Asrani began to learn acting from Sahitya Kalbhai Thakkar from 1960 to 1962. In 1962, he travelled to
Mumbai to seek opportunities to act. In 1963, on an accidental meeting with
Kishore Sahu and
Hrishikesh Mukherjee, they advised him to learn acting professionally. In 1964 Asrani joined the
Film Institute in
Pune and finished his course in 1966. He got his first break in Hindi films playing the friend of actor
Biswajeet in the film
Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan in 1967. In the film institute he had impressed many and made his acting break as a hero in 1967 with a Gujarati movie opposite budding actress Waheeda (not
Waheeda Rahman; the Hindi actress). He acted in four other movies, mainly as actor or supporting actor, in Gujarati from 1967 to 1969. He did not get many offers from the Hindi film industry between 1967 and 1969. His old advisor,
Hrishikesh Mukherjee, then gave him the role of supporting actor in the film
Satyakam in 1969. He got noticed then in the film
Mere Apne. From 1971, he started getting more offers as the main comedian in films or as the close friend of the lead actor. Directors like Mukherjee, Atma Ram, and
Gulzar repeatedly cast him in the period 1971–1974, and his work got noticed through these films. These roles set the tone for a number of supporting and comic roles in his career. In the 1970s his demand was at its peak as he appeared in 101 films from 1970 to 1979. Though initially
Rajesh Khanna and Asrani had met only on the sets of
Bawarchi, they became close friends after
Namak Haraam, after which for comic roles Khanna insisted the producers and directors make Asrani a part of his films. Asrani worked in 25 films with Khanna from 1972 to 1991, from
Bawarchi (1972) to
Ghar Parivaar (1991). His most memorable works as supporting actor from 1970 to 1979 are in
Mere Apne,
Koshish,
Bawarchi,
Parichay,
Abhimaan,
Mehbooba,
Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein,
Do Ladke Dono Kadke and
Bandish. He played the lead hero in
Chala Murari Hero Banne, a Hindi film he wrote and directed in 1977. His notable roles as a comedian from the 1970s are in
Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar,
Roti,
Prem Nagar,
Chupke Chupke,
Chhoti Si Baat,
Rafoo Chakkar,
Sholay,
Balika Badhu,
Fakira,
Anurodh,
Chhailla Babu,
Charas,
Phaansi,
Dillagi,
Heeralal Pannalal,
Pati Patni Aur Woh and
Hamare Tumhare. Though he had played the supporting character in many films, he played a serious role for the first time in
Khoon Pasina. He did off beat roles like that of the evil brother's role in
Koshish (1972), the double role of a hippie and villager in
L. V. Prasad's
Bidaai (1974), a
beedi and
ganji sporting wastrel in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's
Chaitali (1975), a romantic in
B. R. Chopra's
Nikaah (1982) who sang a
qawwali like yesteryear actor Yakub and played a pimp in
K. S. Prakash Rao's
Prem Nagar (1974).Later he played
antagonist roles in
Ab Kya Hoga and
Teri Meherbaniyan. He was a very popular public figure in the 1970s and was one of Rajesh Khanna's close friends. He became a regular feature in films produced by
D. Ramanaidu and those movies directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, B. R. Chopra,
K. Bapaiah,
Narayana Rao Dasari,
K. Raghavendra Rao,
Basu Chatterjee in 1972 to 1992. He won the
Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for his performances in
Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar in 1974 and for
Balika Badhu in 1977. In 1974, Asrani directed his first movie in Gujarati with himself as the hero, and the song "Hu Amdavad No Rikshawalo" sung by
Kishore Kumar was picturised on Asrani. Songs picturised on Asrani and sung by Kishore in Hindi are "Achcha Chaloji Baba Maaf Kardo" from
Hamare Tumhare, "Pyar Main Karoonga" from
Yeh Kaisa Insaaf. "Mannu Bhai Motor Chali Pam" was sung by him with Kishore Kumar and was picturised on
Rishi Kapoor and him, in
Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan in 1978. D. Ramanaidu gave a pivotal role to Asrani in
Taqdeerwala in 1995 and once again comedy movies were being made from there on. Asrani started getting good roles in films directed by David Dhawan and Priyadarshan from 1993 until 2012. His most memorable performances as a comedian from the 1990s are in
Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar,
Gardish,
Taqdeerwala,
Gharwali Baharwali,
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and
Hero Hindustani. The 2000s saw Asrani in a number of films like
Hera Pheri,
Chup Chup Ke,
Hulchul,
Deewane Huye Paagal,
Garam Masala,
Dhamaal,
Malamaal Weekly,
Bhagam Bhag,
Bhool Bhulaiyaa,
De Dana Dan,
Bol Bachchan and
Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal. He appeared in a serious role in
Kyun Ki. He was an integral part of comedies by
Sajid Nadiadwala and
Priyadarshan post-2000. Asrani in 2018 played the role of Mikesh's grandfather in the popular web series
Permanent Roommates. He also played the role of
Director General of Police (DGP) in the serial
Partners Trouble Ho Gayi Double. Asrani acted as
Narada in the 1985
Doordarshan TV serial
Natkhat Narad. Some of his co-stars were
Jayshree T. and
Vikram Gokhale. ==Death==