Inder Sen Johar(16 February 1920 – 10 March 1984), better known as I. S. Johar, was an Indian actor, writer, producer and director, who excelled in comedic roles.

Early life

Inderjeet Singh Johar was born on 16th February, 1920 in Talagang City,

Talagang Tehsil Talagang Tehsil (تلا گنگ تحصیل), is a tehsil of Talagang District in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Talagang city is its headquartere. Administrative divisions Local government under plga 2019 https://lgcd.punjab.gov.pk/chart_of_succ ...

, Jhelum District, Punjab Province,

British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance on the Indian subcontinent. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one ...

(now within modern-day Chakwal District,

Punjab, Pakistan Punjab (; , ) is one of the four provinces of Pakistan. Located in central-eastern region of the country, Punjab is the second-largest province of Pakistan by land area and the largest province by population. It shares land borders with the ...

). He did an MA degree in Economics and Politics before completing his

LLB Bachelor of Laws ( la, Legum Baccalaureus; LL.B.) is an undergraduate law degree in the United Kingdom and most common law jurisdictions. Bachelor of Laws is also the name of the law degree awarded by universities in the People's Republic of Chi ...

. In August 1947, during the Partition of India, Johar was visiting

Patiala Patiala () is a city in southeastern Punjab, northwestern India. It is the fourth largest city in the state and is the administrative capital of Patiala district. Patiala is located around the '' Qila Mubarak'' (the 'Fortunate Castle') construct ...

with his family for a wedding when serious rioting broke out in

Lahore Lahore ( ; pnb, ; ur, ) is the second most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and 26th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 13 million. It is the capital of the province of Punjab where it is the largest city ...

, resulting in the Shah Alami Bazaar, once the largely Hindu quarter of the

Walled City A defensive wall is a fortification usually used to protect a city, town or other settlement from potential aggressors. The walls can range from simple palisades or earthworks to extensive military fortifications with towers, bastions and gates ...

, being entirely burnt down. Johar never returned to Lahore. For a period he worked in

Jalandhar Jalandhar is the third most-populous city in the Indian state of Punjab and the largest city in Doaba region. Jalandhar lies alongside the Grand Trunk Road and is a well-connected rail and road junction. Jalandhar is northwest of the state ...

while his family remained in

Delhi Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, primarily its western or right bank, Delhi shares borders ...

, before he eventually moved to Bombay, where he made his acting debut in the 1949 Hindi comedy action film '' Ek Thi Ladki''.

Career

Johar acted in numerous

Hindi films Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, refers to the film industry based in Mumbai, engaged in production of motion pictures in Hindi language. The popular term Bollywood, is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (fo ...

from the 1950s through to the early 1980s and appeared in international films such as '' Harry Black'' (1958), '' North West Frontier'' (1959), ''

Lawrence of Arabia Thomas Edward Lawrence (16 August 1888 – 19 May 1935) was a British archaeologist, army officer, diplomat, and writer who became renowned for his role in the Arab Revolt (1916–1918) and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign (1915–191 ...

'' (1962) and ''

Death on the Nile ''Death on the Nile'' is a work of detective fiction by British writer Agatha Christie, published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club on 1 November 1937 and in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company the following year. The UK edition retailed at se ...

'' (1978), besides acting in ''

Maya Maya may refer to: Civilizations * Maya peoples, of southern Mexico and northern Central America ** Maya civilization, the historical civilization of the Maya peoples ** Maya language, the languages of the Maya peoples * Maya (Ethiopia), a popul ...

'' (1967), a US TV series. He also appeared in Punjabi films, including ''Chaddian Di Doli'' (1966), Nanak Nam Jahaz Hai (1969) with

Prithviraj Kapoor Prithviraj Kapoor (born Prithvinath Kapoor; 3 November 1906 – 29 May 1972) was an Indian actor who is also considered to be one of the founding figures of Hindi cinema. He was associated with IPTA as one of its founding members and establish ...

