Few pairings brought as much effortless charm and laughter as the collaborations between comedy legend Johnny Lever and the iconic Sridevi. Though they shared screen space in only three films, their work left a memorable imprint on Hindi cinema audiences.
Johnny Lever, born John Prakash Rao Janumala on 14 August 1957 in Kanigiri, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, hails from a Telugu Christian family. His mother tongue is Telugu, and his roots in Andhra Pradesh shaped his early life before he rose to fame as Bollywood’s king of comedy. He shared a common language with Sridevi and they got along brilliantly - he stated that whenever they met on set, they only spoke their mother-tongue. After all...
... Sridevi, was born in Meenampatti near Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, and had a rich mixed heritage. Her father was Tamil, while her mother hailed from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Telugu was her mother tongue, and she was fluent in both Telugu and Tamil - as was Johnny.
Both stars thrived in the 1980s in Bollywood but oddly only appeared in three films. Their joint filmography is modest but notable, as they worked together in around 3 memorable Hindi films, including: Chaalbaaz (1989)
Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993) and Judaai (1997), where Johnny Lever famously played Sridevi’s on-screen brother!!!
Johnny Lever often spoke fondly of Sridevi, recalling her grace and professionalism on sets. Both artists carried strong Telugu connections, were extremely close their respective families and climbed up the ladder through effort, experience and have enduring cinematic legacies as they bet the odds. In a nation of a billion, there are but a handful of stars. These two shine so brightly in their field, eclipsing others.
When Sridevi passed so suddenly, he spoke often about what a professional she was and a delight to watch. Their comedy scenes in Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja are amazing. Sadly, we don't have stills of it. Sridevi played the part of a glamorous thief and Johnny as a cop who aspired to be an actor. It is one of the best scenes in otherwise faulty film...
Honouring the comic, stand-up, acting great, Johnny Lever.
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