The desi boy is growing up

Jasmine Singh

To err is human, and to apologise for the mistake, well, that is Kapil Sharma! More than an hour late from the stipulated time, the stand-up comedian-actor, after a heartfelt apology, got down to doing what he is best known for—comedy. And once he was in it, everything was forgotten and forgiven! 

But some past events leave residues behind, and often arise in the form of uncomfortable questions. While promoting Firangi in Chandigarh, the actor was lucky not to have direct questions regarding his recent fallout with Sunil Grover, his rehabilitation, his tantrums, hit him right in the face. He was served sugar-coated questions, given that he was hospitalised for stress! 

So, has this been a learning experience? Kapil smilingly takes the mic to answer, “Yes it was. I knew nothing about this industry. I didn’t know artistes (read celebrity) should have teams, a team to get them dressed, a team to get them undressed, a team to bathe them... and more. I didn’t have any. I was doing everything in my typical Amritsari desi style. But yes, we learn gradually, which I am. Though I doubt if there will be any change in my desi heart,” he says. This means Kapil Sharma can handle rumours, controversies, and this time he wouldn’t stay quiet. “As a kid too, I wouldn’t open up much. Here I have seen a negative headline out of the entire episode is what most are looking for, which decides the magnitude of the crime. Agar crime hi prove karna to keh do iske ghar main bomb mila hai bus baat khatam.”

The actor leaves everyone in splits, most wondering if he is the same infamously famous Kapil, who was hospitalised a few months ago. “How was I supposed to know that after a film, one is supposed to take a break, go for vacations, post pictures from exotic locales. I kept working like a gadha, and then I landed in the hospital.”

Kapil is holding no bars, he is ready to face one and all, and also ready to show everyone his hard work- Firangi. 

“The entire team has put in so much hard work in the film. Almost after 10 years, we shot in Ropar and I saw fog after a long time. Firangi has comedy, emotions and drama, something the audiences will like.”

And are Kapil’s mother, sister and bhabhi playing small parts in it? He laughs, “Mummy shooting dekhan aaye si, main keha pao costume tey aajo film ch. It was a marriage song and so I asked my mother, sister and bhahi to join. Mere choti massi naraz hogi because I didn’t invite her,” he laughs aloud spreading it around. And for those of you who want to know when would Kapil be making a Punjabi film, here is what he says, “I have put my entire money in Firangi, let me recover some money and then I will think of making a Punjabi film. It is any day better to be an actor,” adds Kapil who hasn’t sung any song in his movie. “This is for your reference, I don’t sing in my own movies, I don’t wish to spoil my own film, I spoil other’s film,” the laughter reduces to a broad smile. 

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Traditional beauty

• Firangi’s music has been done by Jatinder Shah. “He was the best person to do it, I couldn’t see anyone making better music than him,” says Kapil.
• The film also stars Punjabi actress Monica Gill, who has had a great experience working with Kapil. “I auditioned twice for my role, and finally got to play the part,” shares Monica dressed in traditional salwar kameez.