“Salman Was Moody, Shah Rukh Was Weak In Dancing”: Johnny Lever Talks About Working With Khans In ‘Karan Arjun’
Johnny Lever recently opened up about working with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in hit Bollywood movie ‘Karan Arjun’.
Indian actor and comedian Johnny Lever, who made his debut in the 1985 movie ‘Tum Par Hum Qurban’, came into the limelight with his role in the 1993 film ‘Baazigar’. Throughout his career spanning several decades, Johnny Lever has showcased his versatility by portraying a wide range of comedic characters in over 300 films. Some of his notable performances include ‘Deewana Mastana’, ‘Dulhe Raja’, ‘Judaai’, ‘Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge’, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, ‘Phir Hera Pheri’, ‘Housefull 2’ and more.
The veteran actor recently opened up about his childhood, struggle to fame, his journey in Bollywood and more during a conversation with Ranveer Allahbadia for his YouTube channel. Johnny Lever also spilled the beans on working with the Khans.
Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan first shared screen space in Rakesh Roshan’s 1995 film ‘Karan Arjun’. Johnny Lever, who was also a part of the film, shared his memories from those days. He also said that there was a huge difference between Salman and Shah Rukh’s approach towards performing their scenes and both had different ways of preparing for their projects.
In his chat with Ranveer Allahbadia, Johnny Lever said that Salman Khan would casually give an okay take but they would have to do multiple retakes when they were working with Shah Rukh.
Johnny Lever said, “Dekhiye Shah Rukh Khan jo haine…humne saath mein Baazigar mein kaam kiya 1991 mein. Usse pehle vo Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman mein aaye the. Fir bhi itna famous nahi the, even shooting mein bhi log unse zyada mujhe jaante the. Hum log Baazigar ki shooting kar rahe the Delhi mein, main star tha tab vahan pe. Shah Rukh Khan upcoming tha. Aur hum log ki bahut achhi mohabbat thi. Merko bahut pyaar karte the.”
He further said, “Us aadmi jaisa mehnati maine nahi dekha. Bahut mehenti. Akshay ko bhi dekha… bahut mehenti lekin mehnat mehnat mein farak hota hai. Jo aapko aata hai vo toh aap karenge he lekin jo nahi aata vo karna, vo bahut mushkil hai.”
“Shah Rukh Khan fight mein kamzor the. Dance mein kamzor the. Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan hum log kar rahe hain Karan Arjun. Usme Salman Khan take karta tha. Inki vajah se retake ho jaata tha. Fir kar rahe hain… fir kar rahe hain. Shooting ke baad fir hotel mein jaake, lobby mein kahin kamra leke udhar practise kar rahe hain. Salman firki leta tha… mazak udata tha Shah Rukh Khan ka. Vo aadmi karke apne aapko ko banaya aisa. Dance mein bhi badiya ban gaye, fight mein bhi badiya ban gaye. Akshay toh maahir hai,” Johnny Lever further said.
“Bahut mazak masti bhi hoti thi set pe. Salman jo haine vo moody aadmi hai. Vo free hai, vo zyada tension leta nahi hai. Vo mast hai… ajeeb character hai, apni dhun mein rehta hai. Shah Rukh Khan apne kaam ko leke serious. Yaar main kya karu vo yehi sochta rehta tha. Toh Salman bolta tha laga hua hai. Main apna karke nikal jaunga, ye toh laga hua hai. Toh Shah Rukh Khan detail mein ghusta tha. Toh ye nature ki baat hai. Salman apne jagah hai, Shah Rukh Khan apne jagah hai,” Johnny Lever added.
Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan later shared screen space in Karan Johar’s ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’. The two appeared in cameos in each other’s films ‘Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega’, ‘Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam’ and ‘Zero’.
Recently, the two became a part of the YRF Spy Universe as Shah Rukh Khan joined the franchise with his film ‘Pathaan’. Salman Khan appeared in a cameo in the film, and a few months later, Shah Rukh Khan too, appeared in Salman’s ‘Tiger 3’.
There have been rumours that the two might star in a film titled ‘Tiger vs Pathaan’, but YRF is yet to make an announcement about it.
