BOMBAY TIMES (September 15, 2020)

With his impeccable comic timing and witty one-liners, Kapil Sharma has become synonymous with laughter on Indian television. The actor-comedian has also featured in a few films, including two in Bollywood — Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon and Firangi. In a recent chat with BT, Kapil said that he wants to do more movies. “Mann hai bahut films karne ka. I have done two films (in Hindi), and both turned out to be amazing experiences — shooting in various locations with talented co-stars. Nowadays, there is a demand for a lot of content and this is a good time for artistes, as there are so many platforms and more opportunities.”

Interestingly, while it is comedy that has made Kapil a household name, he says that he wants to try serious roles. “Mujhe chance mila toh serious roles bhi karna hai, I want to explore serious roles. Not many people know ki maine apne career ki shuruaat serious roles se hi ki thi. Jab main comedy nahin karta tha, jab theatre karta tha, tab maine comedy plays kiye hi nahi. Mere saare plays serious the. Now, I hope I get a chance to do a serious role,” he shares. Addressing filmmakers in the industry, in his usual tongue-in-cheek style, Kapil adds, “Aap itna bhi mujhe funny na samjhe, main bahut serious aadmi hoon, toh mujhe aap zaroor le serious role ke liye.”

When asked if there are any movies in the pipeline, he says, “There are a couple of projects in the scripting stage, I hope they get finalised soon.”

Encouraged by wife Ginni, Kapil Sharma resumed shoot after four months
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 1, 2020)

After 120 days, Kapil Sharma is back on the sets of Sony TV’s laughathon. After resuming work, the comedian-actor shot the first episode of The Kapil Sharma Show with Sonu Sood, who has emerged as a real-life hero during the Coronavirus pandemic, sending the migrant workers home and offering others jobs. “The episode with Sonu paaji was different from other shoots as it’s more like our tribute to him and with a dose of laughter. There is also an emotional live video chat with some of the migrants he helped,” informs Kapil, adding that Sonu was accompanied by his entire team working with him on-ground.

He shares that the video chats will be a regular part of the show now, since they cannot have live audiences in the studio. They will be interacting with people from Gurgaon to Kolkata to the US in an attempt to bring a little bit of sunshine to people’s lives in these tough times. They have shot a special episode with the families of all the comic artistes on the show. “Films are not releasing theatrically right now, so actors won’t come often. But, we have done an episode with Archana ji’s (judge Puran Singh) husband, Parmeet Sethi, Kiku’s (Sharda) wife Priyanka and Krushna’s (Abhishek) wife, Kashmera. “It was a homely feeling,” he smiles, admitting his better half Ginny won’t be stepping out for the next six months, till their baby starts walking. “In fact, I’ve heard that parents get even busier when the child starts walking. But sometime in the future, we’d like to do an episode with Ginny too.”

Their daughter, Anayra, was born in December and Kapil sees the forced break as a blessing in disguise as he got to spend a lot of time with her. “I canned back-to-back episodes in December as a result of which I didn’t get much time with her. Anayra was three months old when the lockdown was imposed. One needs to find happiness in all situations,” he philosophises, admitting that while he was at peace with his family, he was disturbed by what was happening across the globe. “I was feeling a little low, which is why my wife insisted I get back to shooting to take my mind off all this.”

Kapil and his gang have shot multiple episodes so far and the host insists that discussing gags with his team can be an escape from reality. “We are on the set for eight to 10 hours a day, it feels good to be amongst friends. The producers have made good arrangements to ensure our safety,” he avers, promising they will try to give a comic touch to current affairs. “We will talk of Covid too, but on a lighter note. As an artiste, it’s my responsibility to spread positivity.”

The show will be aired every weekend from now. Will producer Salman Khan come as a guest on any episode? “Salman bhai has isolated himself at the farm and isn’t shooting for anything now. But Nadeem bhai from his team is always on the set,” he says.

Ask him about his journey from being a participant on the stand-up comedy show, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, to having a show with his name and he says, “It’s the love of people that has got me so much work. Whenever you think, you have learnt it all, life teaches you something new. I am learning every day and this love gives me the energy to push the envelope.”

After Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon and Firangi, is there another film in the pipeline? “I am listening to a lot of scripts,” he shoots back.

Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; July 18, 2020)

He is inherently funny, no wonder that even in tough times, he finds a reason to laugh out loud. He narrates real-life situations in his usual tongue-in-cheek fashion that will make you crack up. We guess, that’s a trait and a skill, which comes with being a fine comedian — that you can stand up and face crisis, all with a dose of humour. In a conversation with BT, Kapil Sharma talks about living and enjoying the new phase of his life in the new normal, the lessons that he’s learnt from his past blunders and how there is still that ‘bachpana’ in him, which he’d like to hold on to. Read on...

We have all been mostly homebound for over three months now. Given how hectic the shooting schedule of your show used to be, did this come as a much-needed break?
Mujhe films dekhne ka bahut shauk hai, but I never got enough time. I have watched so many movies and shows during this period that all the stories have merged in my head. During the first 50 days (of the Coronavirus lockdown), I ate a lot. Then, when I saw my triple chin, maine socha... ab aur nahin (laughs!). Agar yeh lockdown chalta rahega and I keep eating this way, jab baahar nikloonga toh log pehchanenge nahin. Then, I started exercising and controlling my diet a bit. Also, time has flown by for me, as my entire life revolves around my little daughter, Anayra.

