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| Johnny Walker |
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| Written by Radhika Desai |
 Date of Birth
11 November 1926, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India (or is it 15th May 1923? Both dates found on net. can someone confirm)
Date of Death
29 July 2003, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Birth Name
Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi
Mini Biography
One of the earliest and best-loved comedians of Indian Cinema, Johnny Walker brought smiles and amusement to all whenever he was on film.
Christening himself after the famous Scotch whisky, Walker would drive audiences wild with laughter with his squeaky voice, pencil-thin moustache and his now-classic drunken antics. Everyone, cast, crew and audience alike, loved his iconic image of the hero's comic and often drunk sidekick, who would cause comedy to occur in the film. Ironically, his drunken image was a stark contrast to his real-life persona, which was that of a sober and humble soul.
He was known for his honesty, commitment and punctuality on sets. He was very fond of poetry too. He could recall hundreds of `ashaars' to suit all ccasions. A thorough gentleman, he would keep everyone in good humour through his jokes.
Anyone who’s seen Hindi movies of the ‘50s and ‘60s would remember Johnny Walker in several films enacting a particular scene. You would find him at a sweet meat shop trying out one mithai after another, each time enjoying it for its freshness or flavor or both. After he has his fill of the mithai, he quietly slinks away without paying for anything he eats. His dialog during this sequence, his expressions and his andaaz make him a scene stealer and it must be very few people who cannot remember Johnny Walker for his ability to evoke a laugh in us.
CAREER
Johnny Walker is the screen name of an Indian movie comedian, who acted in over 300 movies. He was born on May 15, 1923 as Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi in Indore, India, the son of a mill worker. He did not find life easy; he was one of a family of fifteen members, out of which five relatives died young, and the mill where his father worked closed down, causing the family to come to Bombay. There Kazi tried his hand at several jobs, and eventually secured a post as a bus conductor in the B.E.S.T (Bombay Electric Supply and Transport) bus service. (He was posted mainly at Dadar bus depot, but worked on several routes.)
Kazi would often be seen working on the Dadar bus depot. He was issuing tickets as a B.E.S.T. bus conductor. But he was no ordinary bus conductor—in fact, he was a bus conductor with a difference. He was known to entertain his passengers with his tricks and skits while issuing them tickets. On one such work day, who should jump on to his bus but actor and scriptwriter Balraj Sahni. Sahni was at the time writing the script of the film Baazi (1951) and thought he was the best candidate for a comedian’s role in the film. He introduced 27-year-old Badruddin to Guru Dutt who asked him to perform the role of a drunken man.
As luck would have it, Badruddin did such a fantastic job that, pleased with his screen test, Guru Dutt gave him the name of Johnny Walker after the famous brand of Scotch whisky, though ironically, Badruddin was a complete teetollar. Dutt was so impressed by Kazi's performance as a drunk that he immediately wrote a role for him into his directorial film Baazi (1951).
His performance in Baazi (1951) was so well received that Walker and Dutt would later on work together in films. Dutt cast him in some of his own memorable films; Aar Paar (1954), Mr. & Mrs. ’55 (1955) and in 1956,some of Walker's most loved roles are Master the pickpocket in C.I.D. (1956) and the masseur Abdul Sattar in Pyaasa (1957).
Walker always had the best comic lines and the most popular and hummable tunes in Dutt's films.
From his entire career, Johnny is remembered most of all for his role in C.I.D in which he sang the famous song, Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan, a tribute to the citizens of this city. Another song picturized on him was Sar Jo Tera Chakra Jaye from Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa. This song was set to music when Guru Dutt and Johnny were in Calcutta before the shooting of this film could begin. While breakfasting at a roadside stall, they happened to witness a local masseur massaging a client’s head.Guru Dutt instructed Johnny to take a close look at them so that they could incorporate it at some time in one of their movies.
