Saturday, 8 June 2013

Johnny Lever

Original Name:  Johnny Rao
Nick Name:  Lallu
Date of Birth (Birthday):   7 Jan, 1950
Eye Color:  Black
Hair Color:  Black
Birth Place:  Andhrapradesh
Religion:  Christian
Education:  Andhra Educational Society
Marital Status:  Married
Languages:  Hindi, English
John Prakasa Rao Janumala (born 14 August 1957, in Prakasam), better known as Johnny Lever, is an Indian film actor and one of the most popular comedians in Hindi cinema.[1]
Johnny has received 13 Filmfare Awards nominations in Best Comedian Category, and has won the award twice. He began his career in 1984, and has acted in more than 300 Bollywood films since.

Lever was born to Prakash Rao Janumala and Karunamma Janumala in Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh, India. He was brought up in Mumbai's King's Circle area (Dharavi). His mother tongue is Telugu.[2] Johnny studied in Andhra Telugu School till the seventh grade but couldn't study further because of financial problems in his family, after which he decided to leave school and started working different kinds of odd jobs, such as selling pens on the streets of Bombay by imitating Bollywood stars and dancing to the songs of Bollywood stars. He also spent his early ages in Yakutpura a old city of Hyderabad from where he learnt the unique style of comedy acting. He developed a passion for mimicry and stand-up comedy, inspired by watching comedians like Johnny Walker, Kishore Kumar and Mehmood in films and mimicry artists like Dinesh Hingoo and Nerella Venumadhav on stage, and thus decided to be a mimicry artist. To seek guidance and help regarding mimicry, he met his mentor Pratap Jani and mimicry artist Ram Kumar, who helped him and taught him the basics of mimicry.
Lever was also employed in Hindustan Lever's factory in Mumbai with his father. While working, he entertained his co-workers in the factory by imitating Elvis Presley. At one of the functions at his factory he was asked to perform and show his talent. His popularity among coworkers and officers of the factory by his performance earned him the nickname "Johnny Lever".
He started to perform in musical shows (orchestras) Tabassum Hit Parade and after earning fame, joined the group of Kalyanji-Anandji, a legendary music direction duo. He did a lot of shows and world tours with them, one of his first big tours being with Amitabh Bachchan in 1982.
During this period he learned a lot from his mentor Kalyanji, who was described by Lever as a great philosopher and a very humorous person. At one of his shows, actor Sunil Dutt noticed his talent and potential and offered him his first movie Dard Ka Rishta.
In the 1980s, he released his mimicry/comedy album, Hansee Ke Hungame, which became a hit in India and the world over, increasing his fame to another level. During this time period, he also did few commercials for Kachua chhap incense, directed by Shekhar Kapoor.
In 1986, he performed in a charity show called "Hope 86", in front of the whole Hindi film industry as a filler and was loved by audience. His talent was recognised, which resulted in producer Gul Anand offering him a film called Jalwa with Naseeruddin Shah. He is considered an influential Indian comedian who has been cited as inspiration by many other comics.

Career

Audio career

Johnny started his mass career by releasing an album where he mimicked various Bollywood stars and created a few famous characters in the process; Chela Ramani being one. Some famous sketches in the album included "Sky Lab", "Madrasi Anna Cricket", "Pathan in the bus", "Hijra Kabaddi" and "Chela Ramani".

Film career

Lever got his first break in Tum Par Hum Qurban in which the famous TV and Stage compere and yesteryears actress Baby Tabassum launched her son Hoshang Govil as the leading man, and then with the film Dard Ka Rishta, thanks to Tabassum ji and the late Sunil Dutt. Since then, he has acted in more than 350 films including films like Tezaab, Kasam, Khatarnak and Kishen Kanhaiya . After Dard Ka Rishta, he was seen in Jalwa with Naseerudin Shah, but his first major success came with Baazigar, and after that he was seen in almost every movie as a supporting actor/comedian. Despite being busy with his many movie roles, he continued to do live shows. One of his most memorable live performances was an impersonation of Michael Jackson at the 1999 Filmfare Awards. His most acclaimed performance was the character of "Babulal" in the film, Baazigar, directed by Abbas-Mustan. He is also remembered for some of his other famous characters, like "Chotta Chattri", "Aslam Bhai", etc. His performance in the film, Judaai and his famous dialogues in the movie, Abba Dabba Jabba are also unforgettable.[3]
His first Tamil feature film was Anbirkku Alavillai[4] produced by SIMPL (Shepherd India Media Pvt. Ltd.), released in 2011. He also had a special appearance in one Telugu feature film, Criminal directed by Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt.