Parenting is said to be a life-changing experience. Your daughter Anayra is seven months old now. Tell us about this new phase of fatherhood in your life...
Yes, it is life-changing. Earlier, when I was a bachelor, life was different. Main yaar-doston ke ghar pe hota tha, ya woh mere ghar pe. Mehfil lagi rehti thi. All that changed after marriage, and I started spending more time at home with my wife (Ginni). And now, after the baby’s arrival, it has changed even more. A baby brings in surprises into our life every day. After marriage, our conversations were about each other, lekin baby ke hone ke baad, everything is centered around her. Life gets more disciplined, but the reverse can also happen, because when the child wakes up at 4 am, you have to wake up, too. However, in my case, the good thing is that Anayra does not have to wake me up… usko uska baap always jagaa hua milta hai chaar baje. I think daughters have a special connect with fathers. Right now, I feel Anayra thinks that duniya mein teen hi log hai…baap, ma aur nanny. Because of the lockdown, she hasn’t really seen anyone else. Mujhe lagta hai usko dikhana padega ki baahar kareeb 130 crore log aur bhi hai, abhi toh sirf hum hi duniya main hain woh maan ke chal rahi hai.

Kapil, you have seen several highs and lows — personally, and professionally — and every time, you have bounced back. What did the low phase in your life teach you? Also, did it change you as a person?
Mujhe abhi bhi lagta hai ke mera bachpana nahin gaya hai. I guess, I like to be in that zone. I think that life teaches you something every day. After marriage and fatherhood, there is certainly a mind shift and you start thinking that abhi mujhe iske liye jeena hai, iske liye apne aap ko fit rakhna hai.

I have had my share of highs and lows, but sometimes, we allow certain problems and issues to come into our life and disturb our rhythm. The way we react to the problem is what makes it bigger or smaller. Maine ek cheez seekhi hai, ki aap saari duniya ko khush nahin kar sakte ho. Yes, through your work you probably can, but personally, agar aap lage rehte ho har kisi ko khush karne mein, uss chakkar mein aap apne aap ko hurt kar baithte ho. Mere life mein aise bahut saare experiences hai, kitne blunders hue hai life mein…mujhe lagta hai ab bhi bahut kuch seekhna baaki hai. However, a lot of things that seemed blurred earlier have now become clear to me.

Has humour, which comes so naturally to you, helped you tide through tough times?
Yes, humour can help you through your low phases. If you are going through a bad phase and you see people in front of you haste-khelte, unki energy aapke upar positive asar daalti hai. It’s not like mera profession comedy hai toh main hamesha khush hi rahoonga. Meri zindagi mein bhi utaar-chadhav bahut aate hai. Woh andar wali happiness bahut zaroori hai, aur woh kahan pe hai…aapko dhoondni padti hai. Like this phase that we are going through, I value it because I am getting so much time with my family. Creative people also need time for themselves, so there is something positive about it, too. So yes, humour can help us get through tough times, aur zindagi ko jitni lightly le, utni mazey se kat jaayegi. We overthink so much about what happened in the past and what could happen in the future, that we miss out on the joys that we have in the present.

Several stand-up comedians are doing shows from their homes for an online audience. In a recent chat with us, some of them expressed how it does not give the same high and excitement that comes from the laughs and claps of a live audience. What’s your view?
My show is recorded for television, but there, too, we have a live audience on the set. So, I understand what they are saying…jo live show ka maza hota hai artiste ke liye, woh kuch aur hi hai. In stand-up comedy, a lot depends on the response of the people watching you. Mere case mein toh, main apni audience ke saath bada hasee-mazak karta rehta hoon. It’s so interactive. Aapne ek joke crack kari aur taaliyan aayi logon ki, tab tak aap kuch doosra soch lete ho. Toh performing in front of an audience and sitting at home doing a show on Insta live for an online audience — usme zameen-aasman ka fark hai. Jo maza stage pe aata hai, woh kahin nahi mil sakta.

So, you must be keenly waiting to go back on set and do what you love most?
Itna velle rehni ki aur khane ki aadat padh gayi hai ki abhi lagta hai ki zindagi aise hi hai. Jab khatam ho jayenge jo bhi paise savings mein rakhe hain, tab pata chalega hamein (laughs!).

The two haven’t worked together since their altercation in 2017, but Kapil says that he still thinks about ideas for a possible collaboration
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; June 5, 2020)

At one time, Kapil Sharma and Sunil Grover were considered to be one of the most popular comedy jodis on Indian television. And, their fallout a few years ago was as talked about as their on-screen camaraderie. But those close to Kapil and Sunil are aware that even today, they have high regard for each other as artistes. In a recent chat with Bombay Times, Kapil clearly expressed that if a project presented itself, he would like to work with Sunil again.

“Sunil paaji se mulakaat hoti rehti hai. We recently met at Gurdas Maan’s son’s wedding in Punjab, and then, at another wedding in Delhi. Chhoti chhoti woh cheezein jo hotey hai usse rishtey toh khatam nahin hotey hai. Sunil is such a fine actor. When I work with different artistes I always feel that there is so much to learn. Maine Sunil paaji se bahut cheezein seekhe hai, aur future mein, if a good project comes by, unke saath kaam karne mein bada mazaa aayega,” says Kapil.

Talking about his rapport with Sunil, who became famous as Gutthi, he adds, “When we are together, we don’t have to work too hard, kyunki hum ek doosre ko bahut acchi tarah se jaante hai. I keep thinking that my current show (The Kapil Sharma Show) is going on well, toh shayad kuch doosre platforms ke liye Sunil paaji ko leke kuch plan karu…aise ideas dimaag mein daudte rehte hai.”

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; April 5, 2020)

At a time when the country is practising social distancing to keep Coronavirus at bay, celebrities are making the most of their free time by pursuing their hobbies and spending quality time with their family.

