Mumbai, Dec 3 (PTI) Regarded as one of the topcomedians of Bollywood even today, Johny Lever says thoughit is tough for comic actors to survive in films, he hasmanaged to sustain so far as he always stayed focused.
"It's a simple life that we live. I focus on my workwhile some people unnecessarily complicate life. By the graceof God we didn't do that - we walked in the presentremembering our past, so your focus in always on work.
"Comedy is a very difficult thing to do. To do comedy,there are so many hurdles one has to cross. We are here eventoday because we worked hard and didn't lose focus," Leversays in an interview with PTI.
Starting his career with smaller roles in films in the80s, Lever got wide spread acclaim with the 1993 Shah RukhKhan starrer "Baazigar" and went on to position himself as thequintessential comic actor.
In Bollywood there was a trend of adult humour but the60-year-old actor always stayed away from it.
"Talent is given by God but you should respect it bydoing good work. In the shows I do, there are no doublemeaning or vulgar dialogues. You require hard work in writinggood, clean material.
"Why would you spread 'gandagi' (filth)? I can't dothat at all, that's not my job. People have come to me fordouble meaning roles but I have flatly refused."He reveals there was a time when he even did films forthe sake of friendship.
"Earlier in films, I used to take on any offers. I usedto help friends who asked me to do a few scenes because thenthe distributors would love it, the film will do well. I neversaid no, helped everyone. I used to tell myself, 'a daywould come when I'll work according to my will'. I havestarted doing that, in the last 15 years specially."Lever — who still remains a go-to comedian to featurein films — has recognisably cut down on work, especially TVshows, with his last being "Johnny Aala Re" in 2007.
He says there were offers coming his way to dotelevision shows, but not all of them were great.
"When (popular comedian) Kapil Sharma's (TV) show wasworking, I got so many offers to do a similar show! Everyonewanted me to do a show like that. I told them, what's thepoint of doing a similar show?"There will be competition, comparisons, why repeatthe same formulae? If I like it I will do it. So offers arethere, but I am choosy," he says.
He returns to the small screen in the comedy show"Partners —Trouble Ho Gayi Double" on SAB TV. On the show, hewill be seen in a double role — playing a police commissionerand his twin who happens to be a 'khabri' (informer).
"Paritosh Painter (the director) of the show is adear friend so I knew he would make good use of me. If youwork on a show and you're not utilised well then you feel sad.
This is a show with rich writing," he adds.
While he awaits the response of his new TV show, theactor marvels at how even the younger generation todayrecognises his work, which is a big award for him.
"I feel very happy that young kids, aged four-five,recognise me. What is a bigger award than this? This is allGod's grace that the younger generation knows me, recognise mywork. I am very happy." PTI JUR KKP RSYSHD.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.