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Thanks to dad, Jamie didn’t have to struggle

- Rishabh Suri

Actor-comedienne and daughter of comic actor Johnny Lever, Jamie Lever (above), who left the audience in splits with her act in Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon (2015) says that she was always sure that her true calling was being on the stage, doing comedy.

“Initially, my parents didn’t encourage me. They would tell me,‘Yeh sab toh chalta rahega’ and I should complete my studies. But when I joined a marketing job in London, I felt out of place, and realised that it’s only when I have a mike in my hand that I feel really happy,” says Jamie.

On recent accusation­s directed towards the standup comedy space of not being much receiving towards female comedians, she says, “I haven’t been treated any less for being a comedienne. Maybe, it’s because of my father [Johnny Lever]. But a lot of women out there, who are good at stand-up comedy, don’t pursue this as a career. Personally, I’ve never felt the lack of support. I think, it’s time people start considerin­g stand-up comedy as a fulltime job.” Currently hosting the show Sabse Bada Kalakaar with actor Jay Bhanushali, Jamie feels that getting into the industry wasn’t difficult. “When I entered, I didn’t have to struggle. People were like, ‘Yeh Johnny Lever ki beti hai, matlab hamari bhi beti hai’.

 ??  ?? Posters for the films Mom, Maatr, Daddy and Raees (clockwise from above)
Posters for the films Mom, Maatr, Daddy and Raees (clockwise from above)

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