Jimmy Moses

Jimmy Moses Janumala is an Indian stand-up comedian, actor, playback singer, and mimicry artist based in Mumbai, renowned for his witty one-liners, mimicry acts, and high-energy performances that blend humor with musical elements.^[1] As the younger brother of Bollywood's acclaimed comedian Johnny Lever, Moses entered the entertainment industry under his sibling's influence, initially managing Lever's work after completing his schooling before transitioning into comedy and acting himself.^[2]^[3] With more than two decades of experience, he has delivered approximately 4,000 live shows across over 30 countries, including international tours alongside stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Sonu Nigam, captivating audiences at corporate events, public gatherings, and comedy festivals worldwide.^[1]^[3] Moses's filmography features supporting roles in Bollywood productions such as Joru Ka Ghulam (1992), Krazzy 4 (2008), Chennai Express (2013) as a truck driver, Happy New Year (2014), and Soorma (2018) as an assistant coach.^[2]^[1] On television, he gained prominence through comedy programs like The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, Comedy Circus Ke Tansen (2011), Tu Tu Main Main, Mrs. Pammi Pyarelal, and more recently Tere Mere Beech Main (2024) as Bhanwar Lal, where his mimicry skills and improvisational humor shone.^[4]^[1]^[5] Additionally, as a playback singer, he has contributed vocals to various projects, though specific tracks are less documented in his public profile.^[1]

Early life

Childhood and family background

Jimmy Moses was born in Mumbai as Anandam Janumala to a Telugu Christian family. He is the younger brother of comedian Johnny Lever and grew up in the suburban areas of Dharavi and Antop Hill in Mumbai.^[6]

Education and entry into entertainment

After his tenth grade exams, Moses began managing his brother Johnny Lever's work. Mentored by Lever, he studied books by various humor artists to learn comedy techniques and started performing mimicry acts during local festivals, eventually transitioning to professional shows.^[6]

Personal life

Marriage and immediate family

Jimmy Moses married Sangeeta Janumala in the late 1990s. The couple has resided in Mumbai since their marriage, maintaining a private yet supportive family life amid his entertainment career.^[7]^[8] They have two children: a son, Marc Janumala, and a daughter, Naomi Janumala. Naomi, born and raised in Mumbai, pursued a career in modeling after being scouted on Instagram at age 16. She has become an international supermodel, walking runways for luxury brands such as Dior and Burberry, and serving as the global face of Rihanna's Fenty Beauty campaign in 2019, which highlighted diversity in beauty standards. As of April 2025, she has been recognized for her work with these brands.^[9]^[10]^[8]^[11]^[10] The family's close bonds were evident during key personal milestones, including annual anniversary celebrations that underscore their enduring partnership through the 2000s and 2010s, a period aligning with Moses' professional growth in comedy and stage performances. Naomi's rising success in the fashion world has further strengthened family ties, providing mutual encouragement during career highs.^[7]^[10]

Relation to Johnny Lever and extended family

Jimmy Moses is the younger brother of renowned Indian comedian Johnny Lever. Within the extended family, Jimmy maintains strong ties with Johnny's daughter, Jamie Lever, his niece, who has pursued a successful career in stand-up comedy since 2012. Jamie has credited Jimmy as her primary mentor, stating that "everything I know and I do is all because of my uncle Jimmy Moses," who guided her in timing, delivery, and stage presence during her initial years, complementing the support from her father.^[12]^[13] The brothers' sibling support remains evident in personal endorsements and family interactions, such as Jimmy's public acknowledgment of Johnny's influence in shaping his comedic style during interviews, reflecting an enduring partnership beyond professional realms.^[14]

Career

Beginnings in comedy and mimicry

After completing his schooling, Jimmy Moses initially managed his brother Johnny Lever's work schedule before transitioning into entertainment. Influenced by Lever, he began performing mimicry at local festivals and events in Mumbai, honing his skills as a comedian and impressionist.^[15]^[14] In the 2000s, he gained recognition in major stage productions, including a role in the comedic play Haste Haste Lag Gaye Raste.^[9]

Stage shows and international tours

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Moses elevated his live performance career through extensive international tours alongside prominent Bollywood figures such as Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, as well as singer Sonu Nigam. These tours reached audiences in more than 30 countries, accumulating around 4,000 shows that highlighted his global appeal.^[15]^[9] In live settings, Moses blends stand-up comedy with expert mimicry of Bollywood celebrities, delivering high-energy routines that engage diverse crowds during corporate events, public performances, and concerts.^[16] As of October 2025, he remains active on stage, with recent engagements including a stand-up appearance at Kala Utsav in Dubai.^[17]^[18]

Film appearances

Moses has appeared in supporting roles in several Bollywood films. His early credit includes Joru Ka Ghulam (1992). He played a truck driver in Chennai Express (2013) and featured in Happy New Year (2014). In Soorma (2018), he portrayed assistant coach Joseph Lobo.^[2]^[1]^[19]

Television and playback singing

Moses gained prominence on television through comedy programs, including as a contestant on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and Comedy Circus Ke Superstars (2010). He appeared in Comedy Circus Ke Tansen (2011), Tu Tu Main Main, and made a cameo in Mrs. Pammi Pyarelal.^[4]^[1] As a playback singer, he has contributed to soundtracks such as Krazzy 4 (2008) and Luv Ka the End (2011).^[2]