Johnny Lever is a comedian and an Indian actor. He began his career in the year 1984 and has appeared in more than 350 Bollywood films. Johnny Lever has been honoured with 2 Filmfare awards for Best Comedian. This immensely talented actor has a strange ability to learn languages and their nuances without understanding the language itself. He has appeared in several films, enacting comic and supportive roles. He started of as a comedian in his real life while he was still studying at school. When he started his career as a comedian, he simply used his talent to imitate his teachers, his father and his grandpa. His recent successful films include, Yamla Pagla Deewana, Golmaal 3, Khatta Meetha, De Dana Dan, Race, Fool n Final, Phir Hera Pheri, 36 China Town and others. Johnny Lever is also the president of Mimicry Artist Association Mumbai (MAAM).
Early life of Johnny Lever
John Prakasa Rao Janumala, popularly known as Johnny Lever, was born on 7th January 1950, in Ossalapalle, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh to the parents Prakash Rao Janumala and Karunamma Janumala.
Johnny Lever belonged to a Telugu Christian family and was raised in Mumbai. He studied in Andhra Telugu School upto the 7th standard but discontinued his studies due to financial problems. Johnny began working and did several types of meagre work. Later he started imitating Bollywood actors and did stand-up comedy and eventually became a mimicry artist. Johnny Lever also worked with Hindustan Lever as an employee in a Mumbai factory.
Career of Johnny Lever
During the 1980s, Johnny Lever released his mimicry based audio cassette, Hansee Ke Hungame, which was an instant hit and brought him much adulation and fame. He also appeared in the commercials of Kachua Chhap Macchar Agar Batti, directed by Shekhar Kapoor. Johnny Lever got his first break in the Indian cinema in the film Dard Ka Rishta and owes all the thanks to the much popular actor, late Sunil Dutt. The great actor saw him perform at a charity show organised by Kalyanji-Anandji. Since then he has acted in more than 350 films. Johnny Lever has also acted in Jalwa with Naseeruddin Shah, Khiladi with Akshay Kumar and Baazigar with Shahrukh Khan.
Johnny Lever did a show for Zee TV, named Johny Aala Re.
The show marked the return of Johnny Lever to stand-up comedy routine. He also judged the stand-up reality show Comedy Circus in 2007.
Filmography of Johnny Lever
The most popular films of Johnny Lever include, Love 86, Hatya, Hero Hiralal, Tezaab, Jaadugar, Kishen Kanhaiya, Bandh Darwaza, Chamatkar, Aansoo Bane Angaarey, Anari, Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, Aulad Ke Dushman, Zamane Se Kya Darna, Anjaam, Ekka Raja Rani, Main Khiladi Tu Anadi, Mr Azad, Karan Arjun, Criminal, Ram Shastra, Daraar, Hindustani, Raja Hindustani, Ghunghat, Auzaar, Judaai, Koyla, Deewana Mastana, Yes Boss, Miss 420, Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai, Kareeb, Soldier, Sirf Tum, Baadshah, Hello Brother, Hadh Kar Di Aapne, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, Nayak, Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge, Awara Paagal Deewana, Chalte Chalte, Koi Mil Gaya, Janasheen, Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav, Deewane Huye, Pagal, Masti Express, Bin Bulaye Baraati and many others.
Personal Life of Johnny Lever
Johnny is married to Sujatha and the couple has two children, Jamie, a daughter and Jesse, a son.
Jimmy Moses, his brother, is another popular stand-up comedian who appeared on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and Comedy Circus.
Johnny Lever enjoyed working with great comic actors like Paresh Rawal, Anupam Kher, Shahrukh Khan and Govinda. He also wishes that the comedians would be given the same kind of respect that they get abroad. He has created a style of his own in spite of mimicking many well-known celebrities. It is this talent of his, which makes him unique among the other comedians. With his short stature and dark complexion he went on to create history in the genre of comedy. After Sunil Dutt gave him the first break things started moving on and he never had to look back since then.
