We witnessed, actors like Kader Khan and Asrani taking care of the Bollywood comedy scene in the initial stage but the actor who continued their legacy while making his own is Johnny Lever. One of the unsung superstars of the Bollywood industry, Johnny Lever not just changed the comedy scene in India but also introduced stand-up comedy to us. Making monologues his forte, Johnny left us amused with his comic timing and unmatchable expression. Today as an appreciation for the actor, here we bring you top 10 timeless classics featuring Johnny Lever that truly changed the Bollywood industry:
1. Phir Hera Pheri: Just like the first installment of the franchise, Phir Hera Pheri, is all in all Akshay, Paresh, and Suniel’s blockbuster, but Johnny Lever managed to make an impression of his own. Playing the role of a gangster, Lever left us with a stomach with his acting performance.
2. Golmaal 3: A huge credit for making Golmaal 3 a blockbuster goes to Johnny Lever and his iconic BG sound Bhulaaaaaa. In Rohit Shetty’s directed movie, Johnny played the role of a don named Pappi Bhai, who has a weird habit of forgetting things that costs him his all possession and the queen’s necklace.
3. Badshah: Badshah may have been hanging between cult classic and bore but the acting performance of Johnny Lever has never been questioned in the movie. Right from, his intro scene, Lever carved a niche for himself as Ram Laal, the right hand of Detective Badshah.
4. Awara Pagal Deewana: With a thrilling plot, mind-blowing action sequence, and super cast, Awara Pagal Deewana checked every box to become a cult classic. And this classic went a notch higher with the performance of Johnny Lever as Chhota Chhatri. The volitant don who flirts with Paresh’s wife really left us amused.
5. Judaai: Johnny Lever can be called the spine of Judaai. Playing the role of a wannabe movie star, his treat and tricks of Johnny didn’t even spare his own father. while the film had a love triangle between Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, and Urmila Matondkar, it was Harilal and Vaani a.k.a abba dabba jabba's love story that we remember.
6. Baazigar: A character with a short term memory has been in the industry for a long time, but they way Johnny made it his own character in Baazigar needs big round of applauds, As the over-confident head servant of the house, Lever pulled some crazy antics as Babulal and blessed SRK’s movie his own.
7. Housefull 4: After essaying back-to-back quirky characters in the Housefull series, Johnny was seen in one of the funniest avatars in Housefull 4. The comedy of errors received mixed reviews but Johnny once again was successful in making the audience laugh.
8. Khiladi: Johnny as Anna gave comic relief in an intense thriller film by Abbas Mustan. The actor very well knows how to play stereotypes to his advantage and as a lodge owner jiske ‘chhote chhote bacche hain’, Johnny did the same.
9. Kunwara: For those who think Johnny cannot dance, Kunwara is a must-watch for them. The epic dance will not let your laughter rest not for even a second.
10. Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega: Yes, the movie itself was 'inspired' by the Coen Brothers' 1996 classic Fargo but there was one original character in the Hindi version. That of Aslam Bhai, played brilliantly by Johnny Lever. As the small-time gangster who wants nothing more than to become a movie star, Aslam bhai had our sympathies... and laughter throughout the film.
