'We will not retaliate by taking digs at Krushna'

'I had some disagreements with the channel. The differences were such that we had to part but it was nothing controversial. Krushna is an artist, what issues will I have with him?'

Kapil Sharma tells us his side of the story.

Kapil Sharma has been in the news ever since his hugely popular comedy show Comedy Nights with Kapil ended abruptly in January.

Krushna Abhishek stepped into his shoes and took over the show, re-titled Comedy Nights Live.

Since then, a lot has been written about the rumoured rivalry between Kapil and Krushna.

Krushna has said his piece about their cold war, and now, it's Kapil's turn.

He clears the air in this conversation with Rediff.com contributor Rajul Hegde. 

Your exit from Comedy Nights with Kapil was made into an issue. Did it upset you?

The issue was blown out of proportion and is disheartening. There comes a time in life when you stop worrying about these things. You just ignore and move on.

Krushna Abhishek took a dig at you on Comedy Nights Live...

I want to entertain everyone. We will not retaliate by taking digs at Krushna. This is not my idea of entertainment. 

He has told us to ask you why you left the show. Were you insecure?

I had some disagreements with the channel. The differences were such that we had to part but it was nothing controversial. Krushna is an artist, what issues will I have with him?

We have done Comedy Circus together in the past, and I was the winner of six seasons. I don’t want to prove anything. I have no problem even if you say it's insecurity. 

Krushna says there is rivalry between the two of you.

There is no rivalry. It is childish of him to talk like this.

Earlier, Bollywood stars would hardly go on comedy shows to promote their films. When I was doing Comedy Nights with Kapil, we were initially scared to approach people to come on the show as we were new.

Then our show was liked by the audience, and Bollywood filmmakers went on a promotional spree and started coming on the show to promote their films. We hardly questioned them about their film. We would ask generic questions that the audiences would like to know from them. 

In a recent interview Krushna said that you are the best comedian of our country.

Achi baat hai. Sahi bhi hai (grins). 

You are back with a new show, The Kapil Sharma Show, premiering on April 23.

People have given us so much love that we feel it's our responsibility to give them something better. It's great that the entire team -- Ali Asgar, Sunil Grover, Kiku Sharda, Chandan, Sumona and Navjot Singh Sidhu are back together.

It's good that Comedy Nights with Kapil got over. Now, we have an opportunity to do something different.

We got comfortable with the characters and the sets there. Now that we have a new show, everyone is excited.

For the first time, I am seeing all the actors in their real selves. Earlier, the actors would come on set and head straight to the vanity van and come out in drag. I am happy to see them in their real looks after three years. 

The characters in your show had become very popular. How challenging would it be to build new characters?

When we came up with characters like Dadi, Palak, Guthi and others, it was not rocket science. They just happened. The artists on the show are the same. They are all very talented with years of experience behind them.

There is no challenge as such. We just want to make people laugh. To set the show initially is important. 

What’s new in your show?

My strength is stand up and gags.

My team is a master of disguise, so we sit and brainstorm everyday. You will see them in a different garb. Very few comedians have great timing like my team. We are trying to create a different family but nothing is fixed yet. 

Is there pressure to perform better than what you did on the previous show?

No. People have trust in us. Even children watch our show, as we do clean comedy. The only aim is to maintain that. 

There is buzz that Shah Rukh Khan will appear on the first episode of The Kapil Sharma Show?

Even I have read about that. I was watching the Fan song and I called him up but he did not answer.

The first episode will be shot with a live audience as an event in Delhi. We would love to have him on the show. 

If we get a good response on the show, we will do more episodes. There will be 26 episodes in a series and then, the seasons will start.

With this, one can retain the show's charm. Comedy Nights with Kapil also had 26 episodes and we got a good response. The money was also coming in, so we continued working on it.

Which celebrities would you like to invite on the show?

Arjun Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor have done the promo shoot.

My wish is to invite Modisaab (Prime Minister Narendra Modi). You know why? On Valentine's Day, US President Barack Obama made a appearance on Ellen DeGeneres' talk show.

I feel the politicians in our country should also connect with the public through shows. If we have Mr Modi on the show, we will not talk about politics or his party. I would love to know how a man from a small town has come this far and became the Prime Minister of our country. It’s an inspirational story.

How would you sum up your journey so far?

I never thought I would reach this far. It feels good to be here today. I never thought I would get into comedy. I had set out to become a singer but people used to laugh. So I thought of making people laugh.

I wanted to do something in acting but had not thought I would become a comedian. 

Are you dating Preeti Simoes, the Creative Director of your show? Is marriage on the cards?

No, I am not dating her. Shubh shubh bolo. I want to stay away from marriage for a while (smiles).