Kapil Sharma: My biggest desire is to have Narendra Modi Sir as a guest on Comedy Nights with Kapil

The security personnel outside India’s most famous stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma’s vanity van scrutinise passers-by with an eagle eye. Their sense of purpose seems to convey that they are guarding a prized possession. But on second thoughts, Kapil is precious because he gives a solemn society something to laugh about, week on week. Superstars and celebrities use his show as a platform for a bit of the spotlight.As he readies himself for his film debut in Abbas-Mustan’s Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon, releasing on September 25, Kapil talks of a new set of aspirations and dreams. Tune in for a hilarious Q & A session:
Is it true that Christy Clark, the current Premier of British Columbia and you were colour-coordinated when she came to watch a recent show of yours in Toronto?
Yes, that is true. I had met Christy Clark in June when Mika Singh and I went to Canada on International Yoga Day. Then last month, she came to see me perform in Toronto when I took Comedy Nights With Kapil there. She was actually out with her children on vacation. But when she learnt that I was going to be performing there, she arrived. In fact, she was dressed in a blue Indian salwar suit. And I was wearing blue myself. I teased her saying that she had deliberately chosen the colour to match my clothes. And she replied saying, ‘Yes Kapil, I specially wore this colour for you.’ She is a sport and it was sweet of her to humour me. We took a selfie together and she even did a dance with Gutthi (Sunil Grover). Jason Kenney, Canada’s Minister of National Defence and Minister for Multiculturalism, also came to my show in Toronto.
There is talk that you have plans to call the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on your show?
Yes, I want to invite our Prime Minister on my show. He had nominated me for his Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. I’m a fan of Modi Sir. My biggest desire is to have him on my show. In Toronto, Jason Kenney came to my show and even came up on stage. I’m not aware of things like protocol. But I’m wondering if there were no protocol issues in that country, would there be any out here. Someone was saying that since Modi Sir is the PM, he would not be able to come. I’m often asked why I do not invite politicians on my show. My answer is simple — I would love them to come but honestly, I do not know how to approach them. I had approached Modi Sir before the elections last year. However, his campaigning had started and I was told that during campaigning, he cannot come on GECs. Now he is the PM. I hope he sets aside protocol and makes an exception to come on my show. When he goes to other news shows, they talk strategy and serious issues. If ever Modi Sir comes to my show, I would like him to talk about his personal struggle. His story is so inspiring.

Your debut film, that is releasing on September 25, is called Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon (KKPK)? You have five heroines in the film; tell us who is the lucky one you fall for?
Frankly, I’m in love with just one girl in the film. However, she is out studying in another city. What I go through with various girls in the course of a year, is what this film is all about. The writer of the film (Anukalp Goswami) is someone who is a part of Comedy Nights With Kapil. His writing can really tickle the funny bone. I can guarantee you that KKPK will make people laugh. I’m very critical when it comes to movies. And I can tell you that my first film is good because I have seen the rushes.
Have you ever been in a spot as far as girls are concerned?
Yes, in college I was always wondering which girl to get close to. There were such beautiful girls around; I was always wondering which one to go out with.
One had read that when you went to Abbas-Mustan’s office to sign the film, the street leading up to their office was jam-packed with people wanting a peek at you?
Now that you remind me, yes, a crowd had gathered there. There were some girls who had ordered pani puri on their terrace and they were causing a lot of commotion. The nice thing in this was that Abbas-Mustan, who saw the crowd gathered outside, were perhaps thinking to themselves that they had made the right decision by casting me as a hero.
So you are saying crowds will also come to your movie, first day, first show?
I’m hoping they will. When I was in the US and Canada recently for Comedy Nights With Kapil, everyone in the crowd knew the name of my first film, they also knew when it was releasing and other details. That is gratifying. It means people are following all the work that I’m doing. A bunch of people actually turned up wearing t-shirts with my face embossed on it. This is flattering and humbling at the same time. There was a crowd of 15,000 present in the various arenas that we performed at. And we continue to get enquiries for our show from other American cities that we couldn’t visit in this round.
So are you planning a trip abroad again?
When our TV show was bi-weekly, we had a very tight shooting schedule. I had barely eased out from that and my film Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon rolled. Again, I was back to travelling and doing extensive shoots. We are scheduled to go to London and Birmingham after the release of KKPK.
Rumours say that you are discontinuing Comedy Nights...
I will never do that. This is the show that actually brought me where I am. How can I discontinue it? I do not think of Comedy Nights With Kapil as work. I think of it as pleasure. I enjoy it so much. You were present at the rehearsals earlier and you must have seen what a blast we have. I must tell you that I had gone to the US six years ago. There was no Comedy Nights... then. An elderly lady, whose son was a dentist in Seattle, had come to see me perform. She had brought a huge quantity of sarson da saag with white butter with her. She was originally from Hoshiarpur and she told me that the reason she came to see me was because I reminded her of her native place. She explained that she had brought the saag along because she felt that perhaps I was missing home food in a foreign land. She knew that I would be getting other material comforts because of my name. But her point in bringing that home-cooked meal along was that it would give me a different kind of joy. The point I am making here is that, what I have really earned today is not just name, fame and money. I have got the true love of so many people. I have the blessings of elders across the world. This is my real wealth.
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The reason how the rumour of you going missing as a television host started because Arshad Warsi and Sajid Khan stood in for you.
I had a slipped disc in February. I had a back problem earlier too. I had never bothered with it. Dr Ali Irani was treating me. He thought it was my earlier back pain that was resurfacing. We realised that it was a slipped disc issue only after I did an MRI. I was asked to rest for 21 days. So, I had to take a break from my show.

