My wife is my true critic--Johnny Lever

Aug 05, 2006

My wife is my true critic - Johnny Lever

It was in 1981 when I was to face the camera for the first time. It was for the movie ''Yeh Rishtaa Na Tootay''.

French philosopher, satirist and writer of the 18th century, Voltaire had said, "God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh."

Very truly said as in today's world, laughter is often sacrificed at the altar of a fast paced lifestyle. It is then that the comedians take the task upon themselves to make people laugh and spread sunshine into their lives. One such comedian is Johnny Lever, the humour icon of Indian cinema.

When he is on stage, the audience is thrilled to bits. When he is on screen the viewers laugh endlessly. His actions, way of speaking, multiple expressions of his face and his catchy dialogues tickle the funny bone of fans till they burst into peals of laughter.

On a tour to Australia and New Zealand recently, he tells ShaadiTimes about the serious side of comedy.

Flashback
"Its requires lot of hard work and practice to master the skill. But comedy is an inborn trait. The 'germs of comedy' are in a person right from childhood and it nurtures and grows with passing years", says Johnny Lever, the undisputed comedy king of Bollywood films.

Belonging to South India, he had no idea that he will reach to this level of success. Indeed he has been very lucky. Not to mention the talent and hard work he has done to come this far. He is happy to canvas among other things the oodles of luck he had, to help him reach this position and the support of music directors Kalyanji - Anandji . "They helped me a lot", says Johnny lever. They believed in him and it was in one of their charity shows that Sunil Duttji saw him and cast him in his film 'Dard ka Rishtaa ' in 1982". From there his career began to soar and there has been no looking back.

"I always wanted to do comedy. Right from childhood I used to enjoy making people laugh by my mimicry acts", tells Johnny Lever. Right from imitating his school teachers to copying film stars and ordinary men, Johnny Lever has an unmatchable talent. Even at home he likes to continue with his funny acts. "But since I am the eldest in the family I have to be sombre, but then the germs of comedy never let me remain serious for long and I start making my family members laugh. My wife gives an honest opinion of my performance in films and she is my true critic", admits Johnny Lever.

Role models
When asked whom he admires among the comedians of yesteryears, Johnny Lever responds immediately, " I admire Kishore Kumarji , Mehmood sahab , Johnny Walker. They are like a source of inspiration for me. In fact I was very touched by the role of Mehmood sahab in 'Kuwara Baap '. It is also my dream to do a role which is touching and has a message to convey".

"As far as my favourite role is concerned, I loved my role in 'Baazigar ' in 1992. People loved me in the movie and I liked my character", says Johnny Lever. "I like working with all my co-stars but it is with Govinda that I enjoy the most", he states. His work speaks volumes about his talent. Whether he is playing 'Aslam Bhai ', or 'Babu lal ' in Baazigar or the very recent 'Murugan ' in Deewane Huye Paagal .

Funniest moment
Recalling his most memorable moment, he says, " It was in 1981 when I was to face the camera for the first time in 1981. It was for the movie 'Yeh Rishtaa Na Tootay" . A day before the shooting I developed fever due to fear and anxiety. In the morning I was so scared. I wanted to run away but somehow the make-up people prepared me for the scene. And when I heard the approval 'very good', I realised that it wasn't that scary. I could have done better. This incident always remains in my memory".

Johnny Lever has a mesmeric control over the audience. He involves himself in his character totally. So much so that once he was shooting for the film 'Anjaam ' where he was playing the role of a eunuch, 'Champa Chameli '. "During break I came home in the same attire and waited to see the reaction of my family members. My daughter who was just two years old started crying loudly. She was scared because the voice was mine but the looks were so different. I had to convince her that it was me. In the garb of a woman, I was resembling my mother", laughs Johnny Lever, and with the same uncanny sense of humour in his voice says, "I was looking so much like my mother that even my father fell for me". So this was a real life amusing incident in the life of one of India's favourite comedians.

Key to success
Johnny Lever has become very selective about his roles now. He avoids repetitive roles and wants to do something different and challenging in every film. "We have taken a lot from society and now it is our turn to give it back", says Johnny Lever and thanks God for blessing him with all that he has.

His Zodiac sign is a Leo and he loves to eat simple food like Dal Chawal . Johnny Lever likes the colour white and believes in God and hard work. To the aspiring comedians he has a word of advice - "Observe - Only this will make you a better artist. Understand and read people and believe in yourself. This is your key to success".