India, Oct. 21 -- A few months ago in a political rally in Amravati, 84-year-old Asrani made an entry on stage, along with actor Sonu Sood, as the iconic jailer of Sholay enthralling the crowds. "Who would have thought an octogenarian would exude such energy. He brought the house down," said Sood.

Asrani died on Monday after a brief illness, reported PTI.

Asrani's Bollywood career spanned over five decades. He has played character roles, comedic roles and supporting roles; but he was best known for playing the "Angrezon ke zamane ka jailor" in Sholay. In the 1975 film, which still evokes laughter, writers Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar modelled the character after Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator.

Born Govardhan Asrani on January 1, ...