Johnny Walker
- Also called:
- Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi
- Born:
- March 23, 1924?, Indore, British India [now in Madhya Pradesh]
- Died:
- July 29, 2003, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Johnny Walker (born March 23, 1924?, Indore, British India [now in Madhya Pradesh]—died July 29, 2003, Mumbai, Maharashtra) was an Indian actor and one of Hindi cinema’s earliest and best-known comedians. He regaled audiences with comic expressions and quirky dialogue delivered with a distinctive nasal inflection.
Early career
Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi arrived in Bombay (now Mumbai) in the early 1940s, and the responsibility of looking after a large family led him to become a bus conductor. He caught the attention of actor Balraj Sahni while entertaining passengers with his ready wit and repartee during a bus ride. On Sahni’s recommendation, he met actor-director Guru Dutt, who gave him his first significant role, in the crime thriller Baazi (1951; “Gamble”). Following the success of his role as a drunkard in the film, Kazi adopted his screen name, Johnny Walker, from the eponymous liquor brand. He, however, remained a teetotaler throughout his life.
Notable films
Baazi and the crime drama Jaal (1952; “The Trap”) marked the beginning of a long association between Dutt and Walker. Many of his best-remembered roles were in films that starred Dutt and were directed or produced by him: Walker played Rustom, a wily crook, in the crime drama Aar-Paar (1954, “This or That”); Johny, the loyal and spirited friend of the male lead in the romantic drama Mr. & Mrs. ’55 (1955); Master, a pickpocket who becomes embroiled in a crime investigation, in the suspense thriller C.I.D. (1956); Abdul Sattar, an endearing masseur and a steadfast companion to the male lead in the drama Pyaasa (1957; “Thirsty”); and Rocky, the jaunty, somewhat rakish brother-in-law of the male lead in the drama Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959; “Paper Flowers”).
Walker’s other notable roles from the 1950s include those in B.R. Chopra’s drama Naya Daur (1957; “The New Era”) and Bimal Roy’s supernatural romance Madhumati (1958), for which Walker won his first Filmfare Award, for best supporting actor. Never loud or vulgar and never resorting to slapstick, Walker proved that it was possible to be funny without being coarse. He was mostly cast in supporting roles (exceptions include Johnny Walker [1957] and Khota Paisa [1958; “Counterfeit Money”]) but was especially noted for his ability to leave a lasting impression on audiences through his animated acting and comic timing.
Walker appeared in a number of films through the 1960s, including the romantic drama Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960; “Full Moon”), costarring Guru Dutt, who also produced the film; the historical epic Mughal-e-Azam (1960; “The Grand Mughal”); the romantic drama Mere Mehboob (1963; “My Beloved”); and the thriller Shikar (1968; “Hunt”), which won him his second Filmfare Award, for best comic actor.
Later career
Through the 1970s and 1980s Walker continued to appear in memorable bit roles in such films as Anand (1971), Sanjog (1972; “Coincidence”), Pratiggya (1975; “Vow”), and Shaan (1980; “Pride”). He directed one film, Pahunche Huwey Log (1985; “Influential People”). His film output slowed in later years, but he returned from a hiatus to the screen in 1997 to act in Chachi 420 (The Trickster Aunt), his last acting credit.
Personal life
Walker married Noorjahan, the sister of Bollywood actress Shakeela, in 1955. He had met Noorjahan on the set of one of his movies. The couple shared six children.
