Showing posts with label Johnny Lever. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Johnny Lever. Show all posts
I learned comedy by watching Akshay Kumar, Johnny Lever, Arshad Warsi-Disha Patani
9:26 AM
Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 3, 2026)
Disha Patani may be basking in the success of Welcome To The Jungle, but the actor says the film gave her a newfound appreciation for comedy — a genre she now believes is among the toughest to master. “Making people laugh is much harder than it looks. The challenge is to make it look effortless and natural,” says Disha, adding, “I’ve also learned a lot just by watching actors on set — Akshay (Kumar) sir, Johnny (Lever) sir and Arshad (Warsi). Observing them really helped me understand comedy as a genre better.”
“It’s not every day that you get to be part of a film with such a huge ensemble cast and so many talented people coming together. I love comedy, and the scale of this film was something that really excited me,” says Disha, adding, “As an actor, I don’t think you focus on competing or proving yourself. You focus on your character, do your best, and trust that if you’re sincere, your work will connect with the audience.”
The success comes at a time when the actor, who made her Bollywood debut with M S Dhoni - The Untold Story (2016) and has since featured in films such as Malang (2020), Ek Villain Returns (2022), Yodha (2024) and Kalki 2898 AD (2024), continues to balance commercial entertainers with action-driven roles.
Despite her strong social media presence and glamorous public image, Disha says she remains deeply introverted. “It hasn’t always been easy, and there have been a lot of challenges along the way, but every experience has taught me something valuable. Being an introvert, it’s not always easy to put yourself out there, but I think that’s part of the process. Looking back, I think the journey has made me stronger, more resilient and more appreciative of every opportunity.”
Asked about the kinds of roles she feels closest to, Disha says she naturally gravitates towards understated characters rather than larger-than-life personas.
“The more quiet, simple and emotionally grounded characters are probably closest to who I am in real life. I’m actually quite reserved and prefer letting my work speak for itself,” she says.
In Welcome To The Jungle, Disha Patani got to be a part of the recreation of Uncha Lamba Kad. The original song from the 2007 film Welcome featured actors Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. Calling the song “iconic”, Patani insists that she was ready for comparisons with Kaif. “Comparisons are inevitable, but our intention was to celebrate a much-loved iconic song and present it in a fresh avatar,” she says.
Next up, Patani will be seen in Awarapan 2 alongside actors Emraan Hashmi and Shabana Azmi, and she calls it a privilege to be associated with the much-loved franchise. “The music of Awarapan (2007) has stayed with audiences, and to be part of a film that carries so much emotion and nostalgia is a privilege. I’ve always admired Shabana ma’am. Her dedication and command over her craft are inspiring. Even Emraan has such a strong understanding of cinema,” she says.
Ask her what is on her radar for future projects, and the actor says that she is keen to explore darker territory on screen. “I’d love to do a psychological thriller or an intense character-driven drama, or even action dramas,” she ends.
Character actor Junior Mehmood passes away
2:35 PM
BOMBAY TIMES (December 9, 2023)
Character actor Junior Mehmood, known for his roles in films like Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Caravan, Haathi Mere Saathi and Mera Naam Joker, died on Friday following a battle with cancer, his son Hasnain said. The actor was 68.
Junior Mehmood, whose real name was Naeem Sayyed, began as a child artiste. He was given the name Junior Mehmood by late comedy icon Mehmood after they starred together in the 1968 film Suhaag Raat. He memorably recreated Mehmood’s song Hum Kaale Hain To Kya Hua from 1965’s Gumnaam for the Shammi Kapoor starrer Brahmachari in 1968.
Several people from the industry met him during his last days, including Johnny Lever, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Jeetendra. Jeetendra had shared screen space with the actor in several movies, including Suhaag Raat and Caravan.
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Jeetendra remembers his co-actor of films like Caravan, Parivar, Vishwas and Jeene Ki Raah
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 9, 2023)
Last afternoon, yesteryear actor Junior Mehmood, who was better known as Junior Mehmood, was laid to rest at the Santacruz burial ground. The actor, 67, passed away on Thursday night, after a battle with stomach cancer. Earlier this week, Jeetendra visited his co-actor of several films like Caravan, Parivar, Vishwas, Apna Bana Lo and Jeene Ki Raah, along with Johny Lever.
Talking about meeting his colleague who played his younger brother Monto in Caravan, Jeetendra said, “Johny Lever called me, saying that Jr Mehmood was suffering from stomach cancer and wanted to meet me. I don’t know why he wanted to see me, but I am happy that I could respect his wishes and meet him before he passed away.”
He was going on his routine Sunday trip to Mount Mary Church, when Lever reached out to him saying it was urgent. Jeetendra shared, “When I went to Jr Mehmood’s home, I was devastated to see the condition he was in. He could not recognize me or talk. He was in too much pain and was unable to even open his eyes. I got extremely emotional when I saw him like this, and his wife Lata too, broke down and started crying when she saw me.”
In the 1970s, films used to take two years to be made. “So, we’d spend a lot of time together on and off the sets.” Jeetendra also remembers meeting Lata when she worked in Sadaa Suhagan (1986) as a co-artiste. “She told me that she was marrying Jr Mehmood. I was happy to hear that and gave them my best wishes. At that time, she said that he looks like me, and I remember that,” he reminisced.
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Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 10, 2023)
Sachin Pilgaonkar wasn’t aware about his childhood friend, late actor Junior Mehmood suffering from stomach cancer. It was only a week ago that he got a call from actor Johnny Lever. Junior Mehmood passed away on December 8 at the age of 68.
“He did not share it with anybody, it was only a few weeks back that he was tested. They discovered cancer had spread all over his body. Doctors didn’t go ahead with chemotherapy as they felt his body would not be able to take it. Johny bhai called and told me. I started crying after that call,” recalls Pilgaonkar.
They started their careers as child actors together, and during the 1960s and 70s, Junior Mehmood rose to stardom in no time. “He used to own an imported car, the only child actor to have it at that time,” shares Pilgaonkar, adding, “We acted as kids in Brahmachari (1968), and I remember, as he had performed to the song Hum Kaale Hain (Gumnaam; 1965) for stage shows, he did so in front of the film’s makers too, and they wanted to include it in the film. He became a big star and one of the highest paid child actors.”
However, life happened to Junior Mehmood soon. He grew out of his cute child phase, and roles started drying up as an adult. Pilgaonkar reveals, “He was satisfied with the work he got as a child, but not as an adult. He would feel the difference when the work lessened.”
The veteran actor would fondly call Junior Mehmood, Nammo. The two shared a close bond, with the latter’s sisters’ paya and khichda being among his favourite dishes. “I will never call this a professional loss, it’s a personal loss,” he ends.
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