Johnny Walker in a still from Aar Paar
New Delhi:
Twitter was flooded with fond memories of comedian Johnny Walker on July 29, the actor's 12th death anniversary. He would have been 89 this November.
Born Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi, Johnny Walker blazed a trail for several comedians who were to make it big in the world of Bollywood comedy later. He was especially adept at playing a drunk on screen - even though he was a teetotaler in real life - and was, in fact, cast as a drunk in his first notable role in 1951's
Baazi.
The moniker Johnny Walker was bestowed on him by actor-director Guru Dutt with who he formed a deep friendship and a hugely successful partnership on screen, appearing in all but one Guru Dutt film. In an era when star billing in song picturisations was reserved for the hero and heroine, Johnny Walker had the popular
Sar Jo Tera Chakraye all to himself in
Pyaasa. Apart from the acclaimed
Pyaasa, Johnny Walker's films of note included
CID, Mere Mehboob, Naya Daur, Chori Chori and
Madhumati.On Twitter, Bollywood celebrities remembered the late actor with affection and respect. Rishi Kapoor listed snooker as one of his talents:
Filmmaker Milap Zaveri remembered the actor's famous song from
Pyaasa,
Sar jo Tera Chakraye:
His other famous songs are
Jaane Kaha Mera Jigar Gaya Ji and
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
Johnny Walker was last seen in a cameo role in
Chachi 420, as Kamal Haasan's make-up artist friend. The actor died in 2003 at the age of 77.