Kapil Sharma’s Journey: From Struggles to Becoming the ‘Comedy King’
Early Life and Struggles
Kapil Sharma, a name synonymous with laughter and entertainment, has become one of the most beloved comedians in India. However, his journey to success was far from smooth. From financial struggles to battling depression, Kapil faced numerous challenges before cementing his place as the ‘Comedy King.’
Kapil Sharma was born into a middle-class family in Punjab. His father, Jeetendra Kumar Sharma, served as a head constable in the Punjab Police. Despite this, Kapil’s childhood was full of hardships. To support his basic needs, he started working at a young age, earning a mere ₹500 per month at a telephone booth. Later, he worked at a textile mill for ₹900 a month.
When his father was diagnosed with cancer, the family faced severe financial difficulties. Kapil even prayed for his father’s suffering to end. In 2004, his father passed away, leaving the family without a stable source of income. Kapil and his family lived in a rented house in Amritsar, struggling to make ends meet.
Rise to Stardom
After his father’s passing, Kapil was offered a constable’s job under the Compassionate Appointment system, which provides government jobs to family members of deceased employees. However, Kapil turned down the offer, believing he was meant for something bigger. Instead, his elder brother, Ashok Kumar Sharma, took the job in the Punjab Police.
Kapil’s road to success was not easy. He initially auditioned for The Great Indian Laughter Challenge-3 in Amritsar but was rejected. On a friend’s advice, he auditioned again in Delhi, where he was finally selected. He went on to win the show, earning a ₹10 lakh prize, which he used to fund his sister’s wedding.
Winning The Great Indian Laughter Challenge-3 changed Kapil’s fortunes. He went on to participate in Comedy Circus, where he gained immense popularity. Eventually, he launched his own production company, House K9, and collaborated with Colors TV to create Comedy Nights with Kapil. The show became a massive hit, making Kapil one of the most famous comedians in India.
Challenges and Comeback
Despite his success, Kapil faced mental health challenges. He aspired to make a mark in Bollywood and acted in small roles in films like Bhavnao Ko Samjho and ABCD 2. His big break came with Abbas-Mustan’s Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon, which performed well at the box office. Encouraged by this, he produced Firangi (2017) and Son of Manjeet Singh (2018), but both films flopped, leading to financial losses.
The setbacks took a toll on Kapil’s mental health, pushing him into depression. At one point, he even contemplated suicide. In an interview, he admitted feeling lonely and directionless.
As his depression worsened, Kapil started consuming alcohol excessively to cope with his emotions. This affected his work, leading to the cancellation of several shows and shoots. He even made Bollywood superstars like Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn wait for hours before canceling scheduled shoots, leading to backlash.
Shah Rukh Khan, understanding Kapil’s struggles, personally counseled him. They had a long conversation in SRK’s car, where the superstar offered him guidance and encouragement. This played a crucial role in Kapil’s recovery.
During his lowest phase, Kapil also lashed out at a journalist who published negative articles about him. The recorded conversation was made public, further damaging his reputation. Additionally, he turned down an offer from Yash Raj Films for Bank Chor, which later flopped.
Despite these setbacks, Kapil bounced back. He restructured his life and career, focusing on his health and making a comeback with The Kapil Sharma Show, which regained massive popularity.
Kapil Sharma is now set to appear in Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2, directed by Anukalp Goswami. The film is being produced by Abbas-Mustan, Ratan Jain, and Ganesh Jain. While the release date is yet to be announced, fans eagerly await Kapil’s return to the big screen.
Kapil Sharma’s journey is a testament to resilience and perseverance. From financial struggles to mental health battles, he has overcome significant hurdles to become the ‘Comedy King’ of India.
