Johnny Lever Slams Modern Stand-up: “Double Meaning Jokes? They Wouldn’t Survive in Our Era!”

Bollywood’s veteran comedian Johnny Lever, known for steering clear of controversy, has recently broken his silence—and in a big way. Expressing his disappointment over the current state of comedy, Johnny took a firm stand against the new generation of stand-up comedians and their rising use of double meaning jokes.

Speaking on Kunika Sadanand’s podcast, Johnny Lever criticized today’s comedians for excessively following Hollywood trends. “Most actors and comedians now watch only English movies and try to copy that content. Filthy language and bad jokes might be common in Western films, but now our artists are copying it too,” Johnny said. “People think, ‘If Hollywood does it, why can’t we?’ That’s why double meaning jokes are so common now.”

Johnny reminisced about his training days, emphasizing that he was always taught never to resort to cheap comedy. “If we had done double meaning jokes, today’s comedians wouldn’t be able to stand in front of us. But we never did that. Making people laugh with clean humor is much harder—it takes more creativity, but that’s where real talent lies,” he stated.

Throwing down the gauntlet for today’s comics, Johnny issued a challenge: “If you truly have talent, try making people laugh with clean content. That is the real test.” He clarified, “I’m not saying they’re bad—their content is enjoyed by many—but my audience is a family audience. I have to answer to them.”

Johnny also praised his daughter, who does solo comedy shows while following her parents’ footsteps by refusing to use vulgarity. “She’s never crossed the line and keeps our family legacy alive,” Johnny added.

With a career spanning over 300 films since his debut in 1982, Johnny Lever continues to be regarded as India’s top comedian, standing the test of time while many others have come and gone.

Do you agree with Johnny Lever’s take on modern comedy? Let us know in the comments!