Sunil Grover talks about his grand return to Comedy Nights With Kapil
Sunil Grover says that re-entering Comedy Nights With Kapil is like coming home and collaborating with its host Kapil Sharma was like reuniting with an old friend. The stand-up comedian, who quit the show last year and has made a fresh entry as Bittoo Sharma’s father-in-law, talks at length about his comeback and his new avatar. Excerpts from an interview:
You are back on Comedy Nights With KapilIJ
Yes, we recorded my re-entry, if we can call it that, recently. I had eaten the auspicious dahi-chini (curd and sugar) before leaving for the shooting. It was like coming home. But of course I was nervous.
How did the audience reactIJ
The audience broke into spontaneous applause. I felt very, very welcomed.
How did Kapil welcome youIJ
We have been in touch all through the period when I was away from Comedy Nights With Kapil. He welcomed me very warmly. Rather, I welcomed him, since I reached the set before he did. He came 15 minutes after me. When I saw him, I said, “Welcome to Comedy Nights With Kapil.” We sat together laughing, sharing jokes, chatting in-between shots.
This sounds like being too good to be trueIJ
In fact, it felt as though I had never left the show. The period in-between simply evaporated. I met Kapil like two friends who pick up the threads of their relationship after some time. He was very warm (gets emotional). Kapil is a sensible, decent man. We share a terrific chemistry. The minute we see one another we smile at one another.
Why do you feel your re-entry may not be called a re-entryIJ
Because I never felt I had gone away. The Comedy Nights... team has been and always will be a part of me. I may have gone away for a while. But I was never far away.
What would your re-entry be likeIJ
I’m playing Kapil’s father-in-law, to begin with. We’ll see how the audience reacts to that character and then take it up from there. If you’re hinting at a formal re-introduction, I don’t think that’s needed. How they bring me back into the show is the channel — Colors’ call.
How do you feel about the show Mad In IndiaIJ
When I did that show, I didn’t do it with the intention to be one-up on Comedy Nights With Kapil. I got the offer after I left Comedy Nights With Kapil. I keep saying, Comedy Nights... was not and is not a ‘Gutthi Show’ or a Sunil Grover show. I am part of an ensemble cast. The show existed before me. It will go on after me.
Why do you think Mad In India failedIJ
There are many reasons why a show fails. I worked hard on the show. But no point in brooding over the it. It’s time to move on.
How much time will you devote to Comedy Nights...IJ
I am now fully into the show. It will take up a lot of my time. And if Gutthi comes back, it will be even more time-consuming.