One of Hindi cinema`s earliest and best-known stand-up comedians, Johnny Walker regaled audiences for over three decades with his comic expressions and quirky dialogues delivered with an inimitable nasal inflection.
Born Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi, Johnny Walker arrived in Bombay in the early 1940s. The responsibility of looking after a large family led him to become a bus conductor. His screen debut was in the 1949 film Aakhri Paigham. His big break, however, came when Balraj Sahni, his co-star in Hulchul, discovered his ability to entertain audiences with ready wit and repartee.
On Sahni`s recommendation, he met ace director
Guru Dutt, who gave him his first significant role in Baazi. Kazi adopted his screen name, Johnny Walker, from the eponymous liquor brand, following the success of his role as a drunkard in the film.
Baazi and Jaal marked the beginning of a long association between the Guru Dutt and Johnny Walker. Though Johnny Walker played the lead in several comedies, his best-remembered roles are with Guru Dutt in such films as Aar Paar, Mr and Mrs `55, and
Kaagaz Ke Phool, in which he is delightful as the playboy Rocky.
Never loud or vulgar and never resorting to slapstick, Johnny Walker proved it was possible to be funny without being coarse. He exemplified this in his roles as the masseur Abdul Sattar in
Pyaasa and the bumbling nawab in Mere Mehboob.
Johnny Walker had several hit songs picturised on him, including "Sarjo Tera Chakraye" in Pyaasa and "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan" in CID. In 1968, he won the
Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for his performance in Shikar.
The 1970s saw the coming of more boisterous and slapstick comedy dominated by Mehmood. However, Johnny Walker appeared in a memorable bit role in Anand and, later, in Shaan. He directed one film, Pahunche Huye Log, in 1985. Johnny Walker returned to the screen in 1998 to act in Kamal Hasan`s Chachi 420.
Till date Johnny Walker is remembered as one of the most beloved Bollywood comedians.
Johnny Walker has acted in the following Hindi films:
| Aakhri Paigham |
Railway Platform |
Kaagaz Ke Phool |
Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi |
Raja Jani |
| Hulchul |
Awara |
Satta Bazaar |
Dil Diya Dard Liya |
Pyar Ka Rishta |
| Baazi |
Chhoo Mantar |
Basant |
Bahu Begum |
Mera Vachan Geeta Ki Kasam |
| Jaal |
Chori Chori |
Chaudhvin Ka Chand |
Jaal |
Pratigya |
| Baaz |
CID |
Mughal-e-Azam |
Baazi |
Bandalbaaz |
| Humsafar |
Changhez Khan |
Chhote Nawab |
Hasina Maan Jayegi |
Khel Khiladi Ka |
| Aar Paar |
Pyaasa |
Aashiq |
Mere Huzoor |
Shaan |
| Taxi Driver |
Aakhri Dao |
Baat Ek Raat Ki |
Shikar |
Bindiya Chamkegi |
| Albeli |
Ghar Sansar |
Mere Mehboob |
Admi Aur Insaan |
Hum Dono |
| Milap |
Light House |
Shehnai |
Anand |
Pahunche Huye Log |
| Mr and Mrs `55 |
Madhumati |
Zindagi Aur Maut |
Sanjog |
Kararn Mera Dharam |
