Johnny Lever - Biography

The very mention of Johnny Lever’s name puts a smile on a person’s face. And why not…he’s made us all laugh in over 200 films (and counting), received lots of nominations and won several awards for his timing and comedy in Bollywood movies! Personal Record: Johnny Lever was born as Johnny Rao on 7th January 1950 in Andhra Pradesh. He used to work for Hindustan Lever, and eventually the “Lever” replaced “Rao”. He is fondly called Lallu! Johnny is married to Sujata and has 2 children, Jamie and Jesse. The Funnyman of Bollywood: Johnny is worked in many films as a comedian. Some worked well, some didn’t. But the fact remains that he gave a fantastic performance even in those movies that didn’t do well commercially. Some of his prominent films are listed here: • Johnny’s first Bollywood film released in 1981. It was titled Yeh Rishta Na Tootay. • He appeared in the Amitabh Bachchan starrer, Jalwa (1987) • Hero Hiralal (1988), starring Naseeruddin Shah and Sanjana Kapoor worked wonders at the box office, as well as in career. • He played Anil Kapoor’s friend in the superhit Tezaab (1988). • Chaalbaaz (1989) is a comedy film starring Sridevi, Sunny Deol and Rajnikanth. How could a comedy be complete without Johnny? • He then played a small role in the romantic Dil (1990). • In Khiladi (1992), the film that marked Akshay Kumar as the original “Khiladi”, Johnny played Anna Pillai, a funny and lovable character. • Johnny played Babulal, the absent minded head servant in Baazigar (1993). • Anjaam (1994) saw Shah Rukh in a negative role once more. He even won an award for his performance, as did Madhuri Dixit. Johnny featured in this hit film too. • In Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) Johnny essayed the role of Dhansukh, Saif Ali Khan’s assistant. • He was seen again with Shah Rukh in Karan Arjun (1995) as his pal Lingaiyya, with humorous side effects. • He was at his funniest best in Dharmesh Darshan’s Raja Hindustani (1996). • Judaai (1997) saw him in the role of Hiralal, a character that falls in love with a mute girl. A role that only he could have played. • Yes Boss (1997) added another feather in his cap. Incidentally this one stars Shah Rukh in the lead role. • He excelled as Gafoor in David Dhawan’s Deewana Mastana (1997). • As Ajay Devgn’s uncle in Ishq (1997) he had the audience in splits. • Johnny was then seen playing a hotel manager in Dulhe Raja (1998). A laugh riot that the film was, he contributed generously to making it a success. • As Mohan and Sohan, brothers estranged in a fair, he gave one if his finest performances in Soldier (1998). • In Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) he played Col Almeida, an Indian obsessed with the Colonial rule of the British. • Kunwara (2000) was another David Dhawan film, which saw Johnny giving an astounding performance, though the film was a major flop. • Johnny was seen in a really small role in Kaho Naa…Pyaar Hai (2000). • Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000) saw him play Pappu Junior, and he was as adorable as ever. • In Ajnabee (2001), he played Banu Pradhan, a character with a bad habit of speaking in acronyms. Superb! • His portrayal of Aslam Bhai in the flop Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega (2001) was one the best ever. • In Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) he played Kajol’s family friend. • He was hilarious as Chhota Chhatri in Awara Paagal Deewana (2002) • Johnny delivered a fine performance in the thriller Humraaz (2002). • In the sci-fi Koi…Mil Gaya (2003), Johnny played the role of Chelaram Sukhwani, a stereotypical Parsi. • In the There’s Something About Mary rip off comedy Deewane Huye Pagal (2005) Johnny was Murugan. • Hera Pheri returned with its second installment, and Johnny played Munna, a dimwitted goon to perfection. • In the suspense thriller Race (2008), Johnny provided comic relief as the marriage registrar in South Africa. • His 2009 films haven’t done well, but he has a few more films yet to be released this year, like Priyardarshan’s De Dhana Dhan, Shah Rukh Khan starrer Dulha Mil Gaya, Rohit Shetty’s multi starrer All The Best: Fun Begins and Don’t Worry. Awards and Nominations: Johnny has been nominated for his performance in films like Ajnabee, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, Koi…Mil Gaya, Humraaz, Kunwara, Baazigar and Awara Paagal Deewana. He has won awards for: Dulhe Raja, Deewana Mastana, Raja Hindustani and Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega. Some more facts: Johnny hosted his own show on Zee TV called Johnny Aala Re. He is one of the judges of Comedy Circus, a standup comedy show on Sony TV. He is a very good mimic; but has his own style as well. His younger brother Jimmy Moses is a standup comedian and mimicry artist.