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Subhash K Jha (DNA; July 7, 2014)

Kapil Sharma was given a pretty tough decision to make — honour show commitments or pick his debut flick, Bank Chor. A very reliable source whispers in our ear, “Right from the outset, Kapil was clear that the only way he could accommodate a movie offer into his television commitments, was if the channel agreed to convert his show Comedy Nights With Kapil from a bi-weekly to a weekly. In their defense, the channel also made it amply clear that they wouldn’t, under any circumstance.”

Tension between Kapil and the channel was already brewing over the issue of the late telecast of episodes (it’s usually slotted at 10 pm) by as much as 30-35 minutes to accommodate Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa. Earlier Kapil’s show was being pushed forward to accommodate Fear Factor.

Adds the source, “Kapil was understandably peeved by the delay in telecast.When Kapil brought these delays to the channel’s notice, nothing was done to control the schedule issues. Matters worsened when the channel informed Kapil that they would introduce another comedy show on one week-night to supplement his show if he opted to make his show a weekly.”

The source continues, “Kapil is contemplating pulling out of the show completely if another comedy show is brought in.” Apparently, the channel’s CEO Raj Nayak had to intervene to sort out the differences between Kapil and the channel.

“It’s fine now. But Kapil cannot run off to do a film at the cost of his television show. He cannot cut down on the show’s frequency. And if he can’t take time off from Comedy Nights With Kapil, he can’t do his film right now,” maintains the source.

Kapil maintains his priority is Comedy Nights With Kapil. “And my mother. She is here with me in Mumbai because I couldn’t go to Punjab to be with her. I have to leave for London soon, so I am rushing through my episodes of Comedy Nights.”