Mehmood was one of nine children born to actor and dancer Mumtaz Ali in Bombay. Mehmood started acting as a reluctant child actor in Bombay Talkies films like Kismet. Some of his early jobs before he started acting were driving, doing odd jobs, selling poultry. Mehmood worked as director P L Santoshi's driver. Later Santoshi's son Rajkumar Santoshi cast Mehmood in his venture Andaz Apna Apna. He was hired to teach table tennis to Meena Kumari in those days. Mehmood later married her sister Madhu. It was after marriage and becoming a father that he decided to act to earn a better living. Mehmood got a small break as a murder victim in CID. He started off by doing small unnoticed roles in films like "Do Bigha Zameen" and "Pyaasa". He later went on to act in lead roles but he was appreciated for his comedy.
Death came to him silently in his sleep! Alas, there was no sound of laughter! He must have missed that! Mehmood the Bollywood comic legend died in his sleep, in a hotel room at Pennsylvania (where he had gone for medical treatment) in July 2004.
The inimitable Mehmood was Bollywood’s best-known comedian. There were many other comedians in Bombay Talkies before he came to the screen, but they merely functioned as excuses to take the audience’s mind off the melodramatic plot for a few minutes of the film’s running time. Then, along came Mehmood – and he made the comedian’s role an integral part of the story line. Often the comedian’s plight proved more interesting than even the hero’s romance. And, for a brief period in the 60s, thanks to him, comedy was king. And Mehmood was the uncrowned King of Comedy.
By the time the 90s set in, Mehmood had played his entire hand as actor, director, storywriter and producer. But, he was now keeping indifferent health. He made one last attempt at a comeback, with a film called Dushman Duniya Ka. By now, there was a new generation of filmgoers in the theatres and new stars in Bollywood’s firmaments. Mehmood managed to get the brightest new star into his movie. Shah Rukh Khan – a self-confessed Mehmood admirer – played the role of the “young” Mehmood in the film, complete with toothbrush moustache and manic eye-rolls. But, by then, Mehmood had lost his most precious gift – the ability to feel the pulse of the junta’s moods and laughter. The film was a dismal flop at the box-office!
Mehmood will forever be remembered as he appeared in his heydays as the King of Comedy. He taught a nation how to laugh! Thank you for the laughter!
Mehmood also gave major breaks to Amitabh Bachchan, who actually stayed with Mehmood and his brother Mansoor Ali in his early days in Mumbai, and Aruna Irani in "Bombay To Goa".
Some of his memorable songs are: "Ek chatur naar" from Padosan, "Aao Twist Karen" (Let's do the twist) from Bhoot Bangla, "Yeh do deewane dil ke" from Johar Mehmood in Goa, "Hum kaale hai to kyaa huaa dilwaale hain" (What if I am dark, I have a heart) from Gumnaam.
Mehmood's son Lucky Ali, is a popular singer who has also acted in films.
FILMOGRAPHY :
Sasuraal
Gumnaam
Pyar Kiye Ja
Love in Tokyo
Patthar ke Sanam
Padosan
Aankhen
Do Phool
Dil Tera Diwana
Bhoot Bangla
Bombay to Goa
Sadhu aur Shaitan
Humjoli
Main Sundar Hoon
Kunwaara Baap
Sangharsh
Do Phool
Jinny Aur Johnny
Sabse Bada Rupaiya
Johar Mehmood in Goa
Johar Mehood in Hong Kong
Guddu
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