New Delhi: Legendary Indian actor Asrani died in 2025, but fans will see him one more time on the silver screen in Priyadarshan’s upcoming crime thriller, Haiwaan. The veteran actor will play a security guard in the film.
The film also reunites Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after the 2008 action drama Tashan.
On 4 September, Kumar shared a scene from the upcoming film featuring Asrani and Sharib Hashmi, who plays a cop, indulging in comic banter.
“My good fortune that I got to work with this legend and see him give his last ever shot in Haiwaan. Miss you, Asrani ji… There can be no one like you,” Akshay wrote.
In the clip, when Hashmi’s character asks Asrani if he is married, he replies, “Yeah, I have been married three or four times.”
Haiwaan also includes Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Saiyami Kher, with a rumoured cameo by Malayalam actor Mohanlal. The film is an adaptation of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam film Oppam, in which Mohanlal played the lead. In Haiwaan, Khan takes on Mohanlal’s role, while Kumar plays the character portrayed by P Samuthirakani in the original. Oppam became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of the year.
Asrani worked in more than 350 films. He got his first break in Hindi films playing the friend of actor Biswajeet in Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan (1967).
Directors such as Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Atma Ram and Gulzar repeatedly cast him during the period between 1971 and 1974. In 1974, Asrani directed his first Gujarati film, starring himself as the hero, and featured the song ‘Hoo Amdavad No Rikshawalo’, sung by Kishore Kumar.
In the 2000s, Asrani appeared in several films, including Hera Pheri (2000), Chup Chup Ke (2006), Hulchul (2004), Deewane Huye Paagal (2005), Garam Masala (2005), Dhamaal (2007), Malamaal Weekly (2006), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), De Dana Dan (2009), Bol Bachchan (2012) and Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal (2012). He also appeared in a serious role in Kyun Ki (2005), and remained an integral part of comedies by Sajid Nadiadwala and Priyadarshan after 2000.
Haiwaan will mark the final film of Asrani’s six-decade career, releasing on 11 September.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)