Veteran Bollywood actor and comedian Govardhan Asrani, popularly known as Asrani, passed away on Monday at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tribute to the late actor, calling him “a gifted entertainer and a truly versatile artist”.

PM Modi’s Condolence Message

Taking to social media, Prime Minister Modi expressed grief over Asrani’s demise, writing, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Govardhan Asrani Ji. A gifted entertainer and a truly versatile artist, he entertained audiences across generations. He particularly added joy and laughter to countless lives through his unforgettable performances. His contribution to Indian cinema will always be cherished. My condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”

A Career Spanning Over Six Decades

Asrani’s career stretched over 60 years, during which he featured in more than 300 films across Hindi and Gujarati cinema. He made his debut in 1967 with Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan, where he played the friend of actor Biswajeet. He went on to act in several hit films including Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Bawarchi, Mere Apne, Anamika, Abhimaan, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Dhamaal.

A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Asrani was equally acclaimed for his comic timing and serious performances. His portrayal of the eccentric jailer in Sholay remains one of Indian cinema’s most iconic comic roles, remembered for his famous dialogue, “Hum Angrezon ke zamane ke jailer hain.”

Remembering A Legend Of Laughter

Over the decades, Asrani became a familiar face in both mainstream and parallel cinema, earning admiration for his ability to switch seamlessly between humor and drama. His last appearance was in Haiwaan, featuring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.

As fans and film personalities across the nation pay tribute, Asrani’s legacy continues to inspire generations of artists and entertainers.

Celebrated singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg tragically passed away in Singapore on Friday following a freak scuba diving accident. The 52-year-old artiste, who was in the island nation to perform at the North East India Festival, was declared dead at Singapore General Hospital around 2:30 PM.

Festival organisers confirmed his passing in a statement, saying the team was unaware that the singer had gone on a private yacht outing with members of the Assamese community before the mishap. “We later learned that a few members of the local Assamese community had taken him on a yacht visit, of which we had no prior knowledge,” the organisers said, adding that the event stands cancelled as a mark of respect.

The statement further noted that the team was engaged in meetings with Singaporean industrialists when they were informed of Garg’s accident by his manager. “On receiving the news, our team rushed immediately to the hospital and has since been working closely with the High Commission to complete the necessary procedures,” it said.

A Monumental Loss For Assam And Beyond

Zubeen Garg was widely regarded as one of Assam’s most influential cultural figures, with a body of work spanning Assamese, Bengali and Hindi music. His soulful track “Ya Ali” from the film Gangster catapulted him to national fame, while songs like “Dil Tu Hi Bataa” from Krrish 3 cemented his popularity across India.

Beyond Bollywood, Garg made invaluable contributions to Assamese cinema as a singer, actor and director, with acclaimed works such as Kanchanjunga, Mission China, Dinabandhu and Mon Jai.

In 2022, Garg had survived a health scare after collapsing at a resort in Dibrugarh, Assam, and was treated for a head injury in Guwahati.

The organisers of the North East India Festival described his passing as an “irreparable loss,” adding, “This is a monumental loss, and words cannot express the depth of our grief. We are devastated and pray for the departed soul of Zubeen Garg. Om Shanti.”

Bollywood comedian Kapil Sharma has come under the radar of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) after the use of the term Bombay instead of Mumbai on his Netflix show The Great Indian Kapil Show. MNS spokesperson Ameya Khopkar issued a warning, stating that the usage of the city’s former name could hurt the sentiments of its residents and demanded that the correct name, Mumbai, be used.

The controversy arose during an episode featuring actress Huma Qureshi, her brother Saqib Saleem, and the Shetty sisters. While talking about her bond with Saqib, Qureshi referred to the city as Bombay, explaining that she felt at home with him despite not being originally from the city. This comment drew criticism from the MNS, who have historically been vocal about protecting the identity and pride of Mumbai.

In a post on X, Khopkar stated in Marathi, that even though 30 years have passed since Bombay was officially renamed Mumbai, the term Bombay is still frequently used by celebrity guests on The Kapil Sharma Show, Delhi-based Rajya Sabha MPs, show anchors, and in many Hindi films. He noted that the name change was officially recognized by the Maharashtra government in 1995 and by the Central Government in 1996, preceding similar renamings in other major cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.

Khopkar further emphasized the seriousness of the matter during a media interaction in Mumbai. He stated that Sharma had been working in Mumbai for many years and described the city as his land of work. He added that the people of Mumbai admire him and watch his shows, and warned that the city and its residents should not be insulted, cautioning Sharma against repeating the mistake.

He added that if the reference had been made unintentionally, the mistake should be corrected immediately. Khopkar stated that all guests on the show, including celebrities and the host, should be informed in advance to refer to the city as Mumbai. He warned that if this is not followed, the MNS would launch a strong agitation.

The Great Indian Kapil Show has recently been renewed for a third season. Its first two seasons, comprising 13 episodes each, premiered in 2024, featuring a mix of Bollywood celebrities and entertainers. The controversy marks one of the few instances where the city’s political groups have publicly intervened over the naming of Mumbai on popular entertainment platforms.