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Personal life
8
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)
Aakrosh: Cyclone Of Anger
Gopi
(3 April 1998)
Keemat: They Are Back Sub-Inspector Ultappan/Kirappan (10 April 1998)
Aunty No. 1
(1 May 1998)
Jiyaala
(1 May 1998)
Mard
(15 May 1998)
Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai
Mahesh (22 May 1998)
Achanak Joni/Moni/Toni Kapoor (12 June 1998)
Dulhe Raja
Bankhey (Hotel Manager) (10 July 1998)
Kareeb Bighe Laal
(17 July 1998)
Iski Topi Uske Sar
Gabbar Singh/Mogamba/John Lobo (17 July 1998)
Barood Presenter
(7 August 1998)
Tirchhi Topiwale
Kadak K. Pillay (11 September 1998)
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Col. Almeida, Camp Manager
(16 October 1998)
Soldier (1998 Indian film)
Mohan/Sohan
(20 November 1998)
Wajood Inspector Rahim Khan
(11 December 1998)
1999
Heeralal Pannalal
Heeralal (Double role) (22 October 1999)
Ganga Ki Kasam (1999 film)
(4 June 1999)
Dulhan Banoo Main Teri Jack
1 January 1999
Benaam Munna Mobile
(2 July 1999)
Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain Sunny Goyal
(22 January 1999)
Daag-The Fire Sundar (12 February 1999)
Laawaris
Gaflet (5 March 1999)
International Khiladi Focus 26 March 1999
Anari No. 1
Daler Mehndi
(9 April 1999)
Silsila Hai Pyar Ka
Johny (16 April 1999)
Sirf Tum
Niranjan
(11 June 1999)
Baadshah
Ramlal (27 August 1999)
Hello Brother Havaldar Hatella
(10 September 1999)
Hum Tum Pe Marte Hain Sattu (24 September 1999)
Khoobsurat
Special appearance (song)
(26 November 1999)
Jaanwar Bajrangi
(23 December 1999)
2000
Krodh (film)
Prem
(10 March 2000)
Jwalamukhi (2000 film)
March 2000
Hadh Kar Di Aapne
Father/Son Lawyer Team 14 April 2000
Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa Maggi 18 August 2000
Meri Jung Ka Elaan
Beti No.1
Mulayamchand 'Mullu'
13 October 2000
Kaali Topi Laal Rumaal Nanhey 15 September 2000
Kunwara Gopal 21 July 2000
Mela
Inspector Pakkad Singh (7 January 2000)
Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai
Inspector Parab (14 January 2000)
Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge Tour Manager Chirkund (15 January 2000)
Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani
Pappu Junior
(21 January 2000)
Badal Gulel Singh Rangoli
(11 February 2000)
Dil Hi Dil Mein College Professor Jack (Hindi version) (21 April 2000)
Hum To Mohabbat Karega Kutti (26 May 2000)
Joru Ka Ghulam Kanhaiya
(16 June 2000)
Deewane Okay
(11 August 2000)
Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai
Chatterjee
(24 August 2000)
Fiza
Laughing Club Comic
(8 September 2000)
Shikari Jafrani Sindhi Businessman
(6 October 2000)
Aaghaaz Rajni Deva
(6 October 2000)
Raju Chacha
Jaddu (20 December 2000)
2001
Farz
Informer named 'Taxi' (12 January 2001)
Aashiq
(26 January 2001)
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
Pappu Bhai
(9 March 2001)
Censor Vikramjeet's First Assistant
(6 April 2001)
Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega
Aslam Bhai
(29 June 2001)
Lajja
(31 August 2001)
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