Did you know Johnny Lever's real name is John Prakash Rao Janumala?
Although Shakespeare once asked, “What’s in a name?”, the truth is that names do make a difference, especially when it comes to the image we carry in our minds. Take Johnny Lever, for instance. The name itself instantly brings to mind someone full of life, and always ready with a joke. You can almost hear the laughter when you say it. But imagine if he were actually born with that name; what a coincidence that would be! In reality, his original name is John Prakash Rao Janumala. And the story of how he ended up with the name "Johnny Lever" is just as entertaining as the man himself. So today, on his 68th birthday, let’s go back in time and find out how this iconic comedian got the name that became a legend in its own right.
Johnny Lever entered the world as John Prakash Rao Janumala, born on August 14, 1957, in Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district. But it was Mumbai that shaped his boyhood, specifically the modest neighborhood of King’s Circle, where his family, part of the Telugu Christian community, lived with little but held onto plenty of hope.
His father worked at Hindustan Unilever as an operator, bringing home a meagre income. The family scraped by, like many migrant households in the city. And yet, in the middle of these struggles, young John discovered something peculiar about himself: he could imitate just about anyone, from neighbors to movie stars.
John’s strength in mimicry might have remained a parlor trick if not for his day job. In the late 1970s, he took up work at his father’s company, Hindustan Unilever, on the packaging line. But unlike most workers, John had a side hustle that wasn’t on the clock: entertaining his co-workers. During breaks or at company functions, he would slip into a voice or character, leaving everyone doubled over.
One evening, during an internal event organized by the company, he was asked to perform onstage. His mimicry act was so sharp and so effortlessly funny that it became the talk of the factory floor. From that moment on, colleagues began calling him “Johnny Lever”, a witty mashup of his nickname and the name of the company he worked for.
It was said in jest at first. But the name clung to him like the scent of soap from the factory machines, and before long, it became his identity.
Johnny has often spoken fondly of this turning point. On The Kapil Sharma Show, and in interviews with The Indian Express and BBC Hindi, he recounted: “Main wahan kaam karta tha, lekin log hansne ke liye rukte the. Naam bhi wahin ban gaya, Johnny Lever.” (“I used to work there, but people would stop by just to laugh. My name was born right there, Johnny Lever.”)
John Prakash Rao Janumala's father would take him to work in Hindustan Unilever factory. He became popular with the employees because of his immense talent and ability to mimic.
— India Wants To Know: India's First Panel Quiz Show (@IWTKQuiz) August 14, 2024
Happy birthday Johnny Lever. Please continue to fill our world with laughter. #BornToday
Which is… pic.twitter.com/l2rJpSoXlr
(Credit: India Wants To Know: India's First Panel Quiz Show)
Soon, word spread beyond the Unilever premises. Johnny began performing at local stage shows, and thanks to colleagues who introduced him using his new name, “Johnny Lever” made its way into the Mumbai entertainment circuit and stuck.
Stage performances led to orchestras, which led to bigger shows. His comic timing stood out even in a city overflowing with talent. Then came a major break: legendary actor Sunil Dutt noticed him and offered him a role in 'Dard Ka Rishta' (1982). It was a small part, but it marked Johnny’s entry into the film world ('Yeh Ristha Na Tootay' had been released earlier).
The ’90s were a golden era for him. With hits like 'Baazigar', 'Dulhe Raja', 'Deewana Mastana', and 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', Johnny Lever carved out a unique space in Bollywood, establishing himself as a comic actor with the instincts of a livewire and the versatility of a seasoned performer.
But through all the fame, the name remained unchanged. “Johnny Lever” stayed as it was, a reminder of the ordinary setting it had come from, now carrying the weight of national recognition.
What makes Johnny’s story even more compelling is the origin. Unlike many stars who modify their names for fortune, numerology, or mass appeal, Johnny embraced the one that found him organically. It didn’t sound elite or carefully chosen, but it had soul. It carried laughter from factory breaks and from a working-class audience who first recognized his brilliance before any film director did.
Today, his children Jamie Lever and Jesse Lever carry the same surname into the entertainment world.