A case in point is ace comedian Kapil Sharma, who is enjoying every minute of this stay-at-home phase with his three-monthold daughter, Anayra. He shares, “Aaj kal saara din baby ke saath khelta rehta hoon, and khaata aur sota hoon, bas. Badi mushkil se routine sahi hui thi. Usko settle aur hamein time par sote hue 10 din hi hue the ki phir se routine change ho gaya. Abhi baby bhi bore ho gayi hai dekh dekh ke mujhe saara din. Usko lagta hai, ‘Mera baap kuchh karta hi nahi hai’ (laughs!).”

Kapil has mostly been at home ever since his bundle of joy arrived. “In a way, I have been in a lockdown state since December 10, the day Anayra was born. I would step out only for two days a week to shoot for the show,” he says.

The comedian, who has barely spoken to the media about his daughter so far, tells us that he can’t keep his eyes off his baby. He says, “I don’t even realise when the day goes by. Abhi uska mere saath thoda zyada attachment ho gaya hai. Pehle Ginni (wife) ko hi dekh kar hasti thi. Since the past few days, she has started recognising me and even smiles. That feeling is out of the world. She totally justifies her name — Anayra, which means happiness. She smiles like my mother and me. Hum teeno ki aankhein band ho jaati hain haste time. Khoobsurat apni mummy jaisi hai woh, and thank God for that (laughs!).”

This phase has also led to a lot of introspection and realisation. Kapil shares, “We take a lot of things for granted. The lockdown has made us realise the value of people who work for us relentlessly. I have also realised that my mother has started behaving like a child, now that she has crossed a certain age. Jaise gajak (sweet) aayi thi Punjab se toh mummy ne bahut sari gajak dabbe mein daal kar apne room mein rakh lee. When I asked for it, I was told that it’s not in the kitchen and that I needed to ask my mother.”

He adds, “It’s been 14 years since I moved to Mumbai, but it’s for the first time maine koyal ki awaaz suni aur sparrows dekhe; something that I would see in my hometown, Amritsar. It feels like nature is in detox mode. Having said that, I want normalcy back in our lives again. Sadkon par raunak rahe toh achha lagta hai. Kisko achha lagta hai soonsaan pada hua hain sheher saara.”

Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 30, 2020)

“I have been home ever since my daughter was born in December. I would step out only to shoot for my show’s episodes. Now, of course, we aren’t shooting, so staying at home hasn’t really been all that different,” says Kapil Sharma.

He is glad to be at home with his three-month old daughter Anayra and wife Ginni as “time passes quickly when you have a child at home”. Moreover, he has been watching online content, has written a stand up skit and has started reading books that he had bought at airports but never read. He says, “I am happy that India has things under control, and I pray that the Coronavirus lockdown works and helps us get rid of the virus. People should follow it strictly but some of them aren’t taking it seriously as they don’t know the gravity of the situation. We should learn from countries that were prepared and ones that were not, about what to do and what not to do.”

The actor-comedian says that this lockdown has allowed a lot of nature to come back in our midst, “Earlier, I hardly could hear birds chirping, but recently, I was glad to hear a Koyal singing, and even spotted some sparrows near my house. It felt like kudrat detox kar rahi hai. We have developed a lot but in that race, we took nature for granted.”

Sharma also recently went live on Facebook, and spoke to his fans about Covid-19, the lockdown and the seriousness of it. He adds, “God forbid, if we were facing water shortage across the world, it would unimaginable. We should save water, ban plastic, and plant more trees. No one had ever imagined that a virus would bring the world to a standstill, but this virus has brought the world together. We have to change the way we think.”

Sharma has donated ₹50 lakh to the PM’s relief fund and urges others to do what they can to help people. “I read that [Telugu stars] Pawan Kalyan and Ram Charan had donated to the fund, so I felt I should as well. I tweeted about it so that people come forward and do their bit. At this time, any sum is helpful. We can afford to stay at home without pay checks for months but there are so many daily wage earners who need our help right now. I am also helping the NGOs near my house who are helping the strays and needy people in the vicinity,” he signs off.

Radhika Bhirani (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 10, 2019)

Comedy king Kapil Sharma is waiting for December when he is due to become a daddy. He has put his tryst with depression two years ago behind him, and is glad that he is back to doing what he knows best — making people laugh.

“We’re happy and excited,” says Kapil, who is married to Ginni Chatrath. “Everyone around me feels good my phase (of depression) has passed,” he adds.

A series of events pushed Kapil into the dark abyss of depression. And he says it was only with a strong support system of family and friends that he could overcome it and bounce back. “In that phase, you need your family and friends the most. I am happy that I’m out of that phase, and there are so many learnings once you fight it,” he says.

The issue with depression, Kapil shares, is that one doesn’t even realise there is a problem. “You feel everything in your life is negative, so you also become negative. Family and friends must take care if there’s someone who does not behave normally, doesn’t feel like stepping out for office, wants to constantly remain in the house, that too confined in a room,” he suggests.

The actor-comedian, who hails from Amritsar, feels this is especially rampant in metros like Delhi and Mumbai where life is fast-paced.

Kapil prays for those going through depression, and has some words of wisdom to share. “Everyone’s circumstances are different... Sometimes, a change of environment can help. Stay as positive as you can. Fight it, meet your friends...don’t leave your circle. Don’t isolate yourself because it can turn worse,” he adds.

Kapil Sharma on dubbing for the hot-headed bird in the film’s Hindi version
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 25, 2019)

Three years after the release of Angry Birds, an animated film based on a popular video game by the same name, the makers are coming up with a sequel. Like most Hollywood films, The Angry Birds Movie 2 will be dubbed in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu for its release in India. Mirror has learnt that Kapil Sharma has been roped in to lend his voice to the central character, Red, for the film’s Hindi version.

