I S Johar
- Real Name: Indra Sen Johar
- Born: 16 February 1920 (Talagang)
- Died: 10 March 1984 (Bombay)
- Primary Cinema: Hindi
- Spouse: Rama Bans, Minna Johar
Known for his sharp wit and irreverent humour, I S Johar was one of the most popular comedians of his times, even creating a franchise in his own name.
Born in a Punjabi Hindu family in Tollaganj (now in Pakistan), I.S. Johar grew up in Lahore and completed his MA in Economics and Political Science and his LLB.
In 1947, when he was visiting Patiala with his family for a relative’s wedding, the newly independent nations of India and Pakistan were Partitioned, and riots broke out.
Having lost his home and livelihood, Johar lived and worked in Jalandhar and Delhi before moving to Bombay and entering the film industry in 1949. He made his debut in Roop K Shorey’s smash blockbuster Ek Thi Ladki(1949). Within no time, Johar found a foothold in the Bombay film industry as a comic actor, even as he diversified into writing and direction.
Through the 1950s till the early 1980s, I.S. Johar acted in movies such as Shart (1954), Nagin (1954), Hum Sab Chor Hai(1956), Bewaqoof (1960), Bheegee Raat(1965) and Shagird (1967). Of these, he also directed Ham Sab Chor Hai, and wrote for and directed Kitna Badal Gaya Insaan (1957).
In the 1960s, he formed a fruitful partnership with Mehmood and appeared in a series of comedy films, inspired by Bob Hope and Bing Crosby; Johar Mehmood in Goa (1965) and Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong (1971) are some of these movies. These movies, as also the later ones with his name in the title, were extremely popular as the name Johar began to be associated with laughs and sarcasm – often targeted at the establishment. His film Nasbandi (1978), a spoof on the Congress government’s failed policy of forced sterilization during the Emergency in 1975, was banned by the Government upon its release. His popularity was such that he could make a series of films in his own name like Johar in Kashmir (1966), Johar in Bombay (1967) and Mera Naam Johar (1968). He was the recipient of the the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for his triple role in Johny Mera Naam (1970).
Through this period, Johar was also among the first Indian actors to work in international films and TV series such as Harry Black and the Tiger (1958), North West Frontier (1959), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Death on the Nile (1978) and Maya (1967).
He married Rama Bans in 1943, but later married four more times. His two children, Ambika and Anil also appeared in a few films.
Besides Hindi and English, Johar also starred in Punjabi and Italian films. The multi-talented actor, writer and director died in Bombay on 10 March 1984.
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Filmography (92)
SortRole
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Gopichand Jasoos 1982
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Heeron Ka Chor 1982
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Patthar Ki Lakeer 1982
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Do Posti 1981
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Be Reham 1980
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Do Premee 1980
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Saanjh Ki Belaa 1980
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Guru Ho Jaa Shuru 1979
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Ek Baap Chhe Bete 1978
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Ganga Ki Saugand 1978
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Jalan 1978
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