, and ''Yamla Jatt'' with Helen. I. S. Johar also wrote and directed films, including the partition-based Hindi movie '' Nastik'' (1954), ''Johar Mehmood in Goa'' and ''Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong'', in which he co-starred with comedian

Mehmood Mahmud is a transliteration of the male Arabic given name (), common in most parts of the Islamic world. It comes from the Arabic triconsonantal root Ḥ-M-D, meaning ''praise'', along with ''Muhammad''. Siam Mahmud *Mahmood (singer) (born 1 ...

. These were inspired by comedy films of the

Bob Hope Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was a British-American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer and dancer. With a career that spanned nearly 80 years, Hope appeared in Bob Hope filmography, more than 70 short and ...

- Bing Crosby style '' Road to...'' series. Johar was a unique and idiosyncratic individual, a lifelong liberal who poked fun at institutionalised self-satisfied smugness – an attitude which did not endear him to the essentially hierarchical and conservative Indian establishment, and led to difficulties finding finance for his unconventional screenplays. In many of his films, both those he directed and those he acted in, Sonia Sahni was the

leading lady A leading actor, leading actress, or simply lead (), plays the role of the protagonist of a film, television show or play. The word ''lead'' may also refer to the largest role in the piece, and ''leading actor'' may refer to a person who typica ...

, most notably in ''Johar Mehmood 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'' (

Vasectomy Vasectomy, or vasoligation, is an elective surgical procedure for male sterilization or permanent contraception. During the procedure, the male vasa deferentia are cut and tied or sealed so as to prevent sperm from entering into the urethra and ...

) 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. In the plays written by him too, Johar attacks those in power. In a play on Bhutto, he writes about Pakistan's Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as well as Gen Mohammed Zia-ul-Haq.

Yash Chopra Yash Raj Chopra (27 September 1932 21 October 2012) was an Indian film director and film producer who worked in Hindi cinema. The founding chairman of the film production and distribution company Yash Raj Films, Chopra was the recipient of ...

started his film career as an assistant director with I. S. Johar. In 1963 he starred as "Gopal" in two Italian films directed by

Mario Camerini Mario Camerini (6 February 1895 – 4 February 1981) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. The cousin of Augusto Genina, he made the most well-known films in Italy during the 1930s, most of them comedies starring Vittorio De Sica. H ...

: '' Kali Yug, la dea della vendetta'' (Kali Yug, Goddess of vengeance) and ''Il Mistero del tempio indiano'' (The secret of the Hindu temple). He died in Bombay, on 10 March 1984.

Personal life

Johar married Ramma Bains in 1943 in Lahore. The couple became parents to two children, a son named Anil and a daughter named Ambika.Survival fittest
''

Times of India ''The Times of India'', also known by its abbreviation ''TOI'', is an Indian English-language daily newspaper and digital news media owned and managed by The Times Group. It is the third-largest newspaper in India by circulation and largest se ...

'', 2 June 2002. Both his children worked in a handful of films in the late 1970s, including ''Nasbandi'' (1978) and ''

5 Rifles ''5 Rifles'' is a 1974 Hindi film produced and directed by I. S. Johar. The film stars Rajesh Khanna's look-alike Rakesh Khanna, Shashi Kapoor's look-alike Shahi Kapoor, and I. S. Johar. Music was given by Kalyanji Anandji. One particular qawwal ...

'' featuring both of them. Ramma Bains herself acted in small roles in a couple of films, most notably as Balraj Sahni's cunning sister in '' Garam Hawa.'' Johar and Ramma were divorced; theirs was one of the earliest legal divorces in the country.Ramma Bans
THIS ABOVE ALL,

Khushwant Singh Khushwant Singh (born Khushal Singh, 2 February 1915 – 20 March 2014) was an Indian author, lawyer, diplomat, journalist and politician. His experience in the 1947 Partition of India inspired him to write ''Train to Pakistan'' in 1956 (made ...

, ''

The Tribune ''The Tribune'' or ''Tribune'' is the name of various newspapers: United States Daily California *'' Oakland Tribune'' * ''The Tribune'' (San Luis Obispo) *''San Gabriel Valley Tribune'' Indiana *'' Kokomo Tribune'' *'' Peru Tribune'' * ''The Tri ...