Comedian-actor Jason Sudeikis has been voicing the character in English and though nervous about matching his pitch, Kapil eventually found the dubbing to be fun because “there was ample of scope to improvise”. Pointing out that dubbing for a film is different than voicing for a character, he says, “In the West, artists first voice for their characters and based on that, the film is shot using graphics. But over here, we have to talk according to the graphics.”

The comedian-actor, who rose to fame with a television show, confesses that he could relate to the character he was voicing for. “He is the hero but, at times, he gets entangled in tough situations. Knowing my history, you’d agree I am Red”, he chuckles.

Kapil goes on to promise that his audience will not be disappointed as Red is quite funny just like him. “The producers (Sony Pictures Entertainment India) expected me to scale up the humour and I have but it’s very situational. In fact, there are times when the character’s anger will make people laugh,” he reveals, adding that he is certain that people will connect to Red. “Though I’ll be voicing the character, they won’t see me in it,” he assures.

Recently, Shah Rukh Khan, Varun Dhawan, Ranveer Singh have lent their voice for the Hindi version of Hollywood films. Ask Kapil if the trend is here to stay and he reasons, “When Shah Rukh Bhai dubbed for the film, the audience could relate more to the character because it spoke in a voice they recognised.”

On the personal front, Kapil and Ginni Chatrath, who tied the knot in December last year, are set to welcome their first child. “I just want to take care of my wife and be by her side for now. We are obviously very excited as it’s our first kid but my mother is the most excited. She has been waiting for this moment for years now. We are just praying for Ginni and the baby’s health,” Kapil shares. And how is he prepping up for his role of a father? “There is no prep because we don’t know if it would be a boy or girl. It’s a happy time for the family and everybody is looking forward to welcome the new member,” he says dismissively before quipping, “I am dubbing for a film for children. So, once the baby grows up, it will pay off,” he grins.

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; November 26, 2018)

After enthralling us with his comic timing and wit, the last couple of years saw Kapil Sharma grabbing headlines by being controversy’s favourite child. However, he does not believe in giving up. The ace comedian is set for a comeback on the small screen and will also tie the knot with long-time girlfriend Ginni Chatrath, in December. In an exclusive chat with BT, Kapil and Ginni speak for the first time, sharing their love story and marriage plans. Excerpts…

Kapil, after your last show — Family Time With Kapil Sharma — ended, everyone thought that your career was over...
Maine qatal kar diya jo wapas nahi aaunga? Why will I not come back? You cannot think straight when you are mentally not in a good state. It feels like everything is going wrong. I realise that people are waiting for me to come back when I meet them outside. Fans usually seek permission from TV and film stars before clicking pictures with them, but with me, they behave as if I am one of them. Mujhse poochte nahi hain, pakad lete hain. Haath pakad liya aur jhappi li. It feels nice. I left home to become a singer and didn’t realise when I turned comedian.

Ginni, how did you support him in his difficult times?
Ginni: I supported him in every phase. I was with him day and night, making sure that he was comfortable. God was with me and being patient paid off.
Kapil: She is very spiritual. I told her that you pray so much, pray for me, too. Mera dimag sahi nahi rehta, ajeeb sa lagta hai sab kuch. She would tell me that she prays only for me. She has been my emotional anchor; she has surrendered herself for my well-being. I will do as she says, because I know that she is right; hosh mein decision leti hai.

Kapil was under stress and also had anxiety issues. As a partner, it must have been difficult for you to handle the situation...
Ginni: He has given me so much love and care, I just paid it back during his difficult phase.
Kapil: It’s not easy for an outsider to understand this industry. She will take some time to learn the ropes. Abhi abhi toh Mumbai mein aayi hai; ab seekhegi aur dekhegi ki kaise kaam hota hai, main kaise kaam karta hoon aur log kaise hain.

We hadn’t heard much about Ginni earlier. Kapil, how did your love story begin?
Kapil: She studied in HMV College (Jalandhar). I was a scholarship holder, as I was a national winner in theatre. I was a student of APJ College and in order to make some pocket money, I started directing plays. I went to audition students at her college and that’s how we met in 2005.
Ginni: I had gone to audition for gidda (a dance form) and was sitting outside the auditorium. It was my teacher who insisted that I audition for the play.
Kapil: She was 19 then and I was 24. I was tired of taking auditions and explaining the role to the girls. Ginni was so good that I was quite impressed with her and told her to audition the girls for me. As we started the rehearsals, she started bringing food for me. Back then, I thought that she was doing it out of respect.
Ginni: I had started liking him (smiles). I would cook early in the morning with my mother’s help and take food for him every day.
Kapil: My friend told me that Ginni likes me, but I rubbished him. One day, I directly asked Ginni, ‘Tu mujhe like toh nahi karti?’ and she denied. Later, at a youth festival, I introduced her to my mother as one of my students. Then I came to Mumbai for the Laughter Challenge audition and by then, I had also appeared on a Punjabi TV channel. Ginni was impressed with me because I was studying and working at such a young age. When I got rejected for Laughter Challenge, I called her and said, ‘Please don’t call me’. I felt that our friendship has no future, as her financial condition was better and we belonged to different castes. So, we took a break. When I got selected for Laughter Challenge after auditioning again, she called to congratulate me.
Ginni: We were in touch on and off. When he got rejected for the first time, I had told him that everything would be fine.
Kapil: When I started earning well, my mother took my marriage proposal to her family, which got rejected. Inke papaji ne bade pyaar se bola, ‘Shut up’ (laughs!). Thereafter, I got busy with work, while she pursued an MBA in finance. I guess, she kept studying to avoid marriage proposals. At that time, I was settled in Mumbai, and so much was happening in my life. I then realised ki itna kuchh hua hai, but isne kabhi mujhe disturb nahi kiya. Itna patience kisi mein nahi dekha maine. Jab ye sab gadbad chal rahi thi, that’s when I decided that it was the right time to marry. It was my decision, because ye toh padhai kare hi jaa rahi thi (laughs!). So, on December 24, 2016, I called and told Ginni that I wanted to marry her. My mother has always been fond of her.

