For many years, Johnny Lever has been the heartbeat of Indian comedy — a grasp of mimicry, bodily comedy, and unscripted pleasure. However away from the stage and display, his residence reveals a quieter, extra soulful model of the person who has made India snort. Tucked into Mumbai’s Lokhandwala, Johnny’s duplex residence shouldn’t be about opulence, however emotion — an area constructed with intention, rooted in household, and wealthy in reminiscence.
“Mera favorite jagah? Yeh hello hai truly… yeh corridor,” he shares with a smile, seated comfortably in his lounge. “Yahan primary aata hoon, mera homework karta hoon, primary filmein dekhta hoon, movies dekhta hoon… ek khazana hai na, sab kuch milta hai yahan.” This corridor isn’t only a room — it’s his sanctuary for watching movies, rehearsing, and sometimes merely sitting in stillness together with his ideas.
The partitions of the home are alive with tales — just like the 1983 engagement {photograph} he factors to, captured simply after his father organized his marriage. “Mainne toh chehra bhi nahi dekha tha… bas shaadi ho gayi.” It’s not mentioned with remorse, however with a uncommon type of affection — his bond together with his spouse, who designed the home interiors herself, is seen within the care and ease of each nook.
Their house is constructed on two ranges — the higher one designed for his or her youngsters, the decrease one for bigger gatherings. “Easy rakha hai sab kuch… ghar mein studio-shooting ka really feel nahi chahiye. Ghar toh ghar hona chahiye,” he explains. “Hamari household bohot badi hai. Sab jab aate hain toh neeche bhi get together hoti hai, upar bhi hoti hai. Prayers hoti hain, prayer conferences hoti hain.”
Although now a celebrated star with an extended record of accolades — together with a Filmfare Award for ‘Deewana Mastana’, which he proudly shows — Johnny speaks with profound humility about his beginnings. “Pehla ghar Dharavi mein tha, chawl thi. Uske baad slums mein aaye… jhopadpatti abhi bhi hai. Mera jhopda abhi bhi hai wahan.” He nonetheless visits. “Kisi ki shaadi hai, perform hai… log aate hain, hum jaate hain.”
The journey from chawls to a Lokhandwala duplex was not simply monetary however deeply emotional. “1990 mein yeh ghar liya, duplex… teen bed room corridor, upar ek aur teen bed room corridor. Pehle upar wala flat 20 lakh mein liya tha… phir neeche wala 4 crore mein.” He laughs gently, “20 instances badh gaya worth!”
Even his neighbours replicate his place in Bollywood’s beating coronary heart: “Sridevi ji ka bhi yahan flat tha.”
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Each a part of his house is touched by thought — a quote in the home that reads “By knowledge a home is constructed…” holds particular which means for him. “Buddhimatta se ghar banta hai, understanding se set up hota hai… aur data se ghar bhara rehta hai.”
Even in his 60s, Johnny’s ardour for efficiency stays unshaken. “Roz follow karta hoon, roz. Chhe saat ghante baithta hoon… alag alag cheezen dekhta rehta hoon.” His corridor, he says, turns into his dance rehearsal house when pleasure overflows. “Primary jab bohot khush hota hoon… toh yahin baithta hoon, dance follow karta hoon.”
And when he wants a second of reflection? He opens his balcony door. “Lokhandwala ka pura nazara… Mudland bhi dikhai deta hai. Roz stroll pe jaata hoon.”