Most Memorable Supporting Actors and Actress
Playing roles of a mother, a villain, a best friend or just an acquaintance as a supporting actor. This story sheds light on the journey of those few actors who didn't need a lead
Song: Chahe Koi Khush HoShemaroo
Johnny Walker
Born as Bardruddin Jamaluddin Kazi in Indore, he acted in around 300 films.
A bus conductor turned comedian won millions of hearts and ruled the Indian cinema during his time.
Song: Chahe Koi Khush HoShemaroo
One of Bollywood’s most loved actors known for his comic roles and as a hapless drunk; a sidekick to the main lead.
Kazi moved to Mumbai when his father lost his job. To support his family he worked as a BEST (Bombay Electrical Supply and Transport) conductor and entertained the passengers through his impressions and comical ways of announcing the bus stops
Song: Mene Kaha ThaShemaroo
His journey in Bollywood started when Balraj Sahani, an Indian actor who was already well established in the industry, encountered him in his act and introduced him to Guru Dutt, a renowned director,producer, and writer in the Hindi film industry from 1950’s to early 1960’s.
Impressed by Kazi, Dutt immediately offered him a role in his upcoming film Baazi (1951). It is believed that Dutt was so impressed that he wrote a role specially to include Kazi in the film.
Song: All Line Clear Aage BadhoShemaroo
It was Guru Dutt who gave Kazi his screen name Johnny Walker with reference to his favorite brand of scotch whiskey – Johnny Walker.
Song: Sar Jo Tera Chakraaye…Champi…Tel MalishShemaroo
Mostly known for playing characters of a drunk man, Johnny was nothing like that in real life. He was a sober, humble soul.
Song: Aeji Dil Par Hua Aisa JaaduShemaroo
His performance in Baazi (1951) was so well received that later both Dutt and Walker worked together in many films like Chaudhvin Ka Chaand (1960); Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959); Mr. & Mrs. 55 (1955)
Walker received fame and popularity through not one but many of Dutt’s films like, CID (1956) and Pyassa (1957)
Song: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil...Yeh Hai Bombay Meri JaanShemaroo
His popularity in Bollywood started coming to an end when his work was overpowered by Mehmood. He was Bollywood’s newest rising comedy actor, who was later given the title of ‘King of Comedy’ in the industry.
Amjad Khan
An actor who started his journey in Bollywood at an early age of 11 and gained popularity.
His first role in Bollywood was as a child actor in the film Nazneen (1951) at the age of 11 and at the age of 17 in Ab Dilli Dur Nahi (1957).
Born on November 12th, 1940; Amjad Khan was an Indian actor and a film director.
Throughout his career in Bollywood Amjad Khan acted in about 130 films, mostly playing the role of a villain for which, he is well known.
Song : Tune Har Raat Mohabbat Ki Kasam Khaii HaiShemaroo
Making his place in the industry by mostly playing unconventional roles, mostly that of a villain, Khan gained tremendous popularity.
Song: Jahan Teri Yeh Nazar HaiShemaroo
He was one of the first villains (actor playing the role of a villain) to endorse a brand in an advertisement, never was an actor who is known for his negative roles and characters in films were taken to do the same.
Britannia’s Glucose – D biscuit with the tagline: “Gabbar ki asli passand”
His breakthrough in Bollywood was when one of the writers offered him a role as a villain as Gabbar, which was and still considered to be a classic, humongous blockbuster film - Sholey (1975). The role of a ruthless Daaku (dacoit).
This particular role gave him tremendous popularity. His expressions, the way that he flawlessly carried and played his character and most important, dialogue delivery.
It is believed that Amjad took more than 30 retakes to perfect this particular dialogue!
Although he played notorious and unconventional roles he also acted in a few positive roles as a supporting actor. In Yarana (1981) he played the role of actor Amitabh Bachchan’s friend, in Lawaris (1981) he played the role of Bachchan’s father.
Amjad Khan did go out of his comfort zone and did a few comic characters in films like Qurbani (1980) and Love Story (1981)
Trying his luck as a director did not work in his favor, soon after this his career started to come to an end.
In 1992 the actor died of a heart attack, leaving the industry devastated.
Eminent Actors of the Golden Era of Indian cinema (2018-06/2018-06)Art Deco Mumbai
Johnny Lever
In a country where everyone loves to laugh; there were and are very few Bollywood actors who can do the same.
Born as John Prakash Rao on 14 August 1957, Johnny Lever is till date one of India’s favorite actors, acting in over 300 films.
One one India's first stand-up comic, Johnny Lever played the role of a supporting actor who would naturally introduce comedy and break tension in the films
Song: Bapuji Bapuji Mujhe Karne Do ShaadiShemaroo
He worked with his father at Hindustan Unilever plant for about 6 years. At that time during a company party Johnny mimicked a few of his colleagues, which is when his friends started calling him Johnny Lever. He later decided to use the same as his screen name.
Even while working at the plant, he never stopped his on-stage performances. This is when he started to perform in musical shows and joined Kalyanji Anandji’s group. During one such show in 1982 where he shared the stage with actor Amitabh Bachchan; Johnny’s talent was noticed by Sunil Dutt (Bollywood’s known director / producer and writer) who offered him a role in his film Dard (1982). Johnny Lever’s first film.
Song: Mere Saanwre SanwariyaShemaroo
He got his first breakthrough in the industry with the film Baazigar (1993).
He has won 2 filmfare awards, Bollywood’s most prestigious award ceremony for Best performance in a comic role for Deewana Mastana in 1997 and Dulhe Raja in 1998.
His most memorable performances have been in Baazigar (1993), Awara Pagal Deewana (2002), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Golmaal (2010).
During the late 80’s and 90’s when comedy was not considered a serious business in the film industry and elsewhere, Johnny Lever has left a mark on all of us and till date continues to do the same.
Song: Aaja Re DeewaneShemaroo
Nirupa Roy
Portrayed as the ‘Mother of Bollywood’ and the ‘Queen of misery roles’
Born as Kokila Kishorchandra Bulsara in January 1931, Nirupa Roy was a spectacular Indian Actress who had worked in over 250 films in her career.
Although her first Bollywood film was Amar Raj in 1946, it was Gunsundari in 1948 that instantly gave her a breakthrough in the industry where she played a role of a housewife who wins her husband back.
Nirupa Roy was known to play the role of Indian Goddesses after which people used to line up after her house to touch her feet.
Song: Aaja Ri Aa Nindiya Tu AaShemaroo
Roy’s role in Do Bigha Zameen (1953) brought much fame to her.
Initially she started acting as one of the leads in her films, but from a very young age she played the role of a mother to all other leading actors.
A few films to name include Rani Roopmati (1959); Deewar (1975); Do Bigha zameen (1953); Amar Akbar Anthony (1977); Gunsundari (1948).
Her first role as a mother was in the film Munimji (1955) with Dev Anand as her son who was more than 8 years elder to him!
This is how she came to be known as the “Mother of Bollywood”. Her career progressed as she played these roles. For which she also received a Lifetime Achievement award, at the Filmfare
In fact she is the only actress to have played the role of a mother to both Dharmendra and his son Sunny Deol in two different films.
Roy is most known to play the role of a mother to actor Amitabh Bachchan.
Playing the role of a mother from a very young age and continuing to do so till the very end of her career with her cliche dialogues will always be remembered and loved by all.
Supporting Actors have proved their worth in the industry, and sometimes even outshine the lead in the process. These were few such actors who kept Bollywood alive with to their acting. They might not be as famous as the stars of Bollywood we know today, but it was their talent that made laces in our hearts.