Television career

Lever also appeared on Zee TV, in his own show, Johny Aala Re.[5] In 2007, he appeared as a judge on the stand-up reality show Comedy Circus.
He is also the president of CINTAA (Cine And T.V. Artist Association) which has its own television show called Superstars ka Jalwa on Star Plus. He is also the president of MAAM (Mimicry Artist Association Mumbai), and has done thousands of live shows all over the world. His younger brother, Jimmy Moses, is also a comedian and mimicry artist.[6]

Personal life

He is married to Sujatha and has two children, a daughter Jamie and a son Jesse.[7] His brother Jimmy Moses is also a famous stand-up comic who has worked on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and Comedy Circus.

Controversies

In 1998, Lever was convicted and sentenced to seven days imprisonment for disrespecting the Indian National Anthem, constitution and the flag at a private function hosted by Anees Ibrahim Kaskar, brother of global terrorist Dawood Ibrahim.[8] However all charges against him were dropped and he was sent home within one day.[citation needed]

Filmography

Playback singer

Awards

See also

  • List of Indian comedians
  • List of stand-up comedians
  • Johny Aala Re

Posted by Unknown at 05:48 0 comments

John Abraham

John Abraham (born 17 December 1972) is an Indian film actor, producer and former model. After modelling for numerous advertisements and companies, Abraham made his film debut with Jism (2003), which earned him a Filmfare Best Debut Award nomination.[1] This was followed by his first commercial success, Dhoom (2004). He received two Filmfare Award nominations, for his negative roles in Dhoom, and in Zinda (2006). He later appeared in the major critical success Water (2005).[2] He was nominated for a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film Baabul (2006). In 2012, he produced his first film Vicky Donor, which was a critical and commercial success, and earned him a National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. He then established his own production house, John Abraham Entertainment. He has thus established himself as one of the leading contemporary actors of Hindi cinema.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IMpOJ-OuZL4/TgHyxYKzFiI/AAAAAAAABiM/6oGQNeRkMDQ/s1600/John-Abraham-Photos-10.jpg

Early life and education

John was born in Mumbai to a Malayali father and a Parsi mother. His father, Abraham John, is an architect from Aluva, Kerala; his mother is named Firoza Irani. Abraham's Parsi name is "Farhan" while his father being a Marthomite Syrian Christian named him "John".[3][4][5] He has a sister Susy Mathew[6][7][8] and younger brother, Alan. Abraham studied at Bombay Scottish School, Mahim in Mumbai. He got his bachelor's degree in economics from Jai Hind College. John also received an MMS from Mumbai Educational Trust (MET).

Modeling

John Abraham started his modelling career appearing in the music video of the song "Surma" by Punjabi singer Jazzy B.[14] He then joined a media firm Time & Space Media Entertainment Promotions Ltd., which, however, closed because of financial problems. Later, he worked for Enterprises-Nexus as a media planner.[15] In 1999, he won the Gladrags Manhunt Contest and went to the Philippines for Manhunt International, where he won second place.[16] Following this, he was signed by Carrie Models in Singapore and did some modelling there; he later modelled in Hong Kong, London and New York City. He also appeared in a number of commercial advertisements and in other music videos for singers including Pankaj Udhas, Hans Raj Hans and Babul Supriyo. To improve his acting skills, Abraham joined the Kishore Namit Kapoor acting laboratory and completed an acting course while juggling modelling assignments.[17]

http://media1.santabanta.com/full1/Indian%20%20Celebrities(M)/John%20Abraham/joh11a.jpgActor

