Johnny's death wake-up call for me

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><a href="javascript:popUp(&quot1;photopop?msid=101403&voteid=0&type=0&quot1;)"> <#img border=0 src="/cms.dll/thumb?=214&width=214&photoID=101403" hspace=12" align=left></a>I will forever regret that I couldn’t visit Baddruddin Kazi (Johnny Walker), a dear friend, while he was ailing. Some time ago we had a tiff, and he was angry with me.We didn’t interact much after this. <br /><br />Whatever the reason, I know it was my fault. I didn’t realise that time doesn’t stop and pause, especially when you’re in the twilight of your life. Johnny’s death was a rude awakening from my deep slumber. I was so engrossed in worldly activities that I sometimes forgot the presence of death in our lives.<br /><br />Nonetheless, I shudder at the thought that most people belonging to my era are gone today. And the ones left, like Shammi Kapoor, Pran, G P Sippy and some others are ailing or bedridden. It’s scary. Having said this, I’m not scared of death. But I always pray that God makes my death easy. I don’t want a painful death.<br /><br />I’m not exaggerating, but Johnny was a very noble soul. He was a very humourous person with loads of jokes tucked away. He was often called by radio stations for question-and-answer sessions. Interestingly, on many occasions, he would make up the question and answers.<br />We worked together a lot for civic and social projects. He was always there for any kind of eventuality.<br /><br />I first met him on the sets of my film Hulchal. He was very serious at that time. But when he got down to work, he was sincerity personified. Later on, we did about 13 films together, like Dil Diya Dard Liya, Naya Daur, Mazdoor and Madhumati. He was undoubtedly the soul of Hindi cinema’s comedy. I loved his humour.<br /><br />I remember during those days, we had a group. Mukhri, Lata Mangeshkar, P Jairaj, David Abraham, Johnny, Aga, G P Sippy, Pran and I got along famously. We would travel together to places and perform on behalf of the Indian motion picture Industry, on invitation. It brings me great joy just to recall those beautiful, fun-filled days when we shared everything about our lives. We knew each others’ secrets and would pull each others’ legs.<br /><br />Every time there was a function on Independence Day or Republic Day, I was asked by the then defence secretary to get all these people to perform. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru would specially request for these people, especially Johnny and Mukhri. And I could get them as they were my friends.<br /><br />Today that he’s no more, I miss him. May his soul rest in peace.<br /><br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">As told to Afsana Ahmed</span></div> </div>