Johnny Lever celebrates 69th birthday after rise from street performer to Bollywood icon

Bollywood comedian Johnny Lever, born John Prakash Rao Janumula, is celebrating his 69th birthday. His journey to becoming one of India's most prominent comedians was marked by significant early-life struggles.

Born in Andhra Pradesh and raised in Mumbai, Lever left school after the seventh grade due to financial difficulties. To support his family, he worked various labor jobs, including selling pens on the streets and in local trains, often using his talent for mimicry to attract customers. He also worked as a laborer for Hindustan Unilever, where his colleagues began calling him ‘Johnny Lever’ after he entertained them by imitating senior officials.

His career transitioned from stage shows to cinema after actor Sunil Dutt noticed his performances and offered him a role in the film ‘Dard Ka Rishta’. Lever has since appeared in over 300 films, including notable titles such as ‘Baazigar’, ‘Deewana Mastana’, and ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’. At the height of his popularity, he experienced a prolific period where as many as 25 films were released in a single year.