Ginni, what made you decide that Kapil is ‘The One’ for you? He was a student when you first met him, but he is a star now...
Ginni: Kapil is a gem of a person and very caring. There is no one like him and I can’t find anyone better than him. He is a family man. If he loves his mother and sister so much, it’s certain that he would love his partner, too. He is a star for the audience, not for me. He is still humble the way he was years ago and hasn’t changed at all.

Do the stories about him affect you, especially because you are not from the industry?
Ginni: I trust him blindly. Whatever he says, that’s the truth for me. I don’t care what the world says.
Kapil: I used to feel that I wouldn’t be able to marry, since I am not a responsible person. I love two things — my work and music. I have many friends in the music industry and I would often jam with them, without taking stock of time. Initially, I wouldn’t like anyone calling me at that hour. After a point, however, I started feeling the void. I think that with time, I realised the importance of having a partner.

Tell us about your wedding plans.
Kapil: The wedding is on December 12 in Jalandhar. Contrary to reports, we are not engaged yet and will complete all the ceremonies in December. My mother has organised a jagran at my home on December 10, and there will be an ‘Akandh Path’ at Ginni’s house on December 30. Our pre-wedding functions will include the bangle ceremony, cocktail and mehendi. We had decided to host a reception on December 22, but it is subject to change, as we are yet to finalise the venue. We are not going on a honeymoon anytime soon, because I will start shooting for my show immediately.

Ginni, what do you plan to do after moving to Mumbai post marriage?
Ginni: I will set up an apparel business, because he, too, will be caught up.

So, what are you looking forward to in 2019?
Kapil: I would like to balance my personal and professional life. I will take breaks regularly aur ghoomna hai. I will take time out for myself, it’s important. I have decided to not trust people blindly. I have also quit alcohol.
Ginni: I am looking forward to our marriage (smiles).

Kapil, what’s your fitness regimen now?
Kapil: A teacher comes every morning, and both Ginni and I practise yoga. I also hit the gym in the evening. Shaadi se pehle jitna (weight) kam kar lenge, kar lenge. Achhi photo aayengi.

Jaspreet Nijher (BOMBAY TIMES; October 12, 2018)

Among all the controversies that actor, comedian and film producer Kapil Sharma has courted, the latest about his wedding to childhood girlfriend Ginni Chatrath is tickling him the most. In Chandigarh on Tuesday, while answering a query on his proposed marriage in December, Kapil said, “Among all the things I was doing, preparing for a comeback on TV, producing a Punjabi film, I got this udti-udti khabar that I am getting married in December. Mera bhi dil karta hai shaadi karane ka, but the point is, let's first focus on the things that are priority for me currently and that need to be done. Marriage can wait.” Adding to this, his friend, actor, comedian Gurpreet Ghuggi quipped, “When Kapil is getting married, when he has kids…we will inform everyone about these developments. Why should we hide this?”

When asked about the other debates that have kept his professional life in the news, Kapil shrugged, “I have become thick-skinned now. Earlier, I would worry about what people are saying about me, and why. Now, I realise people say things because negativity thrives, and it sells. If I go to the temple with my mother in the morning and press her feet, no one wants to report that.” However, the comedian says that he has burnt his fingers, too, while speaking his mind. “Earlier, towards the evenings, I would get emotional and write something on social media that I felt from my heart. But then I would regret that, seeing the trolls. Now I have sworn off writing anything on Twitter in an emotional mindset.”

Kapil also rubbished reports of his ongoing battle with erstwhile friend Sunil Grover. “Somethings belong in the past, let’s leave them there,” he mocked, adding, “Sunil is a dear friend whom I met recently. Right now he has his own commitments, he is doing Bharat with Salman Khan and recently did Patakha. TV is long-standing commitment, and I am sure when he finds enough time from films, he will come to us on TV.”

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; November 10, 2017)

In the last six to eight months, a lot has happened with Kapil Sharma, being the centre of attention. His dependence on alcohol grabbed eyeballs, his in-flight fight with co-actor Sunil Grover and others made headlines and his show faced a little dip in TRPs.

All in all, the year might not have been a great one for the star comedian on a professional level, but the actor firmly believes that 2017 has been the biggest learning graph in his life so far. Kapil has changed personally, he claims and amid all the rumours, is still raring to go. His film Firangi hits theatres this month.

In a candid conversation, the otherwise reticent Kapil talks about the various controversies that have surrounded his professional and personal life.

Did it ever cross your mind that the whole Sunil Grover controversy might affect your film?
I don’t feel that will happen. When two friends fight, it’s their thing. Every family and its members have issues. Whoever will go to the theatre too must have faced something like this for sure in life. I don’t think that people will decide to watch the film, vis-a-vis this factor or connect it with the film.

What about the support from the film industry?
Support ki baat karein toh Bachchan saab ne itna achha tweet kiya tha film ke baarein mein. Even Shah Rukh bhai wrote something for the team. So, it’s not like I don’t have anyone’s support. Maybe, because the show is off air now and people don’t get to see my photographs with all the industry actors, it might seem that I’m completely cut off from the industry. But I’m very much a part of the industry. I don’t think the whole controversy has affected that at all.

Did anyone from the industry reach out to you?
When my health wasn’t fine, when so many times shoots got cancelled, people from the industry called me to inquire about my well-being. There were stories where people said that I refused to shoot and sent Shah Rukh Khan back, but he was so sweet. He was more concerned about my health. Next day, he was shooting on another set, but when he got to know I was on sets, he came over post midnight. Then, we sat in his car for an hour or more, where he asked me how I was feeling. Likewise, there were Anil Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, and Arjun Kapoor, too. Everyone has enjoyed on my show. Toh ek toh unko lagne laga ki paanch saal se itna mazaa kar rahen hai, suddenly isko kya hua. But I genuinely had some problems and everyone sent me their best wishes.

