Kapil Sharma is a star in his own right. However, 2017 was quite tough for the stand-up comedian-turned-actor. The multi-talented artist faced a lot of flak, and a lot of ups and downs after his tiff with one of his most popular cast members, Sunil Grover. His popularity took a beating when his show's ratings hit an all-time low leading to increased stress levels and anxiety pangs, and even reports of shoot cancellations with top Bollywood stars. Kapil is currently gearing up for his second Bollywood film Firangi, scheduled for release tomorrow. In a candid conversation with THE WEEK, Kapil talks about his career as a comedian, Bollywood dreams, controversies and more. Excerpts:
You have always said that you have a big crush on Deepika Padukone. So, isn’t it a coincidence that your film Firangi has taken Padmavati’s release date?
Who else would have taken Deepika’s slot? We are family (laughs out loud). But, no, I am not happy because we are coming in Padmavati’s place. We are feeling bad for them. They put in so much efforts; it is such a huge film...my best wishes to them.
Kapil Sharma with students at Karnavati University in Ahmedabad | via Instagram
What are your views on the Padmavati controversy?
Actually, I can’t understand the whole matter. It is so very confusing. Some are saying there is nothing objectionable and others are opposing them. When CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) watches the film, then we would know. So trying to be wise, as if I know all (laughs)...I don’t want to hold any views of mine.
It’s often seen in Hindi cinema that actors who are known for their comical roles, end up producing films for themselves. For instance Kishore Kumar, Mehmood, Asrani...Why is it that other production houses/producers/directors don’t want to cast them?
No, that is not true. I am not someone who would give interviews on how I rejected movies. I must have heard scripts of at least 40 films after my debut film with Abbas Mustan, Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon (2015). But people tend to offer the same thing again and again. I had three wives in the first one, then few other offers that came, had two wives. I am busy doing television shows, so it is not that I am desperate for films. The director of Kamal Haasan-starrer Pushpak had also offered me a film but I was busy launching my new show and I couldn’t do it. But Firangi was different. It has comedy and all the other emotions as well. Also, some money was lying idle which was hurting me (laughs).
Will you be distancing yourself from comedy because of your interest in films?
No. Never. I can do comedy in films as well. Firangi starts on a light note. We have lot of liberty when it comes to content in movies. We can show lot of twists and turns and mood change. I personally like making people laugh so I will never leave comedy. I will continue doing TV shows. When we were shooting in Pushkar, there were about 10,000 labourers working in that area, and when they heard that I was shooting, they gathered around us. They even came in our frame. TV has such reach. I’m confident about films as well. The marketing team of my first film said we would be winners if we get Rs 4 crore opening for my film. But the opening was Rs 10. 5 crore, which shows people’s love.
You have seen lot of ups and downs in 2017. You were accused of making huge stars wait endlessly. You would also cancel shoots at the last minute. What was the reason for all this?
These are just rumours and these are getting cleared on its own. For instance, there were reports about Salman Khan being upset with me. Then recently, it was Akshay Kumar, but we just did a show together. Rumours are getting cleared on its own. You can come on my set and you will know the facts. There was news that I made Shah Rukh Khan wait but the truth is that he was supposed to come at 7pm and I was to reach at 2pm; I have to always reach five to six hours prior to the star, so this question of making stars wait doesn’t arise. But when something becomes successful, people want to bring it down.
Yes, my shoots would get cancelled but that’s because of my health problems. I would get anxiety pangs and feel that I won’t be able to go on stage. I couldn’t make it to Akshay’s show. Later, Shah Rukh came to meet me. I am in the process of getting better healthwise. I have to give more time to myself.
Comedians Sunil Grover (L) and Kapil Sharma in Comedy Nights with Kapil
There was also this ugly, mid-air altercation with your former colleague Sunil Grover. Now that you're reviving your show, will he be joining you on your new show considering that you have often spoken about the possibility of a reunion?
That you will have to ask him. I don’t want to comment on that. I must have fought with my friend Rajeev Dhingra, who has directed Firangi, about 40 times but we are still together. If fights can end friendship then that friendship perhaps never existed, or maybe it was one-sided...only from my side.
If you get a chance to do two hero film, who would you like to work with?
I would love to do it Arshad Warsi. Then, I like Shah Rukh Khan’s timing, and working with Amitabh Bachchan is my dream.
If Firangi works, you think you will be able to bag big-banner films?
Yes. One has to prove one’s credibility at every step. But I have been approached by good directors in the past. David Dhawan had told me that he wanted to make a film with me. I was even approached for Mubarakan but I was busy with my show.
Comedy genre in India is still considered to be a bit inferior, whereas in the West they make movies out of hit shows on television...
Comedy shows have started getting respect now. We had done a Rs 100 crore contract for my show for one year, whereas earlier nobody was willing to pay even Rs 10,000 to us. Judwaa was hit then and has even worked now. New subjects are also coming in. I enjoyed watching Newton. Though the subject was serious they tackled it in a humorous way.
Is there any film of well-known comedians from the past that you would like to remake and act in?
There are so many films made by Mehmood, Kishore Kumar...But I don’t want to emulate them. They are huge talents and have done such great work. Even if I do a great job that same feel won’t show. It is better if I attempt something new.
Firangi is set in the pre-independence era; what were the challenges working on it?
It wasn’t difficult to play the part. The story is based in Punjab. Secondly, my grandfather came from Pakistan and he would tell us sad stories when we were kids. Anybody who touches the pre-independence period, we see only the dark side, so we thought of showing the lighter side. On one hand our krantikaris were killing the British and vice versa, but alongside people were living their life. We faced many terrorist attacks here in India, but life moves on.
There are many other comedy shows on the digital platform like AIB (All India Bakchod), The East India Comedy...what do you feel about their humour?
Everyone has their own audience. People like them, and hence they are popular. I can’t show that kind of humour because when you are doing it on a general entertainment channel, you have to keep the entire family in mind. But, to tell you the truth, nobody will be able to compete with me when it comes to adult shows (laughs out loud). But then, why should I do such shows when I am getting good money for doing clean comedies.
Don’t you think our audience is intolerant towards humour?
I have never faced any problem with my show except once when we had some actors playing nurses’ part and certain nurses had raised objections. People here don’t understand that everybody has their own sense of humour.
Kapil Sharma on the sets of Firangi in Chandigarh | via Instagram
Once a senior film actor and stand-up comedian Shekhar Suman said that there is too much hoopla around your show, but the outcome was hugely disappointing...
I don’t know why he said that. I always get lot of respect from whole of India. Even when I go to the US, the arena is full. Once we were in Dubai and there was Beyonce’s show after ours. Within a day all our tickets were sold out.
How did it all start? When did you realise that you had the talent of making people laugh?
When I used to do stand up comedy in my University, my teachers would complain that I wasn’t attending lectures and was giving more time to theatre. But when they saw my performance, they started appreciating and enjoying the humour. I was happy that now they won’t complain. The compliment that you get at that age is huge as compared to what I am getting today. When you become a professional and you start charging fee then people say that it was your occupation. But the compliment you get when you are doing it as a hobby, that makes a huge difference. That is more special.
Is comedy a serious business for you?
It’s quite a serious business. We make people laugh, but if the line is changed here and there, we can get into trouble. Look, what happened to Kiku Sharda. He was arrested for mimicking Gurmeet Ram Rahim. It wasn’t his intention to hurt anyone. You have to be aware that you don’t hurt anyone’s sentiments.
