Krushna Abhishek: Kapil Sharma and I always had a good personal equation

After doing Comedy Circus for eight years, Krushna Abhishek emerged as the face of several shows like Comedy Nights Bachao (2015-2017), Comedy Nights Live (2016) and The Drama Company (2017-2018). At one point, he was considered the alternative to Kapil Sharma. So much so that each time the latter shut down his show, it was the Bol Bachchan actor, who came to the rescue with his brand of comedy. But today, the once arch-rivals are sharing screen space and creating a laugh riot on The Kapil Sharma Show. Krushna, who plays Sapna, owner of a beauty parlour in it, talks to us about his equation with the popular stand-up comedian, working with him and changing his style of comedy. 

You and Kapil Sharma were arch-rivals at one point. So, what prompted you to be a part of his show? 

I didn’t have any personal rivalry with him. Even in my interviews, I would say that. Whatever rivalry we had was in connection with the ratings of our shows. Both of us wanted our shows to be the best and rank high on the charts. Whatever he or I may have said at that time, when my father passed away, he immediately called me. Mera personal equation Kapil ke saath kabhi kharab nahi tha. We have always been respectful of each other. When I was offered The Kapil Sharma Show, I thought Bharti (Singh) bhi hai saath mein, so it will be good. The three of us had done Comedy Circus together and this would be a reunion. I hadn’t met Kapil for a long time, but first meeting mein hi the ice was broken. 

From the first episode, the two of you have been raising laughs taking digs at each other...

Yes, the show is doing fantastic and it’s wonderful coming back with him and Bharti. Kapil works so hard. I have seen that during the rehearsals, he works on everything not just his entries, but even ours. Jaate jaate do-teen punches bhi de jaata hai. This is my genuine feedback. I don’t have to butter him up. We share a good equation. We also improvise a lot on stage, and make fun of ourselves —  khud ki taang kheench lete hain. For instance, in the first episode we played on our alleged rivalry by saying ‘Main paise ke liye aaya (on Kapil’s show), izzat toh jaati jaati rehti hai’. In a recent episode, I said, ‘Maine tere liye apna poora character badla’. The best thing about Kapil is that when I come on stage, he stands up and gives me the chair to sit. He gives so much respect and space, I didn’t know this about him. 

There is a marked difference in the way you are doing comedy on this show. Is that deliberate?

Yes, my style of comedy was very different — loud, and over-the-top. But abhi thehraav ke saath karta hoon. The credit goes to Bharat Kukreti (content director), Kapil and writer Vankush. During the rehearsals and on stage, Kapil tells me to do subdued comedy. Kisi aur ke territory mein jaake apna style change karna is extremely challenging. For me, the most important thing was acceptance from the audience and I am happy they are appreciating it. 

From Comedy Circus to The Kapil Sharma Show, what changes have you seen in Kapil?  

When I started out with Comedy Circus, I was an actor, not a stand-up comedian. My partner Sudeshji (Lehri) used to teach me. Kapil and I were competitors on that show, but I would learn looking at him. They are the real stand-ups. Kapil has grown a lot, when I watch him ‘live’, he is fantastic. He is so good at doing things impromptu, interacting with the audience, interviewing the celebrities, woh uski power hai. So many times Kapil and I burst out laughing on the stage, especially when we play KBC where he plays this character Rajesh Arora. He is a wonderful guy. When Rohit Shetty came on the show, he said, there is nobody better than Krushna and Kapil in comedy and that was the biggest compliment. 

Didn’t you want to have your own show at one point?

Never. I am an actor and my dream is different. I want to do a very good comedy film with Govinda and me as the lead and be a part of Bol Bachchan 2. Main stand-up comedy karne aaya hi nahin tha. I am enjoying my space.   

Which was your best episode so far?

I enjoyed the episode when Ajay Devgn had come to promote Total Dhamaal. We really did dhamaal and while going, Ajay told me he wants to cast me in his next!

What next?

I am hosting one of my favourite shows OMG! Yeh Mera India. I have just done the fifth season. Then there is a web series, a horror comedy that I am doing with Tusshar and Mallika Sherawat. Farhad (Samji), who directed me in Entertainment (2014), is helming the series and it is great fun.