Johnny Walker (Indian Comedian)

Johnny Walker (Indian Comedian)

Johnny Walker was an Indian film Comedian, his real name was Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi (11 November 1926 – 29 July 2003) his stage name Johnny Walker was given by Guru Dutt. Johnny Walker acted in around 300 films. He was born in Indore, British India, the son of a mill worker. The family moved to Bombay (now Mumbai). Johnny Walker took an ordinary job as a bus conductor with Bombay Electric Supply & Transport known as BEST.

He was happy-go-lucky. He became the sole breadwinner, traveling many miles and at unsocial hours at various times in order to buy and then sell ice candy, fruit, vegetables, stationery, and other goods. Throughout his youth, he dreamed of being involved in films, While working as Bus conductor he got a filmy job.

Johnny Walker nurtured his desire to work in films and entertained passengers while working the buses with amusing routines, hoping that he would at some point be spotted by someone with a connection to the movie industry. His wish came true, although the details are unclear. Actor Balraj Sahni saw him, Sahni, at that time writing the script for Baazi (1951) told Kazi to demonstrate his drunkard act to Guru Dutt. From that meeting, he gained a role in Baazi. It was Guru Dutt who gave him the name of Johnny Walker, a reference to the brand of Scotch whisky when he was inspired by Kazi's display in the role of a drunkard.

Thereafter, Walker appeared in all but one of Dutt's movies and the director encouraged him to draw on his varied life experiences. Films such as Mere Mehboob, C.I.D., Pyaasa, and Chori Chori made him a star. 

Guru Dutt filmed an entire song sequence "Sar Jo Tera Chakraye"  on him in the film Pyaasa. The song became a hit which made Johnny Walker a Comedy Star of that time.

Later on, he was picked by Dilip Kumar and was seen in many films with him including the famous Naya Daur.

Some songs were written especially for him. His drawing power at the box office was such that distributors would insist on him having a song and would pay extra to ensure it. He was the first actor to keep a secretary/manager. He was the first actor to stop working on Sundays. Mohd Rafi has sung most songs for Johnny Walker than any other actor. 

Despite often playing the role of a drunkard, Johnny Walker claimed to have never drank alcohol in his life.

We remember him as a true Gem of Indian Cinema.