Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi better known by his stage name Johnny Walker was an Indian actor who acted in around 300 films.

He took an ordinary job as a bus conducter with Bombay Electric Supply and Transport. Throughout his youth, he dreamed of being involved in films. He entertained passengers while working the buses, hoping that he would at some point he spotted by someone with connection to the movie industry. His wish came true, actor Balraj Sahani saw him. Balraj Sahani told to Johnny Walker to demonstrate his drunkard act to Guru Datt. Guru Datt was inspired by Johnny Walker’s display in the role of drunkard. Guru Datt gave him the name of Johnny Walker, a reference to the brand of Scotch Whiskey.

Thereafter, Johnny Walker in all Guru Datt’s movies. Guru Datt cast him in some of his memorable films Baazi, Baaz, Aar Par, Mr. & Mrs. 55, CID, Chaudhvi ka Chand, Sahib Bibi Aur Gulam and ‘Abdul Satar’ role played in “Pyaasa”. Datt & Walker were also best friends. His popularity reached such heights that he got his own film “Johnny Walker”. He also hired by other Directors to act in their own films. The most notable film of B. R. Chopra’s “Naya Daur”. He won first Filmfare Award for Bimal Roy’s “Madhumati”. In film “Shikar” he won his second Filmfare Award.

In film “Anand” where he was unusually seen in a serious role. His last role was an make up artist in Kamal Hasan’s “Chachi 420”. He was naturally seen with the bottle of alcohol. It was fitting curtain call for Bollywood’s Original King of Comedy.

Some songs were written especially for him. His drawing power at the box office was such that distributers would insist on him having a song and would pay extra to ensure it. He is the only actor to have a film in his name, “Johnny Walker”. He was the first actor to stop working on Sunday. Mohammad Rafi has sung most songs for Johnny Walker than any other actor. Despite often playing the roles of a drunkard, Johnny Walker was a teetotaller and claimed to have never drunk alcohol in his life.

In those days to do clean comedy. They were aware that the person who had come to the Cinema and come with his wife and children. The story was the most important thing. Johnny Walker acted in 300 films and the Censur Board never cut ever one lines. Johnny Walker brought smile and amusement to all whenever he was on film. Walker would drive audiences wild with laughter with his squeaky voice, pencil-thin mustache and his now-classic drunken antis.

Photos courtesy Google. Excerpts taken from Google.