The actor talks about the rumours of trouble between him and Krushna Abhishek and his recent weight loss
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; January 28, 2021)

Comedian and actor Kiku Sharda, who has been associated with Kapil Sharma’s team since 2013, found himself in the midst of a controversy recently after he cracked a joke involving Govinda and Krushna Abhishek in one of the episodes on The Kapil Sharma Show. In an exclusive chat, he not only addresses the rumours, but also talks about his views on other comedy shows, his fitness routine and more. Excerpts:

There are rumours doing the rounds that Krushna Abhishek was offended because you cracked a joke on his equation with Govinda...
In one of the episodes when Varun Dhawan had come on the show to promote his film, Krushna said, ‘Chhee chhee, aise baat nahi karte.’ To which I retorted, ‘Chi Chi (Govinda) toh aapse baat nahi karte.’ This was completely scripted and rehearsed, Krushna was aware of the lines. It was a joke and Krushna is not that shallow to take everything so seriously in life. Why would I poke him about something he is uncomfortable with? Both Krushna and I have worked separately on the show and also together in pairs. I feel this was just picked up randomly by someone to create controversy. I love Krushna and we gel really well.

In the past few years, several comedian-actors who exited Kapil Sharma’s show did other comedy shows. But they did not last long...
I am not going to point fingers at anyone and dissect why their shows didn’t work. If an actor is not in Kapil’s show and has left for whatever reasons, he will do something else, he won’t just sit at home. In the past, even I have done shows that have wrapped up in three months. The controversy that happened is an old story now, and if actors are not coming back to this show, they might as well try something new. There are various factors that make a show, so if the shows of other actors did not work, it’s not their fault. I don’t think it is fair to take names or bring down someone because their show didn’t do well.

You were a part of the first season of the TV show Har Mushkil Ka Hal Akbar Birbal. The second season starring Ali Asgar wrapped up in just two months...
It is not easy to pull off the second season of any show. Also, the second season was very different and not in the same format, so how can I comment? I have not done a daily for many years after doing FIR and Partners since I have been part of Kapil’s show.

Ali Asgar has often said that he is tired of playing monotonous comic characters. Do you also feel that portraying the same characters for a long time can get boring?
If I did not find my job entertaining or wasn’t passionate about it, then it would not have translated into fun for audiences. It is true that you feel complacent, but we move into other characters immediately to get rid of the boredom. In the last five years, I have tried various characters and at times, one does feel stuck. That’s why we have tried so many different things. I feel that full credit should be given to our writers for keeping the momentum going.

How did you cope with the Coronavirus pandemic situation last year?
I lost 12 kgs last year. I was 121 kgs and have now come down to 109 kgs. But it is not because I want to become thin or look lean. I want to continue being agile and active as ever onscreen. I did not go to the gym, but made sure I walked around 10,000 steps every day and reduced oily food in my diet. This helped me reduce about two to three kgs every month.