'', 6 March 2004. After this divorce, Johar married and divorced no less than four more women (five marriages in all, and as many divorces). One of his later wives was the actress

Sonia Sahni Sonia Sahni is an Indian actress who worked in Hindi language films. Her debut film was '' Johar-Mehmood in Goa'' with actors I. S. Johar and Mehmood. Her other notable films are '' Maalik (1972 film)'', '' Buddha Mil Gaya'', '' Bobby'', ''Dhara ...

, who had made her film debut in Johar's production ''

Johar-Mehmood in Goa ''Johar Mehmood in Goa'' is a 1965 Bollywood comedy film directed by I. S. Johar with he himself, along with Mehmood and Simi Garewal playing the lead roles. Its part of a comedy series that included Johar in Kashmir (1966), Johar in Bombay (19 ...

(1965)''. None of Johar's later marriages was blessed with children. I.S Johar is related to

Yash Johar Yash Johar (6 September 1929 – 26 June 2004) was an Indian film producer and the founder of Dharma Productions. His films featured lavish sets, were often set in "exotic" locations, and incorporated Indian traditions and family values. H ...

Awards and nominations

Filmography

;Actor * '' Ek Thi Ladki'' (1949) - Sohan * ''Ek Teri Nishani'' (1949) * ''Shrimati Ji'' (1952) - Chhoturam * ''Nagin'' (1954) * '' Shart'' (1954) - Hiten * '' Nastik'' (1954) - Joker * ''Durgesh Nandini'' (1956) * ''Hum Sab Chor Hain'' (1956) - Kadkaram / Shuddhram / Sohrab / D'Souza / Kalidas / Tomson / Ayyar / Madam Kadki / Daleelchand Daleel * ''Miss India'' (1957) - Pyarelal * ''Kitna Badal Gaya Insaan'' (1957) * ''Ek Gaon Ki Kahani'' (1957) - Gokul * '' Harry Black'' (1958) - Bapu * '' North West Frontier'' (1959) - Gupta * ''

Goonj Uthi Shehnai ''Goonj Uthi Shehnai'' () is a 1959 Hindi film directed by Vijay Bhatt, with Rajendra Kumar, Ameeta, Anita Guha and I. S. Johar as leads. The film has music by Vasant Desai and lyrics by Bharat Vyas, and the duo created numerous hits such as "Jiv ...

'' (1959) - Kanhaiya * '' Bewaqoof'' (1960) - Johar * ''Billo'' (1961) as Baunrar Mal (Punjabi movie) * '' Aplam Chaplam'' (1961) * '' Mr. India'' (1961) - Gullu Lala / Jung Bahadur * ''

'' (1962) - Gasim * '' Main Shadi Karne Chala'' (1962) * ''Ma Beta'' (1962) - Bishan Sahay * '' Banarsi Thug'' (1962) - lBanarasi Prasad * '' Kali Yug: Goddess of Vengeance'' (1963) - Gopal * '' The Secret Of The Hindu Temple'' (1963) - Gopal * '' April Fool'' (1964) - Advocate Brijlal Sinha * ''

'' (1965) - Ram * '' Teen Devian'' (1965) - I.S. Johar * ''Namaste Ji'' (1965) * '' Bheegi Raat'' (1965) - Acharyaa Jhootlingam * '' Main Wohi Hoon'' (1966) - Ashok * '' Chaddian Di Doli'' (1966) - Hero * ''

'' (1966) - One-Eye * ''Ladka Ladki'' (1966) - Jagmohan / Chakor * '' Johar in Kashmir'' (1966) - Aslam Abdul Samdani * '' Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya'' (1966) - Bhagwan * ''Akalmand'' (1966) * ''Johar in Bombay'' (1967) - Rajesh * '' Shagird'' (1967) - Prof. Brij Mohan Agnihotri 'Birju' * '' Raaz'' (1967) - Rakharam Singh 'Rocky' * '' Anita'' (1967) - Pramanand Marayan * ''Shrimanji'' (1968) - Johar M. Gupta / Pran * ''Mera Naam Johar'' (1968) - 008 / Johar Das * ''Haye Mera Dil'' (1968) - Sokhanlal * '' Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai'' (1969) - Shuka * '' Pavitra Paapi'' (1970) - Adarshan Lala * ''Do Thug'' (1970) * ''

Johny Mera Naam ''Johny Mera Naam'' () is a 1970 Indian Hindi-language crime action film directed by Vijay Anand. The film stars the director's brother, Dev Anand and Pran in the roles of brothers separated in childhood. Hema Malini, Jeevan, Premnath, I. S. ...

'' (1970) - Pehle Ram (Palmist) / Dooja Ram / Teeja Ram * ''Mera Naam Joker'' (1970) - (uncredited) * '' Safar'' (1970) - Kalidas * '' Puraskar'' (1970) - Sumesh * ''

Aag Aur Daag ''Aag Dur Daag'' is a 1970 Hindi-language action drama film directed by A. Salaam. The film stars Joy Mukherjee and Madan Puri. The film's music is by Datta Naik. Plot Bombay-based Young Raja witnesses his parents commit suicide after being che ...

'' (1970) - Murli - Taxi-driver * ''Albela'' (1971) * ''

Chhoti Bahu ''Chhoti Bahu'' is a 1971 Hindi film. Produced by Seeru Daryani and Darius Gotla, the film is directed by K. B. Tilak and written by Raj Baldev Raj. The film stars Sharmila Tagore, Rajesh Khanna, Nirupa Roy and I. S. Johar. The music is by ...

'' (1971) - Premnath (Niku's dad) * ''Thi Reeta'' (1971) * ''

Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong ''Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong'' is a 1971 Bollywood comedy film directed by S.A. Akbar. The film stars Mehmood and I. S. Johar. Its part of a comedy series that included Johar-Mehmood in Goa (1965), Johar in Kashmir (1966) and Johar in Bombay (19 ...

'' (1971) - Ramesh / Prince Pagadandi * ''Jai Bangladesh'' (1971) * ''Dost Aur Dushman'' (1971) * ''Maalik Tere Bande Hum'' (1972) * ''Doctor X'' (1972) * '' Dastaan'' (1972) - Johar aka Birbal * ''

Roop Tera Mastana ''Roop Tera Mastana'' ( Your beauty is intoxicating) is a 1972 Hindi-language thriller film, produced by Baldev Pushkarna and M.M. Malhotra under the Suchitra Kala Mandir banner and directed by Khalid Akhtar. It stars Jeetendra, Mumtaz, Pran ...

'' (1972) - Driver * ''

Gomti Ke Kinare ''Gomti Ke Kinare'' is a 1972 Bollywood drama film, directed by Saawan Kumar Tak in his directorial debut. The film stars Meena Kumari and Mumtaz. It was the last release of Meena Kumari, and was released posthumously on 22 November 1972, 8 mo ...

'' (1972) - Seth Chellamal * '' Tangewala'' (1972) - Nagina * '' Banarasi Babu'' (1973) - Jackpot * '' Joshila'' (1973) - Raunaq Singh * ''Teen Chor'' (1973) * '' Kashmakash'' (1973) - Private Detective Johar * ''Intezar'' (1973) * ''Intezaar'' (1973) * '' Ek Mutthi Aasmaan'' (1973) - Pandit Kishorilal Sharma * ''

Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar ''Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar'' ('')'' is a 1973 Indian comedy film directed by Rajendra Bhatia. Its stars Kiran Kumar and Radha Saluja. This film was adapted from a Gujarati play and later remade in Marathi as ''Pheka Pheki'' (1989) and in Hindi as ' ...

'' (1973) - Ramji * ''

Trimurti The Trimūrti (; Sanskrit: त्रिमूर्ति ', "three forms" or "trinity") are the trinity of supreme divinity in Hinduism, in which the cosmic functions of creation, maintenance, and destruction are personified as a triad of ...

'' (1974) - Shadilal * ''

'' (1974) - Harfan Mama * ''

Prem Shastra ''Prem Shastra'' () is a 1974 Indian Hindi-language film written and directed by B. R. Ishara. The film stars Dev Anand, Zeenat Aman and Bindu. Plot Sagar Sharma (Dev Anand) is a popular author and a favourite among women. During one of his ...

