Be ready to laugh your way to bed a la Kapil style. With Colors’ latest offering that promises to be different and entertaining, viewers can expect some light action at prime time. But will this half-drama, half-live show workIJ The channel admits it is a risky move but they would like to go with their instinct and, of course, with Kapil Sharma's growing popularity, he is a perfect trump card for experimentation. Deebashree Mohanty tells you why Comedy Nights With Kapil is the perfect fodder for eyeballs
There is an over-the-top Punjabi bahu, a hardly working husband, a flirtatious daadi and some other crazy supporting cast — ingredients for a perfect comedy. Add the names Kapil Sharma, Sumona Chakravarti, Ali Asgar and Sunil Grover and here’s your heady cocktail of tamasha pegged on fun.
Well, that’s the plan. “We are here to make people laugh till their sides ache. That’s the ultimate certificate for a good actor. We hope we can live up to the hype. Comedy Nights with Kapil is a refreshing concept and I’m so glad that I have fallen into Kapil’s lap this time too,” Sumona, who plays Kapil’s better half in the show, tells you.
Kapil and Sumona have been ruling the comedy scene in Comedy Circus on Sony and the duo hopes this time too their jodi is appreciated. But hasn’t she had too much of Kapil alreadyIJ
“There can never be too much of Kapil. He is such a darling. Fun loving yet very serious when it comes to work. He is talent ka khazana. I don’t know why he took so long to take the limelight. What makes him a brilliant co-star is the fact that he doesn’t like to hog undue footage,” Sumona says. She already has too much on her plate but is undettered.
“I can work 24 hours non-stop. When it comes to comedy, I can work for days at length without complaining,” she says.The show is poised to break all comedy records and the producers are hoping to cash in on the popularity of the show’s protagonist.
“Kapil is a live wire and a spontaneous performer. The idea of interacting with a live audience was born because of him. He exudes energy and has been steadily climbing the popularity charts. We’re lucky to have him on board. The deal we have with him is great,” Prashant Bhatt, fiction head of Colors, says. He adds that they had been toying with this idea for a year but had to wait for Kapil’s dates.“At present, he is TV’s most wanted man and channels are willing to bend rules to fit in his schedule,” Bhatt adds.
There is speculation that with this show, Sharma has outdone even Bollywood hosts on the small screen. But the man isn’t too uppity about all this song and dance around his uncanny ability to make people laugh. This is one reason Ali Asgar regards Kapil his best friend on TV. “He has such a great persona. I’m humbled to be working with him. Kapil is the serious types who hangs out only with select friends,” Asgar says.
The show also boasts of other veterans in the TV circuit. Sunil Grover, known for roles in Zila Ghaziabad, also has an important part to play. “Comedy runs in my veins and what better platform could I’ve asked forIJ This is one of the most challenging roles that I’ve played till date and I’m in heavenly company. I’m looking forward to working with Kapil,” Grover says. The stars have already shot for seven episodes and each one was an experience in itself.
The format of the show allows audience interjections and that differentiates it from regular stand-up comedy shows. “live audience in a sitcom is nothing new. Many English GECs have special shows where there is live audience. Although people aren’t allowed to pass comments, the applause is for real. But Comedy Nights... isn’t on the same lines. My instinct says yeh show daudega,” TV critic Arjuna Rohtyagi says.