‘Asrani said I am an aam aadmi, don’t want a star’s funeral’: Manager of decades reveals why actor’s death wasn’t announced, calls him a ‘simple man’

The passing of the legendary Asrani has left a deep void, both in the hearts of his fans and in the broader ecosystem of Bollywood. He was a veteran whose work spanned five decades, entertaining generations of audiences. Everyone has their own story and performance to remember the late actor by. Some loved him for his now-infamous role as the jailer in Sholay, others remember him for films like Abhimaan and Chhoti Si Baat, while the current generation adores him for his comedic touches in Priyadarshan’s films.

What also caught everyone’s attention was that, after his passing, his last rites were held privately with close family, without any media coverage. His manager, Babu Bhai Tibha, told ANI why this was done, explaining that it was the final wish of the late legend: “Asrani saab had told me, and also told his wife Manju ji, that he is a very simple person and wants to leave this world like an ordinary man. So when the time comes for him to go, he does not want any noise or fanfare, nothing like what happens with film stars. Only after his last rites are completed should everything be announced, and everyone informed, because just as he lived his life with simplicity, he wanted to leave the world in the same way. That’s why we informed everyone only after his final rites.”

Speaking further about his humble and down-to-earth nature despite his popularity, his manager said: “He never asked for a separate van, never asked for a separate room. Whatever the producers provided, within his capacity, whatever facilities were offered, he was happy with that. I used to tell him often that you have star status, you have done over 300 films, and we should charge more for a project, but he would always interrupt and say no, adding that he had to comply with the producer’s budget and be content with whatever facilities were given. In fact, he never ordered food from outside; whatever the production provided to others, he would have the same, and he was happy with that. He never threw any star tantrums or said anything that would hurt a producer.”

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His manager also revealed that Asrani had been a bit unwell for the last 15 days. In the final four days, he reported breathing problems, following which he was admitted to a hospital in Juhu, where he passed away. At the time, he was filming Priyadarshan’s Haiwaan, co-starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. This will be his last film, along with another Priyadarshan project, Bhoot Bangla, where he shared the screen with Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar.