I. S. Johar
Encyclopedia
Inderjeet s Johar better known as I. S. Johar, was an India
n actor, writer, producer and director.
(now in Pakistan
) during the British Raj
in a Sikh family. He did his Bachelor of Arts at F.C. College
, Lahore where he became interested in film. "Bollywood" at the time was located in major film studios in Lahore
, making both Hindi and Punjabi
films, and Johar had the usual "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" apprenticeship, as production assistant, screenwriter and finally director's assistant and an actor in front of the camera.
prompted the migration of many established luminaries of the Indian cinema, such as Prithviraj Kapoor
, who migrated to Bombay (now known as Mumbai). In 1947, during the Partition crisis, Johar was visiting Patiala with his family for a wedding, when riots broke out back home in Lahore. He could never go back, and thereafter he worked in Jalandhar
for a while, and his family remained in Delhi, before he eventually he moved to Bombay, where he made his acting debut with Roop K Shorey’s, Ek Thi Ladki
(1949).
He acted in numerous Hindi films from the 1950s through to the early 1980s and played cameos
in international films such as Harry Black
(1958), North West Frontier (1959), Lawrence of Arabia
(1962) and Death on the Nile
(1978), besides acting in Maya
(1967), a US TV series. He also appeared in Punjabi films, including Chaddian Di Doli (1966), Nanak Naam Jahaaz Hai (1969) with Prithviraj Kapoor
, and Yamla Jatt with Helen.
I. S. Johar also wrote and directed films, some of which included Johar Mehmood in Goa and Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong in which he co-starred with comedian Mehmood. These were inspired by comedy films of the Bob Hope
-Bing Crosby
style Road to...
series. That being said, Johar was a unique and idiosyncratic individual, a lifelong liberal (if not a libertine: he had five marriages, an extraordinary number by Indian standards, both then and now) who poked fun at all forms of institutionalized self-satisfied smugness - an attitude which did not endear him to the essentially hierarchical and conservative Indian establishment, and might have contributed to being relegated to making B-grade movies
all his life, due to a lack of finding financing for his highly individual and quirky screenplays. In many of his films, both those he directed and those he acted in, his third wife Sonia Sahni was the leading lady
, most notably in Johar Mahmood in Goa, 1964.
He also starred in films with his own surname in the title such as Mera Naam Johar, Johar in Kashmir and Johar in Bombay, which is a testament both to his immense egotism, as well as his popularity with the common masses - for whom a movie with the Johar name was a guarantee of easy laughs, as well as subtle ironic or frankly sarcastic jibes at Indian customs, mores, superstitions and institutions. His film Nasbandi (trans. Vasectomy
) was a spoof on Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
's failed policy of population control by coerced vasectomies during the period of Emergency and was "banned" when it was first released.
Yash Chopra
started his film career as an assistant director with I. S. Johar.
He died in Maharashtra
, India in 1984 at the age of 64.
and Nasbandi.
Director
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n actor, writer, producer and director.
Early life
He was born in TalagangTalagang
Talagang, the headquarters of Talagang Tehsil, is a town located in Chakwal District, Punjab, Pakistan. It is located at 32°55'0N 72°25'0E and lies about 30 kilometres from the M2 motorway and about 45 kilometres from the district capital, Chakwal....
(now in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
) during the British Raj
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
in a Sikh family. He did his Bachelor of Arts at F.C. College
Forman Christian College
Forman Christian College University, or FCCU, is a chartered university in Lahore, Pakistan, named after its American-born founder, Dr. Charles William Forman.- History :...
, Lahore where he became interested in film. "Bollywood" at the time was located in major film studios in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, making both Hindi and Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
films, and Johar had the usual "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" apprenticeship, as production assistant, screenwriter and finally director's assistant and an actor in front of the camera.
Career
The Partition of IndiaPartition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
prompted the migration of many established luminaries of the Indian cinema, such as Prithviraj Kapoor
Prithviraj Kapoor
Prithviraj Kapoor , 3 November 1906 – 29 May 1972) was a pioneer of Indian theatre and of the Hindi film industry, who started his career as an actor, in the silent era of Hindi cinema, associated with IPTA and who founded Prithvi Theatres, a travelling theatre company based in Mumbai, in...
, who migrated to Bombay (now known as Mumbai). In 1947, during the Partition crisis, Johar was visiting Patiala with his family for a wedding, when riots broke out back home in Lahore. He could never go back, and thereafter he worked in Jalandhar
Jalandhar
Jalandhar is a city in Jalandhar District in the state of Punjab, India. It is located 144 km northwest of the state capital, Chandigarh...
for a while, and his family remained in Delhi, before he eventually he moved to Bombay, where he made his acting debut with Roop K Shorey’s, Ek Thi Ladki
Ek Thi Ladki
Ek Thi Ladki was a 1949 Hindi movie by director Roop K. Shorey.This was the movie which had the famous Punjabi song "'Laara Lappa Laara Lappa Layi Rakhda" by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi. The movie starred Meena Shorey and Motilal . Other notable actors were Bharat Bhushan, I.S. Johar, Agha,...
(1949).
He acted in numerous Hindi films from the 1950s through to the early 1980s and played cameos
Cameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
in international films such as Harry Black
Harry Black (film)
Harry Black is a 1958 British film adaptation of the novel Harry Black by David Walker, released by 20th Century Fox. The film stars Stewart Granger, Barbara Rush and I. S. Johar in a BAFTA nominated role.The film was shot in India.-Cast:...
(1958), North West Frontier (1959), Lawrence of Arabia
Lawrence of Arabia (film)
Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British film based on the life of T. E. Lawrence. It was directed by David Lean and produced by Sam Spiegel through his British company, Horizon Pictures, with the screenplay by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson. The film stars Peter O'Toole in the title role. It is widely...
(1962) and Death on the Nile
Death on the Nile (1978 film)
Death on the Nile is a 1978 film based on the Agatha Christie mystery novel Death on the Nile, directed by John Guillermin. The film features the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot played by Peter Ustinov plus an all-star cast. It takes place in Egypt, mostly on the Nile River...
(1978), besides acting in Maya
Maya (TV series)
Maya was an hour-long U.S. adventure television series that aired on NBC, Saturdays from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from September 16, 1967 until February 10, 1968...
(1967), a US TV series. He also appeared in Punjabi films, including Chaddian Di Doli (1966), Nanak Naam Jahaaz Hai (1969) with Prithviraj Kapoor
Prithviraj Kapoor
Prithviraj Kapoor , 3 November 1906 – 29 May 1972) was a pioneer of Indian theatre and of the Hindi film industry, who started his career as an actor, in the silent era of Hindi cinema, associated with IPTA and who founded Prithvi Theatres, a travelling theatre company based in Mumbai, in...
, and Yamla Jatt with Helen.
I. S. Johar also wrote and directed films, some of which included Johar Mehmood in Goa and Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong in which he co-starred with comedian Mehmood. These were inspired by comedy films of the Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Bob Hope, KBE, KCSG, KSS was a British-born American comedian and actor who appeared in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in radio, television and movies. He was also noted for his work with the US Armed Forces and his numerous USO shows entertaining American military personnel...
-Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
style Road to...
Road to...
Road to ... refers to a series of seven comedy films starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour. They are also often referred to as the "Road" pictures or the "Road" series. The movies were a combination of adventure, comedy, romance, and music...
series. That being said, Johar was a unique and idiosyncratic individual, a lifelong liberal (if not a libertine: he had five marriages, an extraordinary number by Indian standards, both then and now) who poked fun at all forms of institutionalized self-satisfied smugness - an attitude which did not endear him to the essentially hierarchical and conservative Indian establishment, and might have contributed to being relegated to making B-grade movies
B movie
A B movie is a low-budget commercial motion picture that is not definitively an arthouse or pornographic film. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified a film intended for distribution as the less-publicized, bottom half of a double feature....
all his life, due to a lack of finding financing for his highly individual and quirky screenplays. In many of his films, both those he directed and those he acted in, his third wife Sonia Sahni was the leading lady
Leading lady
Leading lady is an informal term for the actress who plays a secondary lead or supporting role, usually a love interest, to the leading actor in a film or play. It is not usually applied to the leading actress in the performance if her character is the protagonist.A leading lady can also be an...
, most notably in Johar Mahmood in Goa, 1964.
He also starred in films with his own surname in the title such as Mera Naam Johar, Johar in Kashmir and Johar in Bombay, which is a testament both to his immense egotism, as well as his popularity with the common masses - for whom a movie with the Johar name was a guarantee of easy laughs, as well as subtle ironic or frankly sarcastic jibes at Indian customs, mores, superstitions and institutions. His film Nasbandi (trans. Vasectomy
Vasectomy
Vasectomy is a surgical procedure for male sterilization and/or permanent birth control. During the procedure, the vasa deferentia of a man are severed, and then tied/sealed in a manner such to prevent sperm from entering into the seminal stream...
) was a spoof on Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
's failed policy of population control by coerced vasectomies during the period of Emergency and was "banned" when it was first released.
Yash Chopra
Yash Chopra
Yash Raj Chopra is an Indian filmmaker, film director, screenwriter, and a highly successful Bollywood producer. Waqt, Deewar, Kabhi Kabhie, Silsila, Lamhe, Chandni, Darr, Dil To Pagal Hai, and Veer-Zaara are some of his highly popular movies...
started his film career as an assistant director with I. S. Johar.
He died in Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, India in 1984 at the age of 64.
Personal life
He married Ramma Bans in 1943 in Lahore, and the couple had a son and a daughter before they divorced. He had four more marriages after that. He has another daughter Ambika Johar, also appeared in some films in the late 1970s, including his own movie, Nasbandi (1978). His son, Anil Johar, appeared in 5 Rifles5 Rifles
5 Rifles is a 1974 Hindi film produced and directed by I. S. Johar. The film stars Rakesh Khanna, Shahi Kapoor, and I. S. Johar. The film's music is by Kalyanji Anandji. One particular Qawaali of note in this film is the track Jhoom barabar Jhoom Sharabi sung by the notable qawaal of his times,...
and Nasbandi.
Awards and nominations
- 1971: Filmfare Best Comedian AwardFilmfare Best Comedian AwardThe Filmfare Best Comedian Award was given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise an actor who had delivered an outstanding performance in a comic role....
: Johny Mera NaamJohny Mera NaamJohny Mera Naam is a 1970 Indian Hindi movie. Directed by Vijay Anand, it stars the director's brother, Dev Anand and Pran in the role of a pair of brothers separated in childhood. Hema Malini, Jeevan, Premnath, I. S. Johar and Iftekhar also star in this movie. It is considered a Dev Anand... - BAFTA Best Actor nomination for Harry BlackHarry Black (film)Harry Black is a 1958 British film adaptation of the novel Harry Black by David Walker, released by 20th Century Fox. The film stars Stewart Granger, Barbara Rush and I. S. Johar in a BAFTA nominated role.The film was shot in India.-Cast:...
Filmography
Actor- "Hum Sab Chor Hain" (1956)
- Harry BlackHarry Black (film)Harry Black is a 1958 British film adaptation of the novel Harry Black by David Walker, released by 20th Century Fox. The film stars Stewart Granger, Barbara Rush and I. S. Johar in a BAFTA nominated role.The film was shot in India.-Cast:...
(1958) - BewaqoofBewaqoof-Plot:Advocate Rai Bahadur is a respected lawyer, who has no children. He has an affair with a prostitute Meher who have become pregnant of his child.-Cast:*Kishore Kumar - Kishore Kumar*Mala Sinha - Mala*I.S. Johar - Johar*Pran - Pran...
(1960) - North West Frontier (1960)
- Mr. India (1961)
- Lawrence of ArabiaLawrence of Arabia (film)Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British film based on the life of T. E. Lawrence. It was directed by David Lean and produced by Sam Spiegel through his British company, Horizon Pictures, with the screenplay by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson. The film stars Peter O'Toole in the title role. It is widely...
(1962) - Kali Yug: Goddess of VengeanceKali Yug: Goddess of VengeanceKali Yug: Goddess of Vengeance is a 1963 Italian fantasy film directed by Mario Camerini and starring Paul Guers.-Cast:* Paul Guers - Dr. Simon Palmer* Senta Berger - Catherine Talbot* Lex Barker - Maj. Ford* Sergio Fantoni - Ram Chand...
(1963) - Johar Mehmood In Goa (1964)
- Teen DevianTeen DevianTeen Deviyaan is a Dev Anand starrer movie made in the year 1965. Its music was one of the last few master pieces of S. D. Burman.-Plot:Devdutt Anand works in a company selling musical instruments, and is always late for work, infuriating his boss, I.S. Johar...
(1965) - Johar in Kashmir (film) (1966)
- Chaddian Di DoliChaddian Di DoliChaddian Di Doli is a film made in Bombay, Calcutta, India. It was released in 1966 and cast includes I. S. Johar as hero, Helen, Manmohan Krishan, Majnu, Manju, Naseem Bano . The film was written and directed by Lal Singh Kalsi and the Producers were Rangi and Sood...
(1966) - Main Wohi Hoon (1966)
- Dil Ne Phir Yaad KiyaDil Ne Phir Yaad KiyaDil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya is a 1966 Bollywood film. It stars Dharmendra, Nutan, Rehman and Jeevan. The music is by Sonik Omi.-Plot:The story of the eternal friendship between two men, 'Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya' is a musical classic. Ashok and Amjad are thick friends. This movie showcases their immense...
(1966) - MayaMaya (film)Maya is the coming of age story of a young girl in a South Indian village. Starring Nitya Shetty, Mita Vashisht, Anant Nag, Nikhil Yadav; the plot centers around an abusive religious ritual practiced in some villages in Southern India, when a young girl has her first period...
(1966) - ShagirdShagirdThe soundtrack of the film contains 6 songs. The music is composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, with lyrics authored by Majrooh Sultanpuri.*Song "Dil Wil Pyar Wyar" topped the Binaca Geetmala 1968 annual list.-External links:*...
(1967) - Pavitra PaapiPavitra PaapiPavitra Paapi is a 1970 Bollywood drama film directed by Rajendra Bhatia. The film stars Parikshit Sahni and Tanuja.-Cast:*Balraj Sahni ... pannalal*Tanuja ... Veena*Parikshat Sahni ... Kedarnath...
(1970) - Johny Mera NaamJohny Mera NaamJohny Mera Naam is a 1970 Indian Hindi movie. Directed by Vijay Anand, it stars the director's brother, Dev Anand and Pran in the role of a pair of brothers separated in childhood. Hema Malini, Jeevan, Premnath, I. S. Johar and Iftekhar also star in this movie. It is considered a Dev Anand...
(1970) - SafarSafar (film)Safar is a 1970 Indian Hindi film directed by Asit Sen. The film stars Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore and Feroz Khan in lead roles. The film became the tenth top-grossing production of the year...
(1970) - Chhoti BahuChhoti BahuChhoti Bahu is a 1971 Hindi film. Produced by Seeru Daryani and Darius Gotla, the film is directed by K. B. Tilak. The film stars Sharmila Tagore, Rajesh Khanna, Nirupa Roy and I. S. Johar. The music is by Kalyanji Anandji...
(1971) - Johar Mehmood In Hong KongJohar Mehmood in Hong KongJohar Mehmood in Hong Kong is a 1971 Bollywood comedy film directed by S.A. Akbar. The film stars Mehmood and I. S. Johar.-Cast:*Mehmood ... Mahesh / Ms. Dhanwanti / Panditji*I. S. Johar ... Ramesh / Prince Of Pagdandi / Sheikh Nek Sirat / Dr. Eyewalla...
(1971) - TangewalaTangewalaTangewala is a 1972 Bollywood action film directed by Naresh Kumar. The film stars Mumtaz and Sujit Kumar .-Cast:*Mumtaz*Sujit Kumar ... Zamindar*Bhagwan*Mohan Choti*Kumud Chuggani ... Gauri*I.S. Johar ... Nagina...
(1972) - Dastaan (1972)
- Banarasi BabuBanarasi BabuBanarasi Babu is a 1997 Hindi film directed by David Dhawan. The film stars Govinda, Ramya, Kader Khan, Shakti Kapoor and Bindu.-Plot:Gopi is a simpleton from Banaras. He gets married to a foreign returned Madhu . He is the family and faithful type. She is a daredevil , happy-go-lucky type. He...
(1973) - Jackpot - Badhti ka naam daadhi (1974) -- Seth Sohrabji Bandookwala
- Aaj Ka Ye GharAaj Ka Ye GharAaj Ka Ye Ghar is a 1976 Bollywood film directed by Surendra Shailaj. The film stars Helen.-Cast:*Shreeram Lagoo - Sajjan*Jaymala*Romesh Sharma - Vijay*Helen - Miss Ruhi*A. K. Hangal - Dinanath*Lalita Pawar - Mrs. Shanti Dinanath...
(1976) -- Painter - Mazdoor ZindabaadMazdoor ZindabaadMazdoor Zindabaad is a 1976 Bollywood film directed by Naresh Kumar.-Cast:*Suhail *Parijat *Ajay *Ashok Kapoor ... Ashok*Parveen Babi ... Kamla*Indira Bansal ... Mrs. Hansraj...
(1976) - Death on the NileDeath on the Nile (1978 film)Death on the Nile is a 1978 film based on the Agatha Christie mystery novel Death on the Nile, directed by John Guillermin. The film features the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot played by Peter Ustinov plus an all-star cast. It takes place in Egypt, mostly on the Nile River...
(1978) - Ganga Ki SaugandhGanga Ki SaugandhGanga Ki Saugandh is a 1978 Hindi movie. Produced and directed by Sultan Ahmed this film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Amjad Khan, Pran, I. S. Johar, Bindu, and Anju Mahendru. The music is by Kalyanji Anandji....
(1978) - NasbandiNasbandiNasbandi is a 1978 Bollywood comedy film directed by I.S. Johar.-Cast:*Amitabh Bacchan ... Amitabh Bacchan *Kanauj Kumar ... Kanauj Kumar*Shashi Kapoor ... Shashi Kapoor*Rakesh Khanna ... Rakesh Khanna...
(1978) - TrimurtiTrimurtiThe Trimurti is a concept in Hinduism "in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified by the forms of Brahmā the creator, Vishnu the maintainer or preserver, and Śhiva the destroyer or transformer," These three deities have been called "the Hindu triad" or...
(1980) - Raaz (1981)
- Gopichand Jasoos (1982)
- Teesri Aankh (1982)
Director
- Shrimati Ji (1952)
- NastikNastik (film)Nastik is a 1983 Hindi film produced by Vinod Doshi and directed by Pramod Chakravorty. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Pran, Deven Verma, Sarika, Amjad Khan, Aruna Irani, Madan Puri, Bhagwan Dada, Nalini Jaywant, Rita Bhaduri, Lalita Pawar, Bob Christo and Tom Alter...
(1954) - Shri Nagad Narayan (1955)
- Ham Sab Chor Hain (1956)
- Kitna Badal Gaya Insaan (1957)
- Miss IndiaMiss IndiaMiss India or Femina Miss India is a national beauty pageant in India, one of the most recognized contests to produce international beauty queens in the 90s, which annually selects three winners to compete globally. It is organized by Femina, a women's magazine published by Bennett, Coleman & Co...
(1957) - BewaqoofBewaqoof-Plot:Advocate Rai Bahadur is a respected lawyer, who has no children. He has an affair with a prostitute Meher who have become pregnant of his child.-Cast:*Kishore Kumar - Kishore Kumar*Mala Sinha - Mala*I.S. Johar - Johar*Pran - Pran...
(1960) - Johar-Mehmood in Goa (1965)
- Johar in Kashmir (1966)
- Jai BangladeshJai BangladeshJai Bangladesh is a 1971 Bollywood military drama film directed by I.S. Johar. The film stars Kabari Choudhury and Dilip Dutt ....
(1971) - 5 Rifles5 Rifles5 Rifles is a 1974 Hindi film produced and directed by I. S. Johar. The film stars Rakesh Khanna, Shahi Kapoor, and I. S. Johar. The film's music is by Kalyanji Anandji. One particular Qawaali of note in this film is the track Jhoom barabar Jhoom Sharabi sung by the notable qawaal of his times,...
(1974) - NasbandiNasbandiNasbandi is a 1978 Bollywood comedy film directed by I.S. Johar.-Cast:*Amitabh Bacchan ... Amitabh Bacchan *Kanauj Kumar ... Kanauj Kumar*Shashi Kapoor ... Shashi Kapoor*Rakesh Khanna ... Rakesh Khanna...
(1978)