Celebrity in the Spotlight: Johny Lever

Known as the King of Comedy in recent times, Johny Lever is the talented celebrity featured this month in BollyCurry's popular section, Celebrity in the Spotlight.

Published: Monday,Jun 02, 2014 23:12 PM GMT-06:00

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It has been rightly said that comedy is probably the most difficult genre of acting, as it is extremely difficult to make the audience laugh at your antics, without making a mockery of yourself. This is probably why Bollywood is facing such a dearth of out and out comedians, who excel in their roles of leaving the audience in splits. Known as the King of Comedy in recent times, Johny Lever is the talented celebrity featured this month in BollyCurry's popular section, Celebrity in the Spotlight.

Not many are aware of the fact that Lever began his career

by performing in stage shows alongside talented celebrities of the 80s, including Kalyandji-Anandji, Amitabh Bachchan, Sunil Dutt, and many others. Around the same time, he released a short of himself enacting various comic acts, which brought him into the limelight. There was no looking back for the talented young man after this, and he soon made his entry in Bollywood.

Although Lever was seen in many films such as Dard Ka Rishta and Tezaab, it wasn't until his phenomenal portrayal of the character Babulal in the successful film Baazigar [1993] that he was truly appreciated for his talent. There was no looking back for him after this, and he went on to star in more than 300 films in the span of his career. Well known for playing the comic sidekick to the hero, he went on to essay some of the most endearing characters in the history of Hindi cinema. Some of his notable films include Karan Arjun [1995], Raja Hindustani [1996], Judaai [1997], Kuch Kuch Hota Hai [1998], Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham [2001] and Koi... Mil Gaya [2003].

Lever made his television debut with the show Johnny Aala Re [2006] and followed it up with a stint as a judge on the popular comedy show Comedy Circus in the year 2007. He continues to make television appearances every now and then, and his last appearance was in the popular show Comedy Nights With Kapil, where he featured as a celebrity guest alongside the talented Suniel Shetty. He is currently the President of Cine And Television Artiste Association [CINTAA], where he contested against Rakhi Sawant and won by a margin of over 100 votes.

It can be rightly said that comedy in Bollywood is synonymous with Johny Lever, and the two are incomplete without one another. Lever has been well appreciated for his talent, and was nominated thirteen times for the prestigious Filmfare Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role, and won it twice, in the year 1997 and 1998.

Did You Know?

Johny Lever is a devout Christian, and often attends seminars and prayer meetings around the world as a preacher, where he testifies about his journey with Christianity and Jesus Christ.
His brother, Jimmy Moses, is also a stand up comedian who has appeared on many television shows such as Comedy Circus and the Great Indian Laughter Challenge.
His daughter, Jamie Lever, recently participated in the latest season of Comedy Circus and received widespread adulation for her wit and comic timing

Johnny Lever is next slated to be seen in the film Its Entertainment, which will be releasing in the coming August. From this writer at BollyCurry and all others, here's wishing Johnny Lever all the success and happiness in his life.

Author: Ritchelle C.

Editor/s: Pooja B. & Hershi J.

Graphics: Shikha A. and Marsh P.

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