Johnny Lever recently revealed the struggles he faced during the height of his fame, particularly his battle with alcoholism. Starting his journey at just 17, he quickly became a household name within six years, with his comedy CDs gaining popularity even in the U.S. Despite signing many films and performing worldwide, Johnny paid a heavy personal toll behind the scenes.Here’s a closer look.Johnny Lever’s rugged schedule takes a tollDuring a candid talk on comedian Sapan Verma’s YouTube channel, joined by his daughter Jamie Lever, Johnny shared memories of his demanding schedule and the heavy toll that fame took on his health and lifestyle. “I used to be so tired,” he admitted. “I would shoot for films during the day and perform in shows at night. On top of that, I used to drink heavily. It would completely drain me. I would be sitting backstage like I was in shavasana (completely still, lifeless).”Johnny Lever on never having missed a performanceEven though Johnny was utterly exhausted, he never let his exhaustion affect his work. “I always gave my performance, no matter how drained I felt. But after the show, there would be nothing left in me,” he said.Johnny Lever issues a candid warning on drinkingHe sincerely cautioned his audience, saying, “I request people—limit mein piyo (drink in moderation). I had crossed my limits, and it’s not worth it. I was a drunkard. I would sit at Chowpatty and drink till 4 in the morning. Many times, the police would come, but when they recognised me, they would laugh and say, ‘Arre, Johnny bhai,’ and let me sit in their car to continue drinking safely.”Johnny Lever on fame and its impactHe admitted, “Success can mess with your mind. At one point, no movie was made without me. I was also doing international shows and constantly traveling. I lost myself in all of it. But eventually, I made a decision–I quit drinking. It’s been 24 years now, and I haven’t touched alcohol.”Johnny Lever on maintaining professionalismLever firmly stated that despite the hardships he faced, he always upheld his professionalism: “One thing I can proudly say–I never performed under the influence. I never drank before a show.”Johnny Lever on personal confessionsIn an earlier video shared by the veteran actor Dharmendra, Johnny candidly confessed, “I used to drink a lot, about one and a half bottles. When I drank, my wife would get very angry with me. She fought to stop me from drinking, which only made me angrier. I didn’t usually get upset about anything else, but alcohol triggered me. I made my wife angry, hurt my children, and deeply disappointed my parents. I felt like I was living in a hell, filled with regrettable mistakes.”Johnny Lever’s difficult road to sobrietyHe added, “One day, I decided to quit drinking and smoking altogether. It was an incredibly difficult journey, especially during the rainy season when my thirst for alcohol was intense. I prayed for strength, turning to God and Jesus for guidance. Despite the challenges, I remained steadfast and did not touch alcohol or cigarettes again. I learned from my mistakes, although understanding and change often take time.”Johnny Lever’s recent workOn the work front, Johnny Lever was recently seen in ‘Housefull 5’.