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Bollywood’s king of comedy Johny Lever returned to the kingdom after 30 years to bring the gift of merriment to his many fans with an unforgettable sell-out show.
Before taking to the stage last weekend the 62-year-old joined his daughter Jamie, 30, who is proving that stand-up is a family affair, for an exclusive interview about life and laughs.
“Laughter and comedy has always been in me,” he said, “although I didn’t know that one day it would become my profession. I thought it was a hobby actually. My dad, Prakash Rao, was not happy and he used to ask me to stop this foolishness and nonsense and get a real job!
“I worked in a factory for six years and throughout that time my dad would tell me to ‘stop the silliness’ or I would end up unemployed and living on the streets. I know my dad was right in his own way but he didn’t understand that I wanted to be on stage.
“He actually came to beat me once with a pipe while I was performing on stage in front of 3,000 people. When he heard people laugh, he got confused and left!”
They probably thought it was part of the act.
And, his workplace eventually proved inspirational too. The star – real name John Rao Prakash Rao Janumala – took his stage name after workmates labelled him Johny Lever when he entertained them at the Indian consumer goods company, Hindustan Unilever Limited.
He is now touring the world presenting his show Johny Lever Live alongside Jamie. Together they have performed in the US, the UK, Africa, Australia, India, Dubai, Muscat and Kuwait.
The delightful duo from Mumbai was joined on stage by fellow comedian Rehman Khan at Keraleeya Samajam in Segaiya on Thursday night.
After 26 years in work his dad managed to save up 25,000 rupees to put in a bank for his two sisters’ dowry. Shortly afterwards Johny had a lucky break, fronting an advertisement for a mosquito repellent.
“I worked a whole day and had so much fun. They paid me 25,000 rupees. I couldn’t believe it. I rushed home and showed my father and pleaded for him to please let me continue performing.
“He was stunned and couldn’t understand why anyone would pay that amount for something like that. That ad was my turning point. I left the company to pursue my acting and stand-up dreams.”
Since then, Johny has appeared in more than 400 Bollywood movies, playing the role of comic relief. He became a household name following the 1993 Baazigar blockbuster starring alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.
Johny said: “I started my career on the stage performing stand-up and after 16 years of focussing my energy on film, I had to return because I missed the stage.
“My two to three hours stand-up is such a surprise for the audiences. They don’t know what to expect because it’s not the Johny they see in the movies. It’s a different Johny who shares his life experiences, family stories, observations, Indian culture, dancing, singing and other funny moments.
“There is also a message in my stand-up. It’s my way of giving back to the community without being preachy. I do it in a positive way.”
“There are very few shows that you can watch with the entire family,” said proud daughter, Jamie, who is a funny woman with brains having gained a marketing and communications Master’s degree from London’s Westminster Business School.
“His show appeals to all ages. Wherever we have been in the last four years we have received rave reviews. There is so much laughter.”
Her brother Jesse, 28, also an actor, works on the creative and production side of the show. The event in Bahrain was organised by Artplan and Relax, in association with Al Maya International. The next day, the performers attended a gala dinner at the Wyndham Grand Manama, Bahrain Bay.
Jamie, after discussions with her mother Sujatha, convinced her dad to let her pursue a career on stage and proved her talent during a spot on his show touring London. She received a standing ovation.
“I never recommended her or put a foot in the door for her,” said Johny. “I wanted her to do it on her own and she did. I’m proud of both of my children.”
She has performed at The Comedy Store, Mumbai from 2012 as a stand-up comedian and on Comedy Circus Ke Mahabali on Sony Entertainment Television in 2013 and she has also hosted various shows.
Jamie will also appear in a cameo role in Johny’s upcoming movie Housefull 4 which will open in October. In the meantime, Johny’s movie Total Dhamaal will be out next month and he will be appearing in Thodi masti Thodi Dhoom currently being filmed in Greece.