His friendship with Johnny Walker was so strong and deep that often the director would alter the script to accommodate Johnny. Dutt and Walker were also the best of friends and often went out on expeditions together, and on Dutt's suicide Walker was deeply shocked and grieved by the loss of his friend. In the next few years, he got only some bit roles to do.
With Guru Dutt's death, Johnny lost his source of information. He became less witty even in his personal life. By the fag end of his career, Johnny refused to accept films. "Earlier, comedians had a respectable position and an almost parallel role with the protagonist, now it is just to bring a touch of humour. I don't buy that," said this king of comedy in an interview to a channel a few months before he passed away.
After C.I.D., he acted in Chori Chori (1956), and the following year, he acted in Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa and B. R. Chopra’s Naya Daur.His popularity reached such heights that he got his own film, Johnny-Walker (1957)! He was also hired by other directors to act in their own films, the most notable of these being B.R. Chopra's Naya Daur (1957), Bimal Roy's Madhumati (1958) (the latter for which he won his first Filmfare Award), and K. Asif's Mughal-E-Azam (1960).
Madhumati was the last film he starred in the 50s and his next film was only five years later, titled Mere Mehboob. This was followed by Amardeep (1958), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Mughal-E-Azam (1960), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), Bees Saal Baad and Mere Mehboob (1963), Haseena Maan Jayegi and Shikar (1968), Anand (1971), Pratigya (1975), Shaan (1980).
The demand of the time had changed and there was no room anymore for Johnny’s brand of humor.
He kept working in films, though, most notably in Shikar (1968), for which he won his second and final Filmfare Award; and in Anand (1971), where he was unusually seen in a serious role and even more unusually excelled in it, showing the remarkable talent he still held.
His last role was as a make-up artist in Kamal Hassan's Chachi 420 (1997). He had performed at the request of poet/director/writer Gulzar who had scripted that movie. He was, naturally, seen with a bottle of alcohol! It was a fitting curtain call for Bollywood's original king of comedy...
In view of the comedian's high popularity, in the 1950s producers would insist that a movie song be centered around Johnny. Johnny's popularity began to wane in the 1960s with the rise of actor/comedian Mehmood. "Filmmakers were no longer interested in my kind of clean comedies, and I thought it's time for me to bid goodbye," he once later said.
Family life
Johnny met his ladylove, Noorjahan, lovingly called Noor on the sets of Guru Dutt's film Mr. and Mrs. 55. She was the younger sister of actress Shakeela. They worked in three films together.
Their marriage was no less than a scene from a thriller. Those were the days of Goa Bandh. Curfew was on. No one could venture out of the house. The famous actress Shammi was a good friend of both. "They borrowed my car to go round the city. They flashed a white flag not to be prevented by men at guard. Noor's family was against this marriage. So she quietly came out of her home without telling anyone, nikah was solemnised at Johnny's home," and the very next day the man was back on his sets.
A few days later, the whole Mumbai got wind of it and they both hosted a gala reception.
While shooting for `Musafirkhana' in Kolkata, he would quietly steal time to talk to her in Mumbai," recalls this "great fan" of Walker.
Johnny and Noor had three daughters: Kausar, Tasneem, and Firdaus; and three sons: Nazim, Kazim, and Nasir. Nasir is a well-known movie and TV actor.
Johnny Walker was a very humble and God-fearing man, who kept a low profile even at the peak of his career.
Tributes
* "Johnny Walker’s impeccable style lent a new meaning and respectability to the genre of comedy in Indian cinema," said Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the
then Prime Minister of India, on Johnny's death.
* "Every time there was a function on Independence Day or Republic Day, I was asked to get all these people to perform. [Indian Prime Minister] Pandit Jawarlal Nehru would request especially for Johnny Walker and Mukri. I could get them as they were my friends. Today that he is no more. I miss him," remarked Indian actor Dilip Kumar on Johnny's demise.
Trivia
Screen name taken from Johnny Walker whiskey.
He met his wife Noor on the sets of Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955).
Guru Dutt would often rewrite his film's scripts to create a role for Walker.
