Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Controversies
9
Filmography
9.1
Playback singer
10
Awards
11
See also
12
References
13
External links
Early life[edit]
Lever was born in a Telugu Christian family,[6] to Prakash Rao Janumala, an oper
ator in Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) plant[7] and Karunamma Janumala in Prakasam, A
ndhra Pradesh, India. He was brought up in Mumbai's King's Circle area (Dharavi)
. His mother tongue is Telugu.[8] He is the eldest in the family consisting of t
hree sisters and two brothers (including his younger brother Jimmy Moses).
Education and early jobs[edit]
Lever studied in Andhra education society English high school[9] till the sevent
h grade but couldn't study further because of financial problems in his family.
He decided to leave school and started working odd jobs, such as selling pens on
the streets of Mumbai by imitating Bollywood stars and dancing to the songs of
Bollywood stars. He also spent his early years in Yakutpura, an old city of Hyde
rabad where he learnt the unique style of comedy acting.[10]
Coining of his stage name - Johnny Lever[edit]
During a Hindustan Lever Ltd company function, he mimicked a few senior officers
, and from that day on, the workers said he was not John Rao (his real name), he
was Johnny Lever. When he later joined the industry, he decided to keep the nam
e.[11]
Entertainment career[edit]
He started to perform stand-up comedy in musical shows (orchestras), Tabassum Hi
t Parade and after earning fame, joined the group of Kalyanji-Anandji, a legenda
ry music direction duo. Even before joining Hindustan Lever, he was giving stage
performances. As because of his growing absenteeisms and since he was earning w
ell from stage shows, he quit HLL in the year 1981. He did a lot of shows and wo
rld tours with them, one of his first big tours being with Amitabh Bachchan in 1
982. At one of his shows, actor Sunil Dutt noticed his talent and potential and
offered him his first movie Dard Ka Rishta.
During this period, he also did few commercials for Kachua chhap incense, direct
ed by Shekhar Kapoor. In 1986, he performed in a charity show called "Hope 86",
in front of members of the Hindi film industry as a filler and was loved by audi
ence. His talent was recognised, which resulted in producer Gul Anand offering h
im a film called Jalwa alongside Naseeruddin Shah.[12][13]
Film career[edit]
1980s[edit]
Lever got his first break in Tum Par Hum Qurban in which the famous TV and stage
compre and yesteryears actress Baby Tabassum launched her son Hoshang Govil as t
he leading man, and then with the film Dard Ka Rishta, thanks to Tabassum and th
e late Sunil Dutt. Since then, he has acted in more than 350 films including fil
ms like Tezaab, Kasam, Khatarnak and Kishen Kanhaiya . After Dard Ka Rishta, he
was seen in Jalwa with Naseeruddin Shah.
1990s[edit]
His first major success came with Baazigar, and after that he was seen in movies
as a supporting actor/comedian. Despite being busy with his movie roles, he con
tinued to do live shows. One of his most memorable live performances was an impe
rsonation of Michael Jackson at the 1999 Filmfare Awards. His most acclaimed per
formance 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 "Ch
otta Chattri", "Aslam Bhai", etc. His performance in the film, Judaai and his di
alogue in the movie, Abba Dabba Jabba are also notable.[14]
2010s[edit]
He also acted in a Tulu movie, Rang. He also speaks Tulu fluently, influenced by
his neighbours in Mumbai.[15] His first Tamil feature film was Anbirkku Alavill
ai[16] 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 B
ollywood director Mahesh Bhatt.[17]
Television career[edit]
Lever also appeared on Zee TV in his own show, Johny Aala Re.[18] In 2007, he ap
peared as a judge on the stand-up reality show Comedy Circus.
He is the president of Cine And T.V. Artist Association (CINTAA), which has its
own television show called Superstars ka Jalwa on Star Plus. He is also the pres
ident of MAAM (Mimicry Artist Association Mumbai), and has done thousands of liv
e shows all over the world. His younger brother, Jimmy Moses, is also a comedian
and mimicry artist.[19]
Personal life[edit]
He is married to Sujatha and has two children, a daughter Jamie who is a stand-u
p comedian too and a son Jesse.[20]
Lever is a practicing Christian. When asked about his transition, Lever replied:
It was God s will. I had always been a religious person, but one incident changed
my life. My son was diagnosed with cancer. I was helpless and turned to God for
help. I stopped working in films and spent all my time praying for him. Ten days
later, when he was taken for a test, the doctors were surprised because the can
cer had vanished. It was the beginning of a new life for me.[21]
Controversies[edit]
In 1998, Lever was convicted and sentenced to seven days imprisonment for disres
pecting the Indian National Anthem, constitution and the flag at a private funct
ion hosted by Anees Ibrahim Kaskar, brother of global terrorist Dawood Ibrahim,
head of the infamous D-Company.[22] However, he was relieved of all charges subs
equently.
