Comedy Nights with Kapil has been bombarded with problems but its performers are unfrazzled. The new set is under construction and the shooting is all set to take place at lonavala, but Upasana Singh tells Sangeeta Yadav that the entire incident reeks of conspiracy
On the set catching fire
I was shattered. It was unbelievable. Even our fans have been worried. They wanted to know if we were all fine and whether the show will go on after this tragedy. Although the official version is that the fire happened due to short circuit, I feel differently. We were the most popular show on TV and had created a lot of rivals. There is cut throat competition in this industry and people can go to any lengths. There were absurd rumours that the performers were not being paid that was doing the rounds. In reality the producers haven’t had much of a loss as everything is insured.
On Kapil’s service tax issue
That’s a very personal question and Kapil will be the best man to answer this. I have a strong hunch that someone is trying to malign the show and all of us in the bargain. But we are not bothered. If somebody has conspired against us, he will soon realise his mistake and mend his ways. The show has only got more publicity.
Shooting woes, if any
We will be shooting at the Bigg Boss sets. Comedy Nights With Kapil was scheduled to be aired only once a week instead of twice because of 24. So we have to shoot only four episodes before moving into our new set. Each episode takes two days to complete.
The only problem is that travel time will increase. Since the set of Bigg Boss is in lolavana, it would take us three-and-a-half-hours to reach there. But the result is extremely satisfying. Kapil is the number one stand-up comedian today and I have full faith in him that he will not get bogged down by all the pressure.
Kapil is your best buddy...
The best part about Kapil is that he is a very down-to-earth person. He is not arrogant at all. He is very easy to read. I love working with him.
On Navjot Singh Sidhu
Sidhuji is a very wise man and speaks very well. He never needs a script. He can speak on any thing.
On the script
Although we have some standard lines, it happens many times that one has to improvise, especially when someone responds with a different answer. We have to make a comeback immediately in a comic way. Kapil does this brilliantly.
The most most embarrassing moment
Not embarrassing, but it happened once that somebody said that “chalo ab Upasana ki bezzati karni hai”. What they wanted to say was that it is time to insult Pinky bua but by mistake they took my name. I didn’t like that at all and told Kapil about it. He made the person who had said this apologise later.
On your most struggling phase
Fortunately, I never had to live it. I find myself blessed. When I came to Mumbai, within a week I got my first movie, a Rajasthani film. I have been working since I turned 18. Not because I need the money. I belong to a business class family. For me acting is a hobby and I am glad that I am getting roles even now.
On a mistake you may have committed
I am a human and we make mistakes and learn from them. But there is one that I want to correct. I was offered the lead in Maine Pyar Kiya (a role that Bhagyashree did) opposite Salman Khan. But I made a silly excuse and turned it down. I regret that and wish I could go back in time and make the right choice.