‘Simple rakha hai sab kuch, ghar mein studio-shooting ka feel nahi chahiye': Inside Johnny Lever's sea-facing home in Mumbai

Indian Express

a day ago

For decades, Johnny Lever has been the heartbeat of Indian comedy — a master of mimicry, physical comedy, and unscripted joy. But away from the stage and screen, his home reveals a quieter, more soulful version of the man who has made India laugh. Tucked into Mumbai's Lokhandwala, Johnny's duplex home is not about opulence, but emotion — a space built with intention, rooted in family, and rich in memory.
'Mera favourite jagah? Yeh hi hai actually… yeh hall,' he shares with a smile, seated comfortably in his living room. 'Yahan main aata hoon, mera homework karta hoon, main filmein dekhta hoon, videos dekhta hoon… ek khazana hai na, sab kuch milta hai yahan.' This hall isn't just a room — it's his sanctuary for watching films, rehearsing, and often simply sitting in stillness with his thoughts.
The walls of the house are alive with stories — like the 1983 engagement photograph he points to, captured just after his father arranged his marriage. 'Mainne toh chehra bhi nahi dekha tha… bas shaadi ho gayi.' It's not said with regret, but with a rare kind of affection — his bond with his wife, who designed the house interiors herself, is visible in the care and simplicity of every corner.
Their home is built on two levels — the upper one designed for their children, the lower one for larger gatherings. 'Simple rakha hai sab kuch… ghar mein studio-shooting ka feel nahi chahiye. Ghar toh ghar hona chahiye,' he explains. 'Hamari family bohot badi hai. Sab jab aate hain toh neeche bhi party hoti hai, upar bhi hoti hai. Prayers hoti hain, prayer meetings hoti hain.'
Though now a celebrated star with a long list of accolades — including a Filmfare Award for 'Deewana Mastana', which he proudly displays — 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 still visits. 'Kisi ki shaadi hai, function hai… log aate hain, hum jaate hain.'
The journey from chawls to a Lokhandwala duplex was not just financial but deeply emotional. '1990 mein yeh ghar liya, duplex… teen bedroom hall, upar ek aur teen bedroom hall. Pehle upar wala flat 20 lakh mein liya tha… phir neeche wala 4 crore mein.' He laughs gently, '20 times badh gaya price!'
Even his neighbours reflect his place in Bollywood's beating heart: 'Sridevi ji ka bhi yahan flat tha.'
Every part of his home is touched by thought — a quote in the house that reads 'By wisdom a house is built…' holds special meaning for him. 'Buddhimatta se ghar banta hai, understanding se establish hota hai… aur knowledge se ghar bhara rehta hai.'
Even in his 60s, Johnny's passion for performance remains unshaken. 'Roz practice karta hoon, roz. Chhe saat ghante baithta hoon… alag alag cheezen dekhta rehta hoon.' His hall, he says, becomes his dance rehearsal space when joy overflows. 'Main jab bohot khush hota hoon… toh yahin baithta hoon, dance practice karta hoon.'
And when he needs a moment of reflection? He opens his balcony door. 'Lokhandwala ka pura nazara… Mudland bhi dikhai deta hai. Roz walk pe jaata hoon.'