Abraham made his acting debut with Jism (2003), a thriller film which according to Box Office India, was "above average" grossing 132,500,000 Rs.[18]
His next films included a paranormal thriller Saaya (2003), Pooja Bhatt's directorial debut Paap (2004) and Ahmed Khan's Lakeer – Forbidden Lines (2004).
He played the role of Kabir – the main antagonist in Dhoom in 2004, an action film produced by Yash Raj Films. The film was one of the highest grossing films of that year.[19]
In 2005 he starred in the supernatural thriller Kaal and the comedy Garam Masala both of which did well at the box office.[20] Later that year, he had a role in Water, which portrayed the tragic fate of Hindu widows in British India of the 1930s. The film was written and directed by independent Canadian film-maker Deepa Mehta. It was popular internationally, and was nominated for the 2006 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 79th Academy Awards.[citation needed]
In the summer of 2006, Abraham performed at the "Rockstars Concert" along with fellow Bollywood actors Salman Khan, Zayed Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Esha Deol, Shahid Kapoor and Mallika Sherawat.[21] In that same year, he starred in the films Zinda, Taxi No. 9211, Baabul and Kabul Express.[22] Among these Taxi No. 9211 and Kabul Express were substantially successful.
Nikhil Advani's multi-starrer Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love was Abraham's first release in 2007. The movie failed to do well at the Indian box office,[23] though it did well in the overseas markets.[24] His last two 2007 releases included the arthouse thriller No Smoking and the sports film Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal.
In 2008, Abraham starred alongside Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra in Dostana, his only release that year. His first release of 2009 was a production by Yash Raj Films, New York.
He has a fashion line— branded JA Clothes — which primarily features his favorite article of clothing, jeans.[25]
In 2011, was seen in the films Aashayein and Jhootha Hi Sahi. Both of the films turned out to be box office failures. Lately, Abraham has appeared in films Force (2011), Desi Boyz (2011), and Housefull 2 (2012). His first film of 2013 was Race 2 which was a multi starrer and a commercial hit while his second release was I, Me Aur Main, which did average business. His next release was Shootout at Wadala, in which he was portraying the role of Manya Surve. Shootout at Wadala was a hit at the box office.

Producer

His debut film as a producer was titled Vicky Donor (2012) and featured Ayushmann Khurrana, Annu Kapoor and Yami Gautam. Abraham also appeared in an item-number for the film.[26] It opened to positive response, and turned out to be a critical and commercial success.[27] He is currently working on his second production, Madras Cafe which will also be directed by Shoojit Sircar. Abraham has also announced his ideas on Hamara Bajaj, an upcoming reality film he is planning with most of the cast & crew of Vicky Donor.

Personal life

During the filming of Jism in 2002, Abraham began to date his co-star Bipasha Basu. They were in a relationship untill early 2011 when the couple officially broke up.[28][29][30][31][32] Whilst together, the two were often referred to as a supercouple in the Indian media.[33] He is now in a relationship with Priya Runchal, an NRI financial analyst and investment banker from USA native to McLeodganj, whom he met in Mumbai, in December, 2010.[34]

Social causes

Abraham takes an interest in PETA and Habitat for Humanity.[35][36] He donated INR1 millions to the Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, according to his website.[37]
In January 2009, Abraham led a group of Indian celebrities in the Mumbai Marathon, an annual event to benefit the United Way.[38]
In April 2013 on behalf of PETA Abraham wrote a letter to Minister for Environment and Forests, Jayanthi Natarajan, asking that she make all circuses in India animal-free.[39][40]

Filmography

Actor

Year Film Role Notes
2003 Jism Kabir Lal Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut
2003 Saaya Dr.Akash / "Akki"
2004 Aetbaar Aryan Trivedi
2004 Paap Shiven
2004 Lakeer – Forbidden Lines Saahil
2004 Dhoom Kabir Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role
2004 Madhoshi Aman
2005 Elaan Abhimanyu
2005 Karam John
2005 Kaal Krish Thapar
2005 Viruddh Amar Patwardhan
2005 Water Narayan
2005 Garam Masala Shyam / "Sam"
2005 Shikhar Himself Special appearance
2006 Zinda Rohit Chopra Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role
2006 Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna
Special appearance in the song "Where's The Party Tonight?"
2006 Taxi No. 9211 Jai Mittal
2006 Baabul Rajat Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor
2006 Kabul Express Sohail Khan
2007 Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love Ashutosh Raina
2007 Hattrick
Special appearance in the song "Wicket Bacha"
2007 No Smoking K
2007 Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal Sunny Bhasin
2008 Dostana Kunal
2009 Luck by Chance Himself Special appearance
2009 Little Zizou Arjun Special appearance
2009 New York Samir / "Sam"
2010 Aashayein Rahul Sharma
2010 Jhootha Hi Sahi Sid
2011 7 Khoon Maaf Jimmy Stetson
2011 Mere Brother Ki Dulhan Himself Special appearance
2011 Force ACP Yashvardhan
2011 Desi Boyz Nick Mathur / "Hunter"
2012 Housefull 2 Max
2012 Vicky Donor
Special appearance in the song "Rum Whisky"
2013 Race 2 Armaan Malik
2013 I, Me, aur Main Ishaan Sabharwal
2013 Shootout at Wadala Manya Surve
2013 Madras Cafe
Post-production
Releasing 30 August 2013
2014 Dostana 2
Announced
2014 Welcome Back
Announced

Producer

Year Film Notes
2012 Vicky Donor National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Film
2013 Hamara Bajaj Pre-production
2013 Madras Cafe coming soon