Filmography[edit]
Year
Title Role
Notes
1981
Yeh Rishta Na Tootay
1982
Ek daav Bhutacha
Fake Mantrik
Marathi Film
1985
Tum Par Hum Quarban
1986
Love 86 Uttam 14 February 1986
Main Balwaan
28 November 1986
1987
Jalwa Muthu (The Masseur)
23 January 1987
1988
Ghar Mein Ram Gali Mein Shyam Srivastav's Servant
15 January 1988
Kasam
15 April 1988
Hatya Black Smith
3 June 1988
Aakhri Adalat Havaldar
10 June 1988
Hero Hiralal
Police constable
21 October 1988
Tezaab Kainchi choot 10 November 1988
1989
Suryaa
10 February 1989
Ilaaka
(12 May 1989)
Mujrim Shankar's PA
28 June 1989
Jaadugar
Nilkant 25 August 1989
Kala Bazar
Kutti Chai Walla
6 October 1989
Chaalbaaz
Special appearance as Johny Baba Tantrik
8 December 1989
Main Azaad Hoon Protester (Uncredited) 15 December 1989
1990
Kafan
Khatarnak (Marathi)
POlice inspector
Marathi Film
Bandh Darwaza cameo role in Party
1 June 1990
Kishen Kanhaiya Lobo
9 March 1990
Raeeszada
13 September 1991
1991
Ajooba Kudrat Ka
Vishnu-Devaa
Havaldar No. 1 15 February 1991
Narsimha
Tempo Dada
5 July 1991
1992
Jungle Ka Beta
Geet Milan Ke Gaate Rehenge
Khiladi Anna Pillai
(5 January 1992)
Humla Shiva's Friend 29 May 1992
Chamatkar
Cricket Commentator
8 July 1992
1993
Insaniyat Ke Devta
Muthuswamy
12 February 1993
Teri Payal Meree Geet
Yugandhar (1993 film)
January, 1993
Aasoo Bane Angaarey
3 November 1993
Anari Bablu 26 March 1993
Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja
Sub Inspector Rang Birangi
16 April 1993
Anmol Himself (Special appearance)
(27 August 1993)
Santan Kalia (12 November 1993)
Baazigar
Babulal (12 November 1993)
Aulad Ke Dushman
Johny (3 December 1993)
Bhagyawan
(10 December 1993)
1994
Masti
Mahakaal
1994
Zamane Se Kya Darna
(14 January 1994)
Kanoon
(1 April 1994)
Anjaam Champa Chameli (22 April 1994)
Saajan Ka Ghar
(29 April 1994)
Ekka Raja Rani Guruji (Dancemaster)
(24 June 1994)
Juaari Salim Tension (8 July 1994)
Prem Yog
(23 August 1994)
Main Khiladi Tu Anari Dhansukh
(23 September 1994)
Criminal
as Himself
(14 October 1994)
Yaar Ghaddar
Police Inspector
(4 November 1994)
Mr Azad
(23 December 1994)
1995
Inteqam Ke Sholey
Dilbar (1994 film)
Karan Arjun
Linghaiyya
(13 January 1995)
Rock Dancer
Police Inspector
(3 November 1995)
Ram Shastra
Reporter Raja (9 November 1995)
Haqeeqat
Tony
(29 December 1995)
1996
Jaan
Damru (17 May 1996)
Himmatwar
(14 June 1996)
Hahakar Chamcha (5 July 1996)
Daraar Hari
(5 July 1996)
Indian PaneerSelvam (aka Subhar Lal in Hindi version (July 1996) (Dubbed as H
industani in Hindi)
Bhishma Natwar (26 July 1996)
Sapoot Deva
(9 August 1996)
Raja Hindustani Balvant Singh (15 November 1996)
Dushman Duniya Ka
Head Master
(20 September 1996)
1997
Jodidar Agarbatti / Pens / Bangles / Sarees salesman
Daayen
Ghunghat
Pandit Vishwanat
(12 July 1996)
Judaai Hiralal (1 February 1997)
Auzaar Peter (28 February 1997)
Kaalia Khan Dada
(28 March 1997)
Himalay Putra Joe
(4 April 1997)
Agni Morcha
(4 April 1997)
Koyla Shanker's Friend
(18 April 1997)
Do Ankhen Barah Hath
Rickshaw Walla (11 July 1997)
Yes Boss
Madhav Advani, aka MAD (18 July 1997)
Judge Mujrim
Havaldar Amar Lokhande (12 September 1997)
