Apr 29, 2026 6:35pm IST
Johny Lever On His Connection With Michael Jackson: ‘When No One Knew Him in India, I Bought His Songs’ Audio Cassette’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Veteran comedian Johny Lever has emulated MJ’s iconic dance moves in films like “Mahakaal” and “Barood,” and these clips have gone viral on social media ever since the release of “Michael.”
The biopic on the King of Pop, was released last week, and it has already become a global box office success.
The biographical musical drama has also done big business in India, where the iconic pop star has a massive fan following.
Talking to Variety India, Lever shares that while his children have watched and liked the biopic, he has not watched it yet.
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Sharing an interesting anecdote about his connection with Jackson, Lever says, “When no one knew Michael Jackson in India, I bought his audio cassette. Even I didn't know Michael. We were on a tour in a bus, and there was this song playing that I liked. I asked, ‘Who sang the song? I want to buy this cassette.’ A person in the bus replied, ‘You like it? Take it, keep it with you.’ He gave it to me.”
The legendary comedian recalls mistaking Michael as a female singer, “I thought it was a female singer. I kept listening to the tape. Later, I came to know that it was a boy and not a girl (laughs). Later, his ‘Thriller’ album came out. His songs came out. His first song was ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’. At that time, we didn't even have a video player. I went to a friend’s place in Mumbai’s Versova and watched Michael Jackson. So, even before anyone copied Michael Jackson in America, Johny Lever copied him for the first time.”
“Michael” is currently in the theaters, and it stars Jaafar Jackson in the titular role. The cast also comprises Juliano Krue Valdi, Nia Long, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, Jessica Sula, Mike Myers, Miles Teller and Colman Domingo in prominent roles.
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