By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
I. S. Johar was, at one time, one of the most educated film stars, holding a Master’s Degree in Economics. Johar shifted to India and lived in Delhi during riots in 1947. He later shifted to Bombay and tried his luck in films. A lean & thin fellow, Johar remained active in films since 1950 until early 1980s. I watched many of his movies including “Anita” (1967) , “Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai”, (1969), “Johny Mera Naam” (1970) & “Roop Tera Masatana” (1972) to mention few.
“Ek Thi Larki” (1949) was written & acted by him. It also featured Motilal, Meena Shorey & Kuldip Kaur. Produced by Roop K. Shorey the film is still remembered for its song” “Laara Lappa Laara Lappa Layi Rakhda”.
Johar was critical of those in power, more especially ones who lusted for more money & power. His film “Nasbandi’ was sort of a lampoon or sattire highlighting the campaign started by the then Central government as a measure to control population. The film was released in 1978 & subsequently banned. It was later released following change of the government. The film featured #Duplicates of popular stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Shashi Kapoor & Manoj Kumar besides comedians like Rajendra Nath, Tuntun, Manorama & Johar himself.
Johar worked in many films including- ‘Goonj Uthi Shehnai’ (1959), ‘April Fool'(1964), ‘Bheegi Raat’ (1965), ‘Raaz’ (1967) , ‘Anita’, (1967), ‘Trimurti’ ,’5 Rifles’, & ‘Prem Shastra’ (1974) to name some. Hit the bull’s eyes with #Blockbuster “Johny Mera Naam” (1970) winning Filmfare Award for Best Comedian in the bargain. Also #Nominted for British Academy Film Awards for Best Actor for British film ‘Harry Black’ (1959) also starring Stewart Granger & Barbara Rush. Johar also featured in ‘North West Frontier’ (1959) & ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (1962), the latter starring some of the #Big names like Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif & Peter O’Tool.
Johar also produced & directed many films of which “Bewakoof” starring Kishore Kumar, Mala Sinha, Pran & Johar himself was the best. I watched this film at Kanpur in 1969.
‘Johar-Mehmood in Goa’, ‘Johar in Kashmir’ (1965) & ‘5 Rifles’ (1974) were produced & directed by him. He also featured in some Punjabi films including ‘Chaddian Di Doli’ (1966) & ‘Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai’ (1969). In the former he played the lead as the earlier signed actor Dharmendra had withdrawn himself following his inclusion as hero in O.P. Ralhan’s “Phool Aur Patthar”(1966) which did wonders & became a #Blockbuster.
I met the actor once in 1982 during the making of ‘Teesri Aankh’ (1982). On the sets were also present Neetu Singh & Rakesh Roshan. Died two years later in 1984.
