Johnny Lever's prank on Anil Kapoor during Tezaab shoot revealed
Synopsis
Johnny Lever's retelling of a decades-old phone prank — where he impersonated Shatrughan Sinha to fool a nervous Anil Kapoor on the Tezaab set — is a window into the rigid star hierarchy of 1980s Bollywood. That a rising star like Kapoor responded with 'Yes sir, yes sir' says as much about the era as the prank itself.
Key Takeaways
Johnny Lever revealed on The Kapil Sharma Show that he pranked Anil Kapoor during the filming of Tezaab by impersonating Shatrughan Sinha .
A nervous Anil Kapoor repeatedly said 'Yes sir' before Lever revealed the ruse, leaving Kapoor 'extremely annoyed'.
Tezaab ( 1988 ), directed by N.
Chandra , became the highest-grossing Indian film of the year on its release on 11 November 1988 .
The film starred Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit , with music by Laxmikant–Pyarelal .
Anil Kapoor is next set to appear in Alpha (YRF Spy Universe) and Shah Rukh Khan 's King .
Veteran comedian Johnny Lever once left actor Anil Kapoor rattled with a phone prank during the filming of the 1988 blockbuster Tezaab, impersonating screen legend Shatrughan Sinha — a story Lever shared during a recent appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show. The anecdote offers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the camaraderie and mischief that defined Hindi cinema's golden era.
How the Prank Unfolded
When host Kapil Sharma asked Lever whether he had ever pulled a phone prank on a colleague, the comedian recalled calling Anil Kapoor on set and mimicking Shatrughan Sinha's distinctive baritone. Lever reportedly said to Kapoor on the call: 'Anil, how are you? All good, where are you? Let's meet in the evening. Oh, so you have come to shoot for Tezaab, very good, very good. Let's meet in the evening.'
A clearly unsuspecting Anil Kapoor reportedly kept responding with a deferential 'Yes sir, yes sir,' visibly nervous at the prospect of speaking with the senior actor.
The Reveal and Kapoor's Reaction
Unable to contain himself, Johnny Lever eventually burst out laughing and revealed the truth — that Kapoor had not been speaking with Shatrughan Sinha at all. The punchline left Anil Kapoor reportedly 'extremely annoyed', though the story has since become a fond piece of Bollywood trivia.
Notably, the prank underscores how deeply the hierarchy of stardom ran in late-1980s Hindi cinema, where a call from a senior actor like Sinha would command immediate reverence from even a rising star of Kapoor's stature.
About Tezaab
Directed by N. Chandra, Tezaab starred Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit in the lead roles, with a supporting cast that included Anupam Kher, Chunky Panday, Aruna Irani, Suparna Anand, Kiran Kumar, Annu Kapoor, Suresh Oberoi, and Tej Sapru. The film's music was composed by the celebrated duo Laxmikant–Pyarelal.
Released on 11 November 1988, Tezaab went on to become the highest-grossing Indian film of that year — a commercial triumph that cemented Kapoor's status as a leading man of the era.
What Anil Kapoor Is Doing Next
Anil Kapoor is currently awaiting the release of the spy thriller Alpha, directed by Shiv Rawail and co-starring Alia Bhatt, Bobby Deol, and Sharvari. Billed as the first female-led entry in the YRF Spy Universe, the film has generated significant anticipation. He is also set to appear alongside Shah Rukh Khan in King, helmed by director Siddharth Anand.
Point of View
But its real subtext is the power structure of 1980s Bollywood — where a call from Shatrughan Sinha would reduce even a chart-topping star to a bundle of nerves. Lever's genius was reading that hierarchy and weaponising it for comedy. That Kapoor can now laugh about it on national television is also a reminder of how the industry's internal dynamics have shifted over four decades.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prank did Johnny Lever play on Anil Kapoor?
During the filming of Tezaab, Johnny Lever called Anil Kapoor on the phone while impersonating veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha, causing Kapoor to respond nervously with repeated 'Yes sir' replies. Lever later revealed the truth, leaving Kapoor extremely annoyed.
Where did Johnny Lever share this story?
Johnny Lever recounted the prank during his appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show, in response to host Kapil Sharma asking whether he had ever pranked anyone on the phone.
What was Tezaab and how did it perform at the box office?
Tezaab was a 1988 Bollywood film directed by N. Chandra, starring Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit. Released on 11 November 1988, it became the highest-grossing Indian film of that year.
Who else was part of the Tezaab cast?
Besides Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit, the film featured Anupam Kher, Chunky Panday, Aruna Irani, Suparna Anand, Kiran Kumar, Annu Kapoor, Suresh Oberoi, and Tej Sapru. Music was composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal.
What are Anil Kapoor's upcoming films?
Anil Kapoor is set to appear in Alpha, the first female-led film in the YRF Spy Universe directed by Shiv Rawail and co-starring Alia Bhatt, Bobby Deol, and Sharvari. He is also part of King, directed by Siddharth Anand and starring Shah Rukh Khan.