In what ways have you changed over the last few months?
I haven’t seen much of a change in me! (Smiles) But yes, I have become more aware. I now know and understand the intention with which people around me, tell me things. I know what to listen and what to avoid. I am not too intelligent and I believe people way easily. But I have become calmer and even if there’s a bad situation, I try and maintain my calm all the time. I used to hyperventilate earlier and because the show is in my name, all their problems used to come to me. When two artistes were fighting among themselves, I had to interfere and if I scolded anyone, then the news would come twisted in my name. So now, I’m extremely aware of all that. So ab koi kuch bhi kahe, mujhe kuch nahi bolna hai. I will just focus on my work. Thoda samajhdar ho gaya hoon, shayad 5-10 percent.

Recently, you were at a rehab centre too, for your severe alcoholism...
(Cuts in) I wasn’t at a rehab. I don’t know who’s spread these rumours. Yes, it’s true that I started drinking a lot. But it wasn’t an addiction. I just took to the bottle because of anxiety and depression, after reading such news about myself. I went to Bangalore to Ayurvedagram and it isn’t a rehab. It’s for detox. There would be two-three massages everyday, you will be put on a strict vegetarian diet which they make alag se, then they will prescribe you some Ayurvedic medicines. They wake you up early mornings and make you do yoga. I used to have my breakfast at 7.30 am every morning there, then lunch at 1 pm. Life mein kabhi nahi tha yeh! I used to do meditation too. So, the first two-three days, it seemed like a jail. But then, I got adjusted to everything. But people have called it a rehab which it’s not.

There are still reports that you haven’t been able to give up alcohol...
Yes. Even after going to Bangalore, I stayed there for 15 days and they went great. They wanted me to stay there for 40 days and they wanted to control my lifestyle because I had a weakness and my food habits here were disturbed. But once I came back, I started drinking again. Again when I came back to Mumbai, to my same house, the same things started running in my mind and I again took to the bottle. Then, I realised that this isn’t the solution to it because it depresses you even further. When I keep working, I stay happy. But now, I’m busy with this film and the mixing, so now I don’t have time to do all that which is good.

How do you plan to control that problem?
When my trailer was ready, everyone asked me why I was still sitting at home and not coming out to promote the film. Then, I told them, ‘Kab karna hai trailer launch batao!’ So, just a day before the trailer launch, I gave up drinking regularly the way I used to, earlier.

And you didn’t drink post that till date?
No, a few times in between, I did. But those weren’t the same situations. It was not chronic drinking where I would drunk and get sloshed completely.

But will you ever give it up completely?
Of course, I want to. Because now I’ve seen that this hasn’t borne any great results for me anyway. (Laughs) But you know what I feel. No one stops drinking, kisi ke kehne pe. But there comes a time in everyone’s life when they just give it up. Although, even at a party in Dubai, when all the actors had travelled with us, they were all drinking but I wasn’t. I didn’t even touch it and I had made up my mind. That was last November. So three months, I didn’t drink at all. Again in February, there was a lot of fog when we were shooting and dil kar padha so socha ki chalo udhar thoda sa kar lete hain. (Laughs) There were a few problems in life and 50 things were happening at the same time. The fog had delayed my film, then an artist passed away and uske upar we had to go to Australia. When a man is upset, you lose the perspective of thinking what should be done that time. I didn’t have an elder guiding me. I stay alone here, so yes, the bottle was there and I just started drinking.

How does your mother react to stories about you?
Yes, my mom gets to know on hearsay, when people come and read out reports to her. But she’s a seedhi gaonwali. She kept asking me why I stopped my show. First few days, I lied to her and told her that it was because of the strike. I didn’t want to disturb her. But then, she would get to know from idhar-udhar that Kapil’s health isn’t great. So then she started worrying about me. I called her here in Mumbai and I would stay in front of her all the time at home. But andar jaake apne kamre mein raat ko pee loon toh usko kaha pata chalega (gets emotional). I have cheated my mom and I’m not proud of it. My mental condition wasn’t okay and I didn’t want to disturb my mother but now, she’s happy. In my film, she has a cameo. Actually, my sister and my bhabhi and my nephew are all there in the film, so saari family ko leke bana diya maine. (Laughs)

Your first film worked at the box office. Does that put pressure on you with your second film?
No, I just feel that my first film was dependent on the directors and Abbas-Mustan had done a fantastic job with it. The man who wrote the story also works with me on my TV shows so I was sure that the script was good and the directors will execute it well. Firangi is one film that I have been part of, since its inception. The writer who’s my friend, wrote it keeping me in mind. They know what I would be able to do and what would cause me discomfort. It is based in an era where people have only seen the dark side. The Partition is a difficult period of all of us. We have made it lighter — how people used to celebrate, fall in love, whether they were able to communicate love. So, when the product is ready, you don’t need to worry. Otherwise, also, I am a tension-free person.

Comedy is your forte. But Firangi doesn’t have too many comic elements. Was it a conscious move?
Absolutely. It was designed that way. Because when you are making a story in that era, there are different characters and it’s a human drama. We cannot forcefully put comedy scenes in the film, just for the heck of it. Yes, since I’m there, comedy will obviously be a part of the script. But Firangi has a lot more than just comedy. People told me when I did Kis Kis Ko Pyaar Karoon, they felt like they watched a two-hour long Kapil show. But this is different and has all the other elements too.