Awards and nominations

National Film Awards
Won
  • 2013: National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Vicky Donor
Filmfare Awards
Nominated
  • 2004: Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for Jism
  • 2005: Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role for Dhoom [41]
  • 2007: Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role for Zinda[citation needed]
  • 2007: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Baabul
  • 2013: Filmfare Award for Best Film for Vicky Donor[citation needed]
IIFA Awards
Won
  • 2005: IIFA Best Villain Award for Dhoom [42]
Nominated
Zee Cine Awards
Won
  • 2005: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role for Dhoom[citation needed]
Nominated
  • 2007: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role for Zinda[citation needed]
Star Screen Awards
Won
Bollywood Movie Awards
Won
Nominated
  • 2007: Bollywood Movie Award - Best Supporting Actor for Baabul [43]
Stardust Awards
Won
Global Indian Film Awards
Nominated

Other awards

  • 2006: Rajiv Gandhi Award for his achievement in Bollywood[44]
  • 2007: Giant International Awards for his contribution to Indian cinema[45]
  • 2008: Sexiest Asian Man[46]
  • 2009: Lions Club Award[citation needed]
  • 2011: India's Sexiest Bachelor by the BIG CBS PRIME[47]


Posted by Unknown at 04:46 0 comments
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Jitender

Original Name:  Ravi Kapoor
Date of Birth (Birthday):  April 7, 1942
Zodiac Sign:  Aries
Eye Color:  Black
Hair Color:  Black
Birth Place:  Amritsar, Punjab
Religion:  Hindu
Marital Status:  Married
Jeetendra Kapoor was born on 7 April 1942 in Amritsar, Punjab to Amarnath and Krishna Kapoor whose business dealt with imitation jewellery.[citation needed] He attended St. Sebastian’s Goan High School in Girgaum, with his friend Rajesh Khanna and later on went to K.C. College. While supplying jewellery to V. Shantaram, he was cast as Sandhya's double in the 1959 movie "Navrang".[citation needed]

http://cdn1.iloveindia.com/lounge/images/jeetendra.jpgCareer

Jeetendra's active acting career spanned the 1960s to the 1990s. Jeetendra was frequently paired with Sridevi or Jaya Pradha for remakes of South Indian films by Rama Rao Tatineni, K. Bapayya and K. Raghavendra Rao; these included Justice Chaudhry (1982), Mawaali (1983), Himmatwala (1983), Jaani Dushman, and Tohfa (1984). He also did many Telugu remakes in Hindi of Krishna's movies and had very close association with him.
Besides these south indian remakes, there was a subdued side of Jeetendra whenever he'd worked with the writer/lyricist Gulzar in films like Parichay, Kinara (1977 film) and Khushboo (1975 film) that had several beautifully penned songs like 'O Majhi Re', 'Musafir Hoon Yaaron', and 'Naam Gum Jaayega', composed by Rahul Dev Burman and sung by Kishore Kumar.

He appeared in the TV serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi in the role of an old man. He was one of the judges of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (Indian Dance Series), an Indian dance competition on Sony Entertainment Television.[citation needed] He was also a judge with Hema Malini of a competition called Dancing Queen.[citation needed]

Personal life

In her authorized biography, Hema Malini claimed that they almost got married, but she backed out.[1] He married his childhood sweetheart, Shobha Kapoor, and has a daughter, Ekta Kapoor, who runs Balaji Telefilms and a son who is also an actor, Tusshar Kapoor.[citation needed]
Jeetendra made a brief appearance in one of his daughter's produced films Kucch To Hai (2002) where he appeared alongside his son Tusshar.[citation needed]

Awards, honours and recognitions

  • 1998 – Guest of Honour Award at the 18th Ujala Cinema Express Awards [2]
  • 2000 – Lifetime Achievement Award in film personalities [3]
  • 2002 – Lifetime Achievement Award at the Zee Gold Bollywood Movie Awards in New York.[4]
  • 2003 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2004 – "Legend of Indian Cinema" Award at Atlantic City (United States).[5]
  • 2005 – Screen Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2008 – Sansui Television Lifetime Achievement Award [6]
  • 2012 – Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement
  • 2012 – Lions Gold Awards: Most Evergreen Romantic Hero[7

  • 1959 - 1965

  • Navrang (1959)
  • Geet Gaya Patharon Ne (1964) … Vijay

http://content.bollywoodhungama.com/image/display%20image/585xdynamic%20jpeg/61739825.jpg 

1966 - 1970

1971 - 1975

1976 - 1980

1981 - 1985

1986 - 1990

1991 - 1995

1996 - current


Posted by Unknown at 04:24 0 comments
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