And Kapil is a disappointed man.
Sighing deeply Kapil says, `I did watch Sunil on the new show.All I can say is, he should have never left our show. Sunil was part of a very collaborative and creative team.We were all part of the success of our show. I am saying this with not a shred of excessive humility, but the show belongs to the entire talented team. Asgar Ali who plays my Daadi, Upasana Singh who plays my Bua, Kiku Sharad who plays Palak and Sumona Chakravarty who plays my wife and of course Sidhu Paaji...what would the show be without them? Sunil was an integral part of the team.`
So what went wrong?
Kapil sighs. `I don't know. Sunil has been around trying find his bearings in the entertainment industry.He's my senior. I've the highest regard for his talents.And I am not the kind to feel threatened or competitive about anyone. In fact I go out of my way to ensure every member of my team has a chance to take centre stage, so I can relax. Sunil must have been provoked into leaving by people around him.`
Kapil is saddened by the show that has highjacked Sunil Grover.
Says Kapil, `Jo baat Gutthi mein thi hamare show mein woh baat mujhe Chukti mein nahin dikhi(I don't find Grover's Chutki act to be comparable with his Gutthi on my show). Sunil seems lost on the show.As he is my friend and a very important team member I can only hope to see him happy and comfortable in whatever he is doing.`
In all fairness Kapil feels Sunil has every right to do his own show. `But is that(Mad In India) his show? I couldn't see much of Sunil or Gutthi on it.I will repeat. Sunil should never have left Comedy Nights. The show is as much his as mine, or anyone else's .Look at Upasana Singh who plays my Bua. For years this very talented performer has struggled to be noticed. Now when she steps out she is recognized everywhere. Mujhe badaa achcha lahta hai. Maine bhi bahut struggle kiya hai.And if today we're all being praised then Sunil is also part of the success of Comedy Nights With Kapil.`
Efforts were made to upstage Sunil Grover's show's inaugural episode with a much-publicized Bua's wedding on Comedy Nights With Kapil.
But Kapil protests, `Where was the competition with Sunil's show? We are slotted at different times. Lekin haan, bua ke shaadi wali episode mein humne bahot masti ki. Badaa mazaa aaya. Farhan and Vidya Balan came on the show. Vidya was on our show earlier. But Farhan came for the first time. He is such a cool guy . I had a great time shooting with him. As for Vidya , I've the greatest respect for her as an actress and a human being.She has made her own space in the heroines' hierarchy.I salute her talent and strength.`