'I had crossed all limits': Johnny Lever gets candid about alcohol struggles, sobriety, and starting over after stardom

Time of India

3 days ago

From standing ovations to sleepless nights
Agencies
Johnny began his career at just 17 and quickly became a household name.
From chaos to clarity: A decision that changed everything
Faith, family, and the fight to get clean
He made millions laugh, but behind the curtains, Johnny Lever was fighting a silent, relentless battle. In a rare and emotional revelation, the legendary comedian opened up about his struggles with alcohol at the peak of his fame. Appearing on comedian Sapan Verma's YouTube show alongside his daughter Jamie Lever, the veteran artist peeled back the layers of his glamorous life to reveal the exhaustion, regret, and eventual redemption that shaped him.Johnny began his career at just 17 and quickly became a household name. Within six years, his comic acts were not just entertaining India but were being sold on CDs in the US. 'I used to be so tired,' he recalled. 'Shooting for films during the day, performing shows at night—and drinking heavily in between. It would completely drain me. I would be sitting backstage like I was in shavasana.'Despite being physically and emotionally depleted, Lever never let down his audience. 'I always gave my performance, no matter how drained I felt. But after the show, there would be nothing left in me.' Yet behind the scenes, his drinking habit spiraled. He confessed to often drinking till 4 in the morning at Mumbai's Chowpatty, where even the police would look the other way out of fondness.'Limit mein piyo,' he warned viewers. 'I had crossed all limits. I was a drunkard. But I realised—it's not worth it.' The veteran comedian now stands as a cautionary voice, urging people to recognise where indulgence ends and self-destruction begins.Acknowledging the intoxicating pull of fame, Lever said, 'Success can mess with your mind. At one point, no film was made without me. I was doing international shows, always travelling. I lost myself.' But a moment of truth arrived. 'Eventually, I made a decision. I quit drinking. It's been 24 years now, and I haven't touched alcohol.'He clarified that he never let his habit affect his professional commitments: 'One thing I can proudly say—I never performed under the influence. I never drank before a show.'In a past video shared by actor Dharmendra, Johnny had spoken about how alcohol strained his family ties. 'I used to drink a lot, about one and a half bottles. My wife would get angry, and I would get angrier. I hurt my children, disappointed my parents. I was living in a hell filled with mistakes.'The turnaround wasn't easy. 'I prayed to God and Jesus. Especially during the rainy season, the thirst was real. But I stayed strong.'Johnny Lever's story is not just one of fame or addiction but of resilience and the power of change. The beloved comedian has a packed slate ahead, with multiple high-profile projects in the pipeline. After the recent release of Housefull 5 on June 6, now available on Amazon Prime Video, Lever is set to bring more laughter to audiences with Welcome To The Jungle, Golmaal 5, and No Entry 2—all eyeing a 2025 release. He's also gearing up for roles in Race 4: Reloaded, scheduled for 2026, and eagerly awaited sequels like Awara Pagal Deewana 2 and Hera Pheri 3, both currently in production.