Krishna Arjun Rocky (18 August 1997)
Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi
Bandaged patient on street
(10 October 1997)
Deewana Mastana Ghafoor (23 October 1997)
Ishq
Ranjit's brother-in-law (28 November 1997)
1998
Barsaat Ki Raat
Yeh Aashiqui Meri
(16 January 1998)
Miss 420
Tony Fernandes (23 January 1998)
Ustadon Ke Ustad
(20 March 1998)
De Dana Dan
Kala Krishna Murari
(27 November 2009)
2010
Dulha Mil Gaya Krish (8 January 2010)
Bhavnaon Ko Samjho
Vivaah Marriage Bureau (15 January 2010)
Prem Kaa Game Ramnik Chedda (26 February 2010)
Khatta Meetha Anshuman
(23 July 2010)
Golmaal 3
Pappi Bhai
(5 November 2010)
2011
Love Mein Ghum
(Pakistani movie) (31 August 2011)
Yamla Pagla Deewana
Jeweller
14 January 2011
Anbirkku Alavillai
Johnny Bhai
(scheduled for release in 2011)
Masti Express
(18 February 2011)
Bin Bulaye Baraati
Sajjan Singh
(June 2011
Tell Me O Khuda Pandurang P.
(27 October 2011)
2012
Players MC
(6 January 2012)
Chaar Din Ki Chandni
Paan Singh
(9 March 2012)
Housefull 2
Vishwas Patil (5 April 2012)
Deewana Main Deewana
Husband to beautiful woman
(28 September 2012)
Khiladi 786
Inspector Bhalerao Kambli
(7 December 2012)
Savior
(December 2012)
2013
Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 Bunty (7 June 2013)
Boss
Zorawar Singh (16 October 2013)
Singh Saab the Great
Gulwinder
(22 November 2013)
2014
Santa Banta
TBA
Entertainment Habibulla
August 8, 2014
My Father Godfather
Releasing on YouTube
Rang
Guest Role
Tulu film
2015
Dilwale Mani Bhai
25 December 2015
Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been rel
eased
Playback singer[edit]
Year
Title Song
Notes
1989
Chaalbaaz
"Bhoot Raja"
8 December 1989
1995
Ravan Raaj
"Tu Cheez Badi Hai Sakht Sakht" 23 June 1995
1998
Achanak
12 June 1998
2001
Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa
"Aamdani Atthanni"
21 Decem
ber 2001
Awards[edit]
Year
Nominee/work
Award Result
1997
Raja Hindustani Star Screen Award for Best Comedian
Won
1998
Deewana Mastana Filmfare Best Comedian Award
Won
1999
Dulhe Raja
Won
2002
Love Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic
Role Won
See also[edit]
List of Indian comedians
List of stand-up comedians
Johny Aala Re
References[edit]
Jump up ^ "Johnny Lever". www.imdb.com. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
Jump up ^ "Johnny Lever-IMDb". Retrieved 2015-10-27.
Jump up ^ Shyam Benegal; William Van Der Heide (12 June 2006). Bollywood Babylon
: Interviews With Shyam Benegal. Berg. pp. 196 . ISBN 978-1-84520-405-1. Retrieved
31 May 2012.
Jump up ^ Comedy is serious business: Johnny Lever - The Hindu
Jump up ^ Johnny Lever feels his talent is under-utilised - Hindustan Times
Jump up ^ VHP threatens agitation against actors Nagma, Johnny Lever
Jump up ^ "Johny Lever: In the film industry, there is dosti but no dost". www.i
ndiatimes.com. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
Jump up ^ "Find Bollywood Actor Johnny Lever Filmography, Movies, Pictures and V
ideos". Jointscene.com. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
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