose in teaching

Govardhan Asrani graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India in 1966, one of its earliest alumni who would help shape its reputation in the years to come.

Govardhan Asrani had spoken about the difficult journey that followed his FTII days. (Source: Express Photo)

The young lad from Jaipur—a trained actor who had worked as a voice artist at All India Radio—came to Mumbai with dreams of making it in one of the world’s biggest and most mercurial film industries. Destiny favoured him when he met eminent filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who inspired him to join the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. FTII was set up by the Indian government on the premises of the erstwhile Prabhat Studios, Govardhan Asrani, who was known to film buffs simply as Asrani, would graduate from FTII in 1966–one of its earliest alumni who would help shape its reputation in those nascent years.

On October 20, FTII bowed its head to the legend who had passed away after a lengthy illness at 84. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of veteran actor, teacher, and distinguished FTII alumnus Mr. Govardhan Asrani. Our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and countless admirers. May his soul rest in peace,” an official statement from the institute that is, today, among the top of its kind in the world, said.

FTII director Dhiraj Singh paid tribute on Tuesday the way the late performer would have appreciated – by directing social media’s attention to a “playlist of Asrani Sir’s FTII films”. The link that Singh shared gave viewers free access to such hidden gems as Masoom, a 1964 student production in which Asrani plays a dreamy postman who has to deliver a telegram at a wedding ceremony. In Search of God, a 1965 film, has Asrani among a motley group of characters—a mad preacher, two drunkards, a beggar, a little boy and an old woman—who are pursuing a mirage of the supreme deity who will save them.

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By drawing attention to the films, Singh offered a glimpse into some of the influences that built Asrani’s formidable talent. At FTII, Asrani got a chance to act for Adoor Gopalkrishnan in a student film and Ritwik Ghatak in a staff film that was designed to train the students of the acting course.

FTII: a turning point

Asrani had spoken about the difficult journey that followed his FTII days. He struggled in Bollywood and, ultimately, returned to FTII to teach and make ends meet. Once again, FTII proved to be a turning point for the actor. Mukherjee, who was a guest faculty at FTII, contacted Asrani because he wanted to cast another student, Jaya Bhaduri, now Bachchan, in a film, Guddi. Bhaduri had shown the world her potential in a student film. Asrani not only introduced Mukherjee and Bhaduri but also auditioned for a part in Guddi. Both Bhaduri and Asrani were cast in the film–cementing their place in film history.

Asrani himself had recounted this incident in an interview, albeit with a twist. He had said that he had been trying hard to find work in films for two years. “Indira Gandhi, then the I&B minister, came to FTII, and we complained to her about how nobody was giving us a chance. She came to Mumbai and spoke to producers about us. It was after that that films started to come in for us. Jaya Bhaduri and I were cast in Guddi,” he said.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is interested in the climate crisis and sustainability. She has written extensively on social trends, heritage, theatre and startups. She has worked with major news organizations such as Hindustan Times, The Times of India and Mint. ... Read More

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