Asrani faced ‘lowest phase’ after success of Sholay, Bollywood friends he ‘drank with’ refused his film: ‘People are waiting to pull you down’

Asrani turned director a couple of years after his biggest hit, Sholay, but his peers refused to star in his directorial venture.

Asrani passed away at 84. (Photo: Express Archives)

Late actor Asrani, who was best known for his work in Sholay, appeared in many comedic roles through his career of over six decades in the movies. While Asrani appeared in many diverse roles over the years, it was his work in comedic roles that gained a lot of attention. And, as it happens in mainstream Hindi cinema, Asrani was typecast as a comedic hero, even though he had a lot more to offer. Since Asrani was usually cast only in supporting roles, he tried to create opportunities for himself by turning director. In 1977, Asrani turned director with Chala Murari Hero Banne, but the journey was far tougher than he could have imagined. In an earlier interview, the actor said that he hit his “lowest phase” when he was trying to make this film.

In a 2018 chat with Filmfare, Asrani shared that while he shared close friendships with many leading stars of the time, none of them agreed to work in his film, which left him heartbroken. “I hit my lowest phase when I wanted to direct Chala Murari Hero Banne (1977). I found no takers. Those very friends with whom I shared drinks didn’t want to do my film. I was okay as a co-actor not as a director. They started looking for escape routes,” he shared.

ALSO READ | ‘I was one of bride’s brothers at Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya’s wedding’: How Asrani and his student Jaya Bachchan forged a lifelong bond

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Asrani with actor Rajesh Khanna. (Photo: Express Archives)

Asrani recalled them making excuses and saying, “It’s a good script but work on it.” He believed that this was an ego issue for lead actors as they did not want to take orders from someone who was apparently less significant than them in a mainstream film. “Actually, heroes suffer from a complex – he’s a comedian, why take orders from him?” he said explaining what must have been the hindrance for them.

Asrani shared in the same chat that he even spoke to producer Gulshan Rai, who had produced Deewaar and Trishul, about the same and got some “honest advice.” He said, ‘The day you announce yourself as a director that day you will lose your credibility as an actor. Take the examples of IS Johar, Mehmood, Johny Walker, Deven Varma.’ I understood,” he said. However, he did not give up and went ahead with his film, before he eventually returned to acting. But, this entire experience left him with a bitter aftertaste as he realised that socialising with peers after work did not build any relationships, but was, in fact, a waste of time.

Asrani with actor Dharmendra. (Photo: Express Archives)

“I realised the futility of socialising with your peers after work. You are with each other the whole day. Then you sit for drinks where you end up gossiping. It’s a waste of time and energy. The next day you have to see them again. You sap your creative energies by interacting too much. I realised this late but by then I had wasted many years. This is a cutthroat world. People are waiting to pull you down. So stay professional,” he said.

Chala Murari Hero Banne starred Asrani in the lead role with Bindiya Goswami playing his love interest. Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Sunil Dutt, Hema Malini, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor had cameos in the film.

Asrani passed away on Monday. He was 84.

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