Have you decided on the future of your show? Will it be back?
Of course! Yes, there have been stories about the show not returning but that’s not true. We have always come up with different shows always. From Comedy Circus to The Kapil Sharma Show, we have done different things with different people. The characters and the actors keep changing and it doesn’t make a difference to me. But they all are with me and they were asking me when I was coming back with the show. Ali (Asgar), too, was asking me that. Baat hoti rehti hai.

You also announced you were getting married to Ginni Chatrath soon. What’s the status?
Wohi chakkar hai — ek time pe show kar liya, film bhi kar liya, ab shaadi karne ke liye bolenge toh zyada mushkil ho jayega! (Laughs) I feel I need to be more settled before getting married. I don’t think I’m ready for marriage right now.

Why?
See, whatever has happened with me over the last few months, sometimes I doubt myself if I’m responsible enough. Yes, I’m a professional and doing a show but will I be able to manage all of it and marriage too? I keep telling her (Ginni) that see, this is how I am, we work like crazy people when we do. But I also feel that marriage is also in God’s hands. We can keep planning but honi hoti toh sarkar ne 21 saal ki umar rakhi hai, toh tab tak ho chuki hoti. (Laughs)

How did Ginni react to all these stories?
She doesn’t read newspapers or watch news that much. If someone comes and tells her about things, then that’s about it. So bechari woh aisi hi hai. She’s just concerned about my health, that’s it. When she gets to hear of things about my health, she calls me and I cool her down saying I’m fine.

What kind of relationship do your family members share with your girlfriend?
Honestly, my family and she are more connected. I have stayed in Mumbai only and I go there only once a year on Diwali. So they have a stronger bond. They stay in Amritsar-Jalandhar so she’s extremely close to my mother. Actually, my mom knows more about Ginni than I do Which is why my mom is forcing me to get married to her. She feels I’m mad and Ginni is perfect for me because she can handle that madness.

There were always stories about your and Preeti Simoes’ relationship. What went wrong?
When we used to work together, because we did that a lot, it became like a relationship. See there’s one thing that you love somebody, you’re committed to that person and are planning to get married. We have worked so madly together so we have had our share of crazy fights with each other as well. So iss chakkar mein hum log kabhi uss zone mein gaye hi nahi. To see whether we can stay like this in our personal life as well. We always had healthy fights but there are a few things you just don’t know the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of. This was one such thing in my life. Main toh yahi ka hi hoke reh gaya tha. I wouldn’t go to Punjab often but there again is an added family pressure and sometimes, you just can’t manage everything (speaks softly). You feel sad about it.

Lastly, have you ever thought — what if you lose everything you’ve got, how would you deal with things?
I was initially rejected for Laughter Challenge. I gave another audition next year and I was selected. Then I went on to win the show. I did six seasons of Comedy Circus and I won in all of them. Mujhe laga ki ab baat winner ki ya uski nahi hai. I wanted to do something, from the heart completely. Then, we came up with Comedy Nights concept. When I made the sets, people passed comments like, ‘Yeh kya set banaya, aise toh hote nahi kabhi reality shows mein’. I asked them to just let me do things my way and then when it became a hit, everyone stopped talking.

The Kapil Sharma Show also became a hit after that and imagine Jackie Chan chose to come to our show and nowehere else. So that was a big achievement for me personally and professionally. My first film also worked well. So till date, I haven’t faced something like that. But yes, there were rejections initially in my career but I’m someone who will accept it and try again. But you can’t get scared of it and sit at home. Phir toh aage flop hone ka bhi chance nahi raha, if you don’t do anything. At least, you should do something, jiske liye aap flop hone ke layak toh ho! (Smiles)

Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; November 9, 2017)

After seeing a downfall, India’s favourite funny man Kapil Sharma is now on the road to reformation. He agrees that it will be a tough ride to regain his lost glory, but one that he is determined to make.

Sharma has already taken the first step — the comedian reveals that he has buried the hatchet with his long-time friend and The Kapil Sharma Show co-star, Sunil Grover. The two had a bitter fallout in March this year amidst rumours that the comedian had hurled a shoe at Grover on a flight. But it’s all in the past now.

Sharma hints at a reunion as he says, “Sunil and I haven’t met in a long time, but we chat over messages. He is currently in Canada. As soon as he returns, we will meet up and discuss the possibility of a new show. Hopefully, we should be back together. The rest of the cast members are also ready to come on board.”

Sharma agrees that the past incidents took a toll on their friendship. “When he had left the show earlier [to pursue his own show, Mad In India], I had dissuaded him from leaving us. This time too, I was sad that our issue had become so big that it had started affecting our friendship. I tried explaining to him that everyone makes mistakes and I too had committed one. But he wouldn’t have any of it.”

Probe him on the abrupt decision to pull The Kapil Sharma Show off air and he reasons, “The channel [officials] didn’t ask me to go off air. It was a mutual decision between us as I thought we needed to take a break. Also, I felt a lot was written on the controversy that happened.”

While a new show is on the cards, Sharma, at the moment, is looking forward to his Bollywood project, Firangi. He hopes the audience showers as much love on him in his big screen endeavour too. “We have usually seen emotional dramas on Partition. But Firangi is a satire on it. It is a situational humour which I hope people will appreciate.”

In a freewheeling chat, Kapil Sharma tells mid-day how panic attacks turned him into a recluse and caused his epic fall from stardom
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; October 25, 2017)

Television funnyman Kapil Sharma turned into an object of ridicule after experiencing super-stardom. With allegations ranging from success going to his head to battling mood swings to squabbling with co-actors, he now finds himself alone and vulnerable. His undoing began in March this year, after he took the now infamous Australia tour with the cast of his hit sketch comedy television show.