Although he cultivated the image of a drunkard, in real life he was a devout Muslim and a strict teetotaller, and never touched a drop of alcohol.
Personal Quotes
About his relationship with Guru Dutt: He used to tell me - Here's your scene, your dialogue. If you can do better, go ahead. In every rehearsal I would come up with something new. Guru Dutt used to love that. He used to look at everyone on the sets and see if the light boys, the cameraman, the assistants were laughing at my dialogues. Guru Dutt then had an assistant to write down whatever I said in the rehearsals. That's how we worked.
Filmography
1. Chachi 420 – Joseph (as Johny Walker) 1998 2. Game – Jaggu 1993 3. Sapnon Ka Mandir – Actor 1991 4. The Perfect Murder – Jain 1988 5. Sagar Sangam – Insp. Shamsher Singh 1988 6. Mera Karam Mera Dharam – Taraknath 1987 7. Pahunchey Huwe Log – Director 1986 8. We Two – Michael (as Johny Walker) 1985 9. Bindiya Chamkegi – Rahim 1984 10. Meraa Dost Meraa Dushman – Mulayam Singh 1984 11. Mazdoor – Govinda 1983 12. Rishta Kagaz Ka – Hanibhai 1983 13. Shaan – Chacha 1980 14. Khel Khilari Ka – Khairatilal (as Johny Walker) 1977 15. Farishta Ya Qatil – Actor 1977 16. Bundal Baaz – Suleiman M.A. 1976 17. Santan – Actor 1976 18. Pratiggya – Thekedhaar 1975 19. Zakhmee – Johny (as Johny Walker) 1975 20. Sewak – Actor 1975 21. Teri Meri Ik Jindri – Sadhu (Zaildara) 1975 22. Vandana – Actor 1975 23. Badla – Johny Farbanda 1974 24. Dawat – Actor 1974 25. Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam – Hakeem (Medicine Man) 1974 26. Imaan – Actor 1974 27. Jurm Aur Sazaa – Actor 1974 28. Madhosh – Actor 1974 29. Aarop – Dhondudada 1973 30. Pyaar Ka Rishta – Actor 1973 31. Ek Bechara – Actor 1972 32. Ek Hasina Do Diwane – Actor 1972 33. Raja Jani – Imartilal 1972 34. Yeh Gulistan Hamara – Tuna’s Boyfriend 1972 35. Anand – Issabhai Suratwala/Muralilal #3 (Guest Appearance) 1971 36. Dushmun – Panditji (Guest Appearance) 1971 37. Hungama – Actor 1971 38. Memsaab – Ramkhilavan 1971 39. Sanjog – Mansukh 1971 40. Gopi – Ramu 1970 41. Two Roads – Special Guest 1969 42. Aadmi Aur Insaan – Gulam Rasool 1969 43. Nanha Farishta – Actor 1969 44. Pyar Ka Sapna – Gupte (as Johny Walker) 1969 45. Sachaai – Chaman (as Jhony Walkar) 1969 46. Duniya – James Bond of India #009 1968 47. Baazi – Actor 1968 48. Dil Aur Mohabbat – Sampat 1968 49. Haseena Maan Jayegi – Ghasitaram Aashiq 1968 50. Kahin Din Kahin Raat – Actor 1968 51. Mere Huzoor – Pyarelal Bedar 1968 52. Shikar – Teju 1968 53. Bahu Begum – Actor 1967 54. Bride for a Night – Bansi 1967 55. The Net – Actor 1967 56. Nawab Sirazuddaula – Actor 1967 57. Night in London – Actor 1967 58. Palki – Sultan (as Johny Walker) 1967 59. Wahan Ke Log – Actor 1967 60. Suraj – Bhola 1966 61. Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi – Chunnilal ‘Chunni’ 1966 62. Dil Diya Dard Liya – Murlidhar (as Johny Walker) 1966 63. Mischief – Divan Chowdhary (as Johny Walker) 1966 64. Pati Patni – Padampath 1966 65. Preet Na Jane Reet – Actor 1966 66. Sagaai – Actor 1966 67. Bombay Race Course – Actor 1965 68. Door Ki Awaaz – Motilal ‘Moti’ D. Rai 1964 69. Shehnai – Actor 1964 70. Ghar Basake Dekho – Actor 1963 71. Mere Mehboob – Actor (as Johnny Walkar) 1963 72. Phool Bane Angarey – Actor 1963 73. Pyar Ka Bandhan – Bateshar (as Johny Walker) 1963 74. Ustadon Ke Ustad – Babu 1963 75. Aashiq – Actor 1962 76. Baat Ek Raat Ki – C.I. Dholakia/’C.I.D.’ 1962 77. Chhote Nawab – Captain Kanchan 1961 78. Suhag Sindoor – Professor Rasik Rasiya 1961 79. Wanted – Actor 1961 80. Mughal-E-Azam – Actor 1960 81. Spring – Billoo Sanichar 1960 82. Chaudhvin Ka Chand – Mirza Masaraddik Shaiza 1960 83. Ek Phool Char Kaante – Uncle – Rock ‘N Roll Fanatic 1960 84. Bhai-Bahen – Johnny – Jockey 1959 85. Black Cat – Popat 1959 86. Kaagaz Ke Phool – Rocky 1959 87. Paigham – Nandu 1959 88. Pehli Raat – Actor 1959 89. Satta Bazaar – Jagat 1959 90. Zara Bachke – Actor 1959 91. 12 O’Clock – Motilal Sharma ‘Moti’ 1958 92. Aakhri Dao – Popat Lal Shah 1958 93. Aji Bas Shukriya – Chandu 1958 94. Amar Deep – Ustad 1958 95. Chandan – Actor 1958 96. Detective – John Butler 1958 97. Homelife – Bankhe 1958 98. Khota Paisa – Actor 1958 99. Madhumati – Charandas (as Johny Walker) 1958 100. Criminal – Pyarelal 1958 101. Thirst – Abdul Sattar 1957 102. Changez Khan – Actor 1957 103. Ek-Saal – J.B. Pinto 1957 104. Gateway of India – Johnny Walker 1957 105. Johnny Walker – Actor 1957 106. Mai Baap – Actor 1957 107. Mr. X – Actor 1957 108. Naya Daur – Anjana (Photographer) 1957 109. Qaidi – Actor 1957 110. Anjaan – Badri 1956 111. Chhoo Mantar – Baijnath (Baiju) 1956 112. Chori Chori – Shayar 1956 113. C.I.D. – Master 1956 114. Justice – Actor 1956 115. Naya Andaz – Actor 1956 116. Rajdhani – Actor 1956 117. Samundari Daku – Actor 1956 118. Shrimati 420 – Actor 1956 119. Albeli – Actor 1955 120. Bahu – Actor 1955 121. Devdas – Chandramukhi’s patron 1955 122. Jashan – Actor 1955 123. Marine Drive – Johny 1955 124. Mast Qalandar – Actor 1955 125. Milap – Kalu 1955 126. Miss Coca Cola – Actor 1955 127. Mr. & Mrs. ’55 – Johny (as Johny Walker) 1955 128. Musafirkhana – Actor 1955 129. Railway Platform – Actor 1955 130. Shahzada – Actor 1955 131. Society – Actor 1955 132. Aar-Paar – Rustom (as Johny Walker) 1954 133. Barati – Actor 1954 134. Lal Pari – Actor 1954 135. Taxi Driver – Mastana 1954 136. Aag Ka Dariya – Actor 1953 137. Baaz – The Court Astrologer (as Johny Walker) 1953 138. Thokar – Actor 1953 139. Aandhiyan – Actor 1952 140. Jaal – Actor (as Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi) 1952 141. Baazi – Actor (as Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi) 1951 Here are some of the lovely songs picturised on Johnny Walker:-
Sources: Wikipedia, IMDB
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