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I.S. Johar

I.S. Johar

Actor, writer and director, also producer · Died March 10, 1984, aged 64 · Tollagannj, British India [now Pakistan]

Indra Sen Johar (February 16, 1920 – March 10, 1984), better known as I. S. Johar, was an Indian actor, writer, producer and director best known for his comedies satirizing Indian traditions, values, institutions, hierarchies, and government policies.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 16, 1920
Died
March 10, 1984 (aged 64)
From
Tollagannj, British India [now Pakistan]
Works as
Actor, writer and director, also producer
Titles
12 on MovieCove · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 33% in 30 days

What are I.S. Johar's films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Musical2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile
: browse their Musical movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
42%
Morality
36%
Power
14%
Self
4%
Survival
3%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 6 · Serious 3 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 5 · Intense 4

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 2 of 5 analyzed roles.

Hero
2 of 5
Trickster
1 of 5
Ally
1 of 5
Mentor
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Joyful
4
Thrilling
5
Bittersweet
3
Romantic
3
Other
8

How their films linger

Feel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet6

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch I.S. Johar's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 11 of their 12 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for I.S. Johar's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

61 credits, 12 with a MovieCove page.

  • Bad Aur Badnaam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Malpani (uncredited)

  • Gopichand Jasoos (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Ram Rokada / No. 256

  • Heeron Ka Chor(1982)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Do Posti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Makhan

  • Be-Reham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Police Inspector Malpani

  • Death on the Nile(1978)

    as Mr. Choudhury

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Ganga Ki Saugand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Birju Master

  • Vasectomy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director

  • Saheb Bahadur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Prof. Rampyare

  • 5 Rifles(1974)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Harfan Mama

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Trimurti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Shadilal

  • Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Playback Singer · as Seth Sohrabji Bandookwala

  • Prem Shastra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Joshila (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Raunaq Singh

  • Gomti Ke Kinare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Seth Chellamal

  • Dastaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Writer · as Birbal

  • Chhoti Bahu(1971)

    as Premnath (Niku's dad)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Aage Barho (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Actor

  • Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Writer · Actor

  • Johny Mera Naam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Pehla Ram/Dooja Ram/Teeja Ram

  • Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Kalidas (Neela's brother)

  • Pavitra Papi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Adarshan Lala

  • Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Sukha

  • Haye Mera Dil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Sokhanlal

  • Shrimanji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Anita (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Shagird (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Raaz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Rakharam Singh 'Rocky'

  • Maya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as One-Eye

  • Akalmand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Johar in Kashmir(1966)

    Director · Producer · Writer · Actor

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bheegi Raat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Jhootlingam

  • Johar-Mehmood in Goa(1965)

    Director · Producer · as Ram

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Teen Devian(1965)

    as I.S. Johar

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • April Fool (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • The Mystery of the Indian Temple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Gopal

  • Kali-Yug, Goddess of Vengeance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Gopal

  • Lawrence of Arabia(1962)

    as Gasim

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Maa Beta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Bishan Sahay

  • Mr. India (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Writer · as Gullu Lala / Jung Bahadur

  • Bewaqoof(1960)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Johar

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • North West Frontier(1959)

    as Gupta

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Goonj Uthi Shehnai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Kanhaiya

  • Harry Black and the Tiger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Bapu

  • Ek Gaon Ki Kahani(1957)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Kitna Badal Gaya Insaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Director · Actor

  • Miss India (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Director

  • Miss 56 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Writer

  • Durgesh Nandini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Hum Sab Chor Hain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Director · Story · Actor

  • Paisa Hi Paisa(1956)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Chandni Chowk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Writer

  • Nagin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Actor

  • Nastik (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Director · as Joker

  • Hamdard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Writer

  • Shrimati Ji (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Director · Scenario Writer · as Chhoturam

  • Dholak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Writer

  • Afsana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Screenplay · Story · Writer

  • Ek Thi Larki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Writer · as Sohan

  • Ek Teri Nishani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    Actor

  • Shalimar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    Writer

Career shape

Star power in the 78th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 57 titles from 1946 to 1984; peak year 1962.

Biggest box office

Death on the Nile (1978)

$15M worldwide

Highest rated

Death on the Nile (1978)

Midcredits 89th

Film career

19461984

Peak 1962 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting49 of 57: 36 only acting, 13 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thDirecting10 of 57: 2 only directing, 8 with another roleWriting14 of 57: 6 only writing, 8 with another roleProducing2 of 57: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleOther crew1 of 57: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

57 titles, 13 with more than one role — acting and writing overlap on 8 of them.

By decade

1940s3 · 2 acting · 2 crew1950s16 · 10 acting · 10 crew1960s17 · 17 acting · 3 crew1970s17 · 16 acting · 6 crew1980s4 · acting

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do I.S. Johar's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 57th percentile, the median of all 12; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 45th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

4thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 12 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

5 of their 12 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser2
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor, director, writer, producer

5 Rifles (1974)

94th percentile spread · 29% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Midcredits 98th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 3 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does I.S. Johar work with?

People who share at least 2 of I.S. Johar's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Anandji Veerji Shah shares the most, 4.

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers