Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi, better known as Johnny Walker, was a renowned comedian in Indian Cinema. Born on May 15, 1923, he was the son of a textile mill worker and one of a family of fifteen members, who faced numerous challenges in their early life. Despite these difficulties, Kazi's life took a turn when he was spotted by actor/writer Balraj Sahni, who introduced him to Guru Dutt. This chance encounter led to Kazi's breakthrough role in the film Gamble (1951).
Kazi's performance in Gamble (1951) earned him widespread recognition, and he went on to work with Dutt in several films, including C.I.D. (1956) and Thirst (1957). His versatility and talent enabled him to excel in a range of roles, from the pickpocket Master in C.I.D. (1956) to the masseur Abdul Sattarin in Thirst (1957). Kazi's chemistry with Dutt was unparalleled, and the two were not only professional colleagues but also close friends.
Walker's popularity reached new heights with his own film, Johnny Walker (1957),and he went on to work with other renowned directors, including B.R. Chopra, Bimal Roy, and K. Asif. His performance in Madhumati (1958) earned him his first Filmfare Award, and he won his second and final Filmfare Award for his role in Shikar (1968).
As the years went by, Kazi's career began to slow down, and he eventually faded out of the spotlight. However, he made a comeback in the 1970s, starring in films such as Anand (1971),where he played a serious role and demonstrated his remarkable talent. His last role was as a make-up artist in Kamal Haasan's Chachi 420 (1997),a fitting curtain call for Bollywood's original king of comedy.