'' (1974) - Malhotra * '' Do Nambar Ke Amir'' (1974) - Mr. Johar * ''Do Aankhen'' (1974) '' Badhti Ka Naam Daadhi'' (1974) * ''Maze Le Lo'' (1975) * '' Zinda Dil'' (1975) - Pinto D'Souza / Daya Shankar * ''

Sankoch ''Sankoch'' () is a 1976 Indian Hindi-language drama film, produced by R. K. Soral on Suyog Films banner and directed by Anil Ganguly. Starring Jeetendra, Sulakshana Pandit and music composed by Kalyanji–Anandji. The movie is based on the n ...

'' (1976) - Sangeet Samrat * ''

Khalifa Khalifa or Khalifah (Arabic: خليفة) is a name or title which means "successor", "ruler" or "leader". It most commonly refers to the leader of a Caliphate, but is also used as a title among various Islamic religious groups and others. Khalif ...

'' (1976) - Diwan Manoharlal Agnihotri * ''Yamla Jatt'' (1976) - Yamla Jatt * ''

Mazdoor Zindabaad ''Mazdoor Zindabaad'' is a 1976 Bollywood film directed by Naresh Kumar. Cast *Randhir Kapoor *Suhail as Master Suhail *Parijat as Baby Parijat *Ajay as Master Ajay * Ashok Kapoor as Ashok *Parveen Babi as Kamla *Indira Bansal as Mrs. Hansra ...

'' (1976) - Kansraj (uncredited) * '' Aaj Ka Ye Ghar'' (1976) - Painter * '' Saheb Bahadur'' (1977) - Prof. Rampyare * ''Jagriti'' (1977) * ''Ek Aurat Do Joote'' (1978) * '' Nasbandi'' (1978) - Himself * ''

Ganga Ki Saugandh Ganga Ki Saugandh is a 1978 Hindi-language action drama film produced and directed by Sultan Ahmed. It was released on February 10, 1978. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Amjad Khan, Pran, I. S. Johar, Bindu, and Anju Mahendru. The t ...

'' (1978) - Birju Master * ''

Priyatama ''Priyatama'' ( Sweetheart) is a 1977 Hindi-language musical film, produced by T.C. Dewan under the Modern Pictures banner and directed by Basu Chatterjee. It stars Jeetendra, Neetu Singh, Rakesh Roshan, Asha Sachdev in lead roles and music c ...

'' (1978) - Lawyer * ''

'' (1978) - as Mr. Choudhury, Manager of the Karnak * '' Premi Gangaram'' (1978) * '' Ek Baap Chhe Bete'' (1978) - B.R.Choranjia * ''Guru Ho Jaa Shuru'' (1979) - Curator D'Costa * ''Ranjha Ikk Tey Heeran Do'' (1979) - Tota Ram * ''Ramu To Diwana Hai'' (1980) * '' Beqasoor (1980 film)'' - Dinanath * '' Do Premee'' (1980) - Daulatram * ''

Be-Reham ''Be-Reham'' is a 1980 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Raghunath Jhalani and produced by K. D. Shorey. It stars Sanjeev Kumar, Mala Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha, Reena Roy in lead roles and music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. This film was remade a ...

'' (1980) - Police Inspector Malpani * ''Sanjh Ki Bela'' (1980) * '' Raaz'' (1981) * ''Do Posti'' (1981) - Makhan * ''Guru Suleman Chela Pahelwan'' (1981) - Dharmatma * ''Gopichand Jasoos'' (1982) - Ram Rokada / No. 256 * '' Teesri Aankh'' (1982) - Mirchandani * ''

Heeron Ka Chor ''Heeron Ka Chor'' () is a 1982 Indian Hindi-language action film directed by S. K. Kapoor, starring Ashok Kumar, Mithun Chakraborty, Bindiya Goswami, Shakti Kapoor, Madan Puri, Helen in pivotal roles. The music was composed by Sonik Omi. P ...

'' (1982) * '' Bad Aur Badnaam'' (1984) - Malpani (uncredited) (final film role)

Director

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Johar, I. S. 1920 births 1984 deaths Forman Christian College alumni Indian male film actors Male actors in Hindi cinema Hindi-language film directors Film producers from Mumbai Indian male screenwriters Filmfare Awards winners 20th-century Indian male actors Punjabi people People from Chakwal District 20th-century Indian screenwriters 20th-century Indian male writers