That’s the time when Arshad and Sajid hosted an episode each?
Yes, I was laid up and had no choice but to rest it out.
How is your back now?
When I was in the US, I took an injection in the spine that rid me of the pain. However, the moment the pain went away, I got careless. As it is, my job requires me to jump around quite a bit. I even shot a couple of songs for my movie recently. However, the doctors tell me that my back needs to be stronger. I have been recommended a tough exercise routine.
READ: Kapil Sharma flirts on Comedy Nights With Kapil
Are you open to doing more movies?
I do not wish to do movies just for the sake of it. By the grace of God, my television show is doing well and it is paying for my everyday needs. So I can pick and choose my movies.
What kind of movies do you think you are suited for?
A couple of days ago, someone made me hear the script of a murder mystery. I told him that I was not suited for this. He turned around and said, ‘But currently you are on top of your game.’ I agree with him. However, I have my limitations. I cannot turn around and punch someone on screen. If I do that, I myself will fall down laughing. That is not my personality. So, I have to be careful with my choices. Having said that, I have certain script ideas. I’m a writer myself, so I keep pondering over the kind of movies I should attempt.
Kapil, the biggest of stars have said that they enjoy coming on your comedy show. Are you flattered?
It is their generosity and grace that they say such things.
What are the kinds of movies you see?
I wait for the reviews to see films. I’m so engrossed with my work. I shoot or write till late at night. The next morning (though not very early), I’m back to work. So, my movie viewing is dictated by what I hear about a film and the reviews that come. Recently, I saw Bajrangi Bhaijaan and then I saw Drishyam. I enjoyed both films. I am a fan of Amitabh Bachchan. I love Dharmendra. My father was a huge fan of his. Now, everyone comes on our show to promote their films. But when my show was new, Dharamji had come on it. His Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 had released 25 days or so before. He didn’t need to come on my show and yet he took time out for me. While on my relationship with Dharam paaji, I must tell you that I had earlier travelled with him to Canada for a show. I wasn’t the one telling him jokes on our plane ride. He was the one telling me jokes. I genuinely love that man. In Canada, we had gone for a Punjabi film awards show. Dharamji was actually leaving the auditorium after a short stay because he was not feeling too well. However, when I came on stage, he stayed back to watch me and then sat for the next two hours. I was so happy. I took his blessings. I love him.
So you are a sentimental guy...
Yes, I do not forget things from my struggler days. I’m sentimental about people who have stood by me through that phase.
Anyone who inspires you?
Yes, I’m inspired by Shah Rukh, Irrfan and Nawazuddin. When I read about their struggles, I feel my own struggle is nothing. It is inspiring to see the heights Irrfan has achieved. SRK also had humble beginnings. I was talking to him once, and he told me that he had even done a tiny role in a Ramlila once. When I hear their stories, I feel so charged.
Like SRK, one hears you are an insomniac too?
This is a condition that has happened after I came to Mumbai and did Laughter Challenge. It is true that I cannot sleep till late at night. My whole team is like that. All of us burn the midnight oil. However, when I was back home in Amritsar I used to go to bed by 9 pm.
Is your mother excited about your film debut?
Oh yes. Earlier mummy didn’t have any friends in Mumbai. Now she has managed to make some. She goes shopping with them. And wherever she goes, she gets recognised because she is seen on my show every week. Now mummy has her own fan following, so she spends less time fussing or thinking about me (laughs). People want to take selfies with her.
Have you sung in your film?
Yes, my director Abbas bhai asked me to. I didn’t want to ruin my film, so I was hesitant. However, I found a song that was suited to me. I have sung just one stanza. It’s a peppy number but I usually prefer Sufi numbers. Dr Zeus told me to sing. I just remembered I have sung one more song in the film. It comes after a drunken scene that I have done.
Is there a chance that you will do a film with Deepika Padukone?
That’s not happening yet. She is a very big heroine. But you never know. Who knew I would become an actor one day? I had just come to Mumbai to try my luck on Laughter Challenge. Who would have foreseen then that a stand-up comedian would reach here? God paved the path for my future and here I am. I did Comedy Circus and then I made my own show. And this show has been such a success that Abbas-Mustan called me to do their film.
What is the secret of the success of your show?
On a comedy show, it is very easy to do below the belt stuff. But we have stayed away from it. The secret of my show is that a father and a daughter can watch my show together and not be embarrassed. I have earned the trust of people watching my show that they will never be embarrassed watching it with their entire family. The humour on our show may be in lesser degree, but we have not let vulgarity come into it.
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WATCH: Bam Bam - Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon | Kapil Sharma - Elli Avram | Dr. Zeus - Kaur B