Kiku Sharda, a beloved figure in Indian comedy, has made his return to Netflix with The Great Indian Kapil Show, where he excels at bringing joy to audiences. The show has been a hit for the past six weeks, consistently ranking in Netflix's Top 10, largely due to Kiku's hilarious portrayals.

Exploring New Characters

Kiku expresses that the streaming platform has opened doors for creative experimentation. "We've taken on a variety of roles, from Donald Trump to Kim Jong-un. This season, we’ve introduced characters like Aladdin and Jasmine, along with a new comedic duo named Sona-Mona. We’re pushing our boundaries with fresh concepts, which is both challenging and enjoyable," he shares.

In one memorable episode, Kiku impersonated Tiger Shroff. "It’s quite a challenge to portray someone like Tiger with my physique," he chuckles, "but the audience seems to love it, and that’s what truly counts."

Uncontrollable Laughter On Set

Kiku and his fellow comedian Krushna Abhishek often find it hard to contain their laughter during performances. "There are moments when we just can’t stop laughing, especially when someone improvises unexpectedly. We try to maintain our composure, but it often leads to fits of giggles," he admits.

Sometimes, host Kapil Sharma has to remind them to refocus. "Once, I was supposed to speak in a Bengali accent, but in my enthusiasm, I accidentally switched to a Nepali accent! We don’t take ourselves too seriously; the goal is to enjoy the process," Kiku adds.

Costume Challenges and Fan Appreciation

Kiku's experiences with costumes for comedic roles have not always been easy. "The strangest was when I portrayed a genie, with my entire body and face painted green. It was a lot of work, but the character turned out to be quite charming," he recalls. He also mentions, "Last season, I dressed as Gangubai in a white sari. My wife remarked, ‘You look so pretty!’ and even fans complimented my appearance," he laughs.

Respectful Cross-Dressing

While portraying female characters can sometimes lead to awkward questions, Kiku reports that the feedback has generally been positive. "People seldom ask, ‘Why are you doing this?’ In fact, teachers from my children’s school often express interest in visiting our sets to witness the filming process," he notes.

Kiku states, "Since we began portraying female roles, the love we’ve received has been overwhelming. Only a few have questioned, ‘How can you wear women’s clothing? Isn’t it strange?’ But such comments are rare. Whether it’s me, Sunil Grover, or others, we’ve always approached cross-dressing with dignity and the right spirit, which might explain the lack of harsh criticism."

The Real Kiku

Away from the spotlight, Kiku is not the boisterous character audiences see on screen. "At home, I’m quite reserved. Even in social situations, I don’t easily open up. Some may perceive me as aloof, but that’s not the case; I’m just not very talkative," he explains. Kiku, who holds an MBA in marketing, adds, "My friends often tease me about my degree, saying I wasted a seat if I wanted to act. However, I believe that no education is wasted; it enriches your perspective."

A Family-Oriented Individual

Coming from a business-oriented family, Kiku reflects, "If I hadn’t pursued acting, I would likely be involved in our family business. I lost my father two years ago; he was very active in business, but my brothers and I chose different paths—one in corporate, another abroad, and I became an actor."

Through all the laughter, costumes, and comedic roles, Kiku Sharda remains a grounded individual. He is not just a comedian on screen but a person who cherishes his work, family, and the simple pleasure of making others smile.