Veteran comedian Johnny Lever, one of Indian cinema’s most beloved and versatile performers, recently opened up about the challenges he faced at the peak of his career–including his battle with alcohol. Starting his career at the age of 17, Johnny quickly rose to fame. Within six years, he became a household name, with CDs of his performances being sold in the United States. He had signed multiple films and was performing comedy shows around the world–living the dream, but paying a steep personal price.
In a candid appearance on comedian Sapan Verma’s YouTube show along with his daughter Jamie Lever, Johnny recalled his hectic schedule and how the overwhelming success began to take a toll on his health and lifestyle. “I used to be so tired,” he shared. “I would shoot for films during the day and perform in shows at night. On top of that, I used to drink heavily. It would completely drain me. I would be sitting backstage like I was in shavasana (completely still, lifeless).”
Despite his exhaustion, Johnny never missed a commitment. “I always gave my performance, no matter how drained I felt. But after the show, there would be nothing left in me.”
He then issued a heartfelt warning to his audience: “I request people—limit mein piyo (drink in moderation). I had crossed my limits, and it’s not worth it. I was a drunkard. I would sit at Chowpatty and drink till 4 in the morning. Many times, the police would come, but when they recognised me, they would laugh and say, ‘Arre, Johnny bhai,’ and let me sit in their car to continue drinking safely.”
In the same show, he admitted, “Success can mess with your mind. At one point, no movie was made without me. I was also doing international shows and constantly traveling. I lost myself in all of it. But eventually, I made a decision–I quit drinking. It’s been 24 years now, and I haven’t touched alcohol.”
Johnny also made it clear that no matter what he was going through, he maintained professionalism: “One thing I can proudly say–I never performed under the influence. I never drank before a show.”
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Previously, in a video shared by veteran actor Dharmendra, Johnny could be heard saying, “I used to drink a lot, about one and a half bottles. When I drank, my wife would get very angry with me. She fought to stop me from drinking, which only made me angrier. I didn’t usually get upset about anything else, but alcohol triggered me. I made my wife angry, hurt my children, and deeply disappointed my parents. I felt like I was living in a hell, filled with regrettable mistakes.”
He added, “One day, I decided to quit drinking and smoking altogether. It was an incredibly difficult journey, especially during the rainy season when my thirst for alcohol was intense. I prayed for strength, turning to God and Jesus for guidance. Despite the challenges, I remained steadfast and did not touch alcohol or cigarettes again. I learned from my mistakes, although understanding and change often take time.”
Johnny Lever was recently seen in the controversial film, Housefull 5 which was heavily criticised for its vulgarity.