Yesterday, at the launch of his film, Firangi, the actor opened up on his decline. He said it was all triggered by panic attacks that he suffered. “I could not step on the stage to perform and would cancel the shoot. I suffered from anxiety and drank myself silly. I would stay locked up in the office with my pet dog. People stopped coming on the show and I went off the radar.”

The rapid downslide of The Kapil Sharma Show left him defeated and further fed in to his anxiety, so much so that he even considered suicide. He recollected, “One of my close friends asked me to shift to his seaside apartment. He thought a change of scene would be good for me. As I saw the wide expanse of sea from his balcony, I felt like jumping into it. I was depressed; it felt like the world was gunning for me.”

To the public that adored him, the turning point came in March this year when rumours circulated over Sharma hurling a shoe at co-star Sunil Grover on a flight. “If only Sunil had asked me why I was behaving like this. We were doing the show for five years. He could have confronted me, ‘What’s wrong? I have not seen this side of you.’ I still love him. The people you love the most, end up hurting you or you end up upsetting them.”

He further shed light on the incident stating, “Since it was a long-haul flight from Mumbai, I had removed my shoes and was wearing socks to be more comfortable. So, where was the question of throwing a shoe at Sunil? What upsets me is none of them revealed the truth.”

Sharma accepted that he had had a difference of opinion with Chandan Prabhakar during the Australia tour — one that they resolved there itself. But, the media chose to give a different spin to the story. “On our arrival, news about my misbehaviour went viral and everything went out of control.”

Sharma, who had even checked into a holistic healthcare centre in Bengaluru, said his recovery will be a slow but steady process. “My mother had no clue about what was happening. I told her that my show was not being shot due to a strike. There was a time when the who’s who of Bollywood came on my show. I have seen the highs. I have fallen, but I will rise again.”

Talking from Bangalore, comedian-actor Kapil Sharma confirms that he’s currently in damage control mode as he has checked into a holistic healthcare centre in a bid to get his act together
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 7, 2017)

Last week, Sony Entertainment Television released a statement confirming that the channel and you have “mutually agreed to take a short break”. Was the decision taken because you are battling alcoholism and needed to check into rehab?
I am currently in Bangalore undergoing Ayurvedic treatment. I needed to repair my body to make a great and healthy comeback. I am hoping to be back in Mumbai by September-end. Most of what has been written about me lately is rubbish. I have been working for the last 10 years without a break and I needed medical help to combat anxiety, blood pressure and sugar problems and correct an unbalanced diet. I thought it was best to take a break before another problem that I couldn’t control cropped up. After ignoring my health all these years, I am focussing on it now.

Did the channel want The Kapil Sharma Show off air because the TRPs had fallen from around 4.3 to 1.9 in the last year? The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) reported that views dwindled from 7 million to around 3.9 million in the last four months.
I have a wonderful relationship with the Sony team. Another channel would have put insane pressure on me to carry on, but the Sony bosses never issued any threats. I could not afford to cancel another episode so I called them and requested that I wanted to take a break. They readily agreed. They have been really supportive. I will complete my medical course and start promoting my film before returning to the show. I have no plans of leaving Sony.

Rumours were rife that you were not showing up for shoots because you were busy wrapping up your feature film, Firangi. Rajiv Dhingra, your childhood buddy, has directed the film and is also the creative director of your show. But he’s reportedly had his differences with the cast and crew.
Firangi wrapped up in March with just one promotional video and song left to be shot in Mumbai. The cancellation of the shoots had nothing to do with Rajiv. He came to my aid when I needed a creative director. People have been dragging his name into controversies for no reason and I’m embarrassed. I’m spending my own hard-earned money to produce a film I’m acting in and which I want to promote well. I’m pumping in my fee from hosting the TV show and events into the film. Am I a fool to jeopardise my biggest source of income by making Shah Rukh Khan wait? Those who’re calling me arrogant and egoistic don’t know how nice Shah Rukh has been to me, how much love and respect I have for him. I don’t wish to make anybody wait, be it a superstar or not. I’m genuinely unwell and I don’t have the energy to keep sending out denials.

You’ve gone from being Indian television’s greatest and richest comedian to someone no one wishes to associate with. What led to the professional and personal downfall?
Most people have a publicist to manage not just their personal life, but also the way they handle the media and their work on set. It is all agenda-driven. I still don’t understand how all this works. If I am upset, I say it straight, I don’t indulge in mind games.

You allegedly hurled a shoe at fellow comedian Sunil Grover on a flight in a drunken state. Was the fallout the primary reason for your downfall?
That was a one-off incident. What happened between Sunil and me was not a fight, it was an accident. I was shooting with him seven days a week when that accident happened. I admit I was completely wrong. I was grappling with 50 things and could not handle things well. My best wishes are always with Sunil.

You were in a long-term relationship with Preeti Simoes, the former creative head of Comedy Nights with Kapil, The Kapil Sharma Show and your banner, K9 Productions. Buzz is, it was not an amicable break-up and the subsequent professional fall-out affected you badly. Preeti and her sister Neeti Simoes have now launched the show, The Drama Company…
I have never asked anybody to leave me, my team or my show. There are no hard feelings from my end. When Sunil left the show, I advised him to stay on, saying we are stronger together. But he wanted his own show and I understood that because even I have fought for my own show. When he came back, I welcomed him because I have always believed we must work with the best to learn more and work better. If anyone else wants to come back, I will be more than happy to welcome them back. Long before she (Preeti) joined me, I was doing Comedy Circus and Laughter Challenge. I worked really hard. It didn’t stop with her coming into my life or when she walked out. I would like to wish her all the best with her own show now. Personal equations have never been detrimental to my career, it’s my health that has affected me adversely. If you fall, it’s your fault and nobody else’s.

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; September 2, 2017)