Johny Lever on Johnny Walker’s Birth Centenary: ‘He Was a Friend, Guide and Inspiration’

Besides their first names (one spelled with a single ‘n’), Hindi cinema’s two comic aces, Johny Lever (born John Prakash Rao Janumala) and Johnny Walker (born Badruddin Jamaluddin Khan Kazi), the one principle common between them is that screen comedy must be clean and family-oriented. But there is much more: As neighbors, and thanks in part also to the bonhomie between their children, the two went on to share a very strong emotional bond.

Johnny Walker’s centenary is November 11, and Lever goes down memory lane, sharing his thoughts about the man who eventually became a friend, guide, and inspiration for him.

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You said that you began watching films when Mehmood ruled, but much later, you deliberately began watching Johnny Walker’s films. When did you two meet?

I came to know Johnny saab when he would come as a guest along with Dilip Kumar saab to Kalyanji-Anandji’s charity shows. But soon, when I began watching his films, I realized, “Yaar, yeh to bahut hi bada artiste hai (This man’s such a great artiste)!”

In real life, Johnny Walker was known as a serious thinker.

I completely agree. While growing up, I would occasionally listen to his radio show, ‘Aap Ke Sawaal Johnny Walker Ke Jawaab,’ and I remember one listener commenting, “Mehmood is on top now, whereas you are hardly seen.” And I will never forget Johnny-saab’s answer. He replied, “Sherpa Tenzing Norgay was the first to climb Mount Everest. If he had remained there, he would have frozen to death! He proudly hoisted the Indian flag and stepped down. Now someone else has climbed and hoisted his flag there, so let him enjoy the fruits of his labor.” It was such a profound statement!

How did your interaction begin?

We became virtual neighbors in 1990. I would mimic him in my shows and he would get irritated. But his sons explained to him that I was a good comedian, my shows would be housefull and people would go mad about my work. He cooled down, and one day in 1992, he called me home and advised me to concentrate on my shows rather than needlessly struggle in films. 

I had actually decided to follow his advice. But then “Baazigar” (1993) was released, and his son persuaded him to watch it just for me. Then Johnny saab came home and complimented me, saying, “Bahut mazaa aaya, bada accha lagaa (I enjoyed and liked your work very much).”

He later guided you on another vital aspect.

Yes, he did. About a year before he died in 2003, he came home with his son and told me his entire life story. We had a sumptuous meal. Later, he took me aside and told me, “See, I ate to my heart’s content today, even though my doctors have advised so many restrictions in my diet. Mujhe chhattis beemariyaan hain (I have multiple medical issues) and the monthly medical expense is ₹35,000, while my wife needs a further ₹30,000. I am able to spend this money only because I have it. Abhi aage tu samajh jaa (The rest you should understand).

I pondered on his statement. At that time, a lot of my earnings went to charity or were distributed to friends who needed help. I would even drink occasionally. But he had given me a vital hint, born out of his great experience in the industry. From that day, I got my life and medical insurance done. I decided to save and invest my earnings. I realized that by the time I was his age, I would probably need Rs. 6.5 lakh per month!

How would you describe him as an actor?

In one word, he was superb. Some months ago, his son showed me some of his unreleased scenes and songs. What an actor he was, especially in his few films as a hero. His humor was so futuristic, considering those times. There is one more aspect of his life that I follow - Johnny saab kept his professional and personal life in different compartments. When he came home, films were forgotten; it was family time. When he went on sets, family was forgotten until pack-up. That was Johnny Walker.