Kapil Sharma recalls first-ever meeting with Amitabh Bachchan, says he shot entire episode on his feet: ‘I didn’t dare sit next to him’

Kapil Sharma recalled how nervous he was before his first interactions with superstars Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | March 21, 2023 11:05 AM IST

4 min read

kapil sharma in kaun banega crorepati with amitabh bachchan

Kapil Sharma and Amitabh Bachchan on Kaun Banega Crorepati.

Listen to this article

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Comedian and actor Kapil Sharma said that working diligently on his craft for more than a decade has instilled confidence in him. He recalled a couple of anecdotes from early in his career as a talk show host, and said that he is now far more comfortable in his skin, and on camera.

In a conversation with fellow comedian Zakir Khan, Kapil said cheekily, “Pehle koi film star aata tha main khud ghabraya rehta tha, aaj kal ulta hai (I used to be so nervous around movie stars back in the day, now it’s the other way around).” Recalling a story about Amitabh Bachchan’s first appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show, he said, “Mujhe yaad hai Bachchan saab jab pehli baar show pe aaye they, meri himmat hi nahi thi ki main kursi pe baith jaaun (I remember when Mr Bachchan came to the show for the first time, I couldn’t even muster the courage to sit next to him). Pura show khade khade… Mere dimaag mein bhi nahi aaya, nahi mujhe kisi ne bola saamne se ke tu bhi baith jaa (I did the whole show on my feet. And it didn’t even cross my mind, nor did anybody tell me to sit down, for the sake of getting a better frame).”

Also read | ‘Drugs leta hai?’: Kapil Sharma recalls what Shah Rukh Khan asked him after he cancelled shoot, says SRK counselled him in his car

Kapil said that it was an excellent episode, and after that, he welcomed all of Bollywood into his ‘house’. Zakir asked if he had any other such experiences with big-shot Bollywood stars, and Kapil recalled his first meeting with Shah Rukh Khan. He said, “Shah Rukh bhai se jab pehli baar mila tha… Woh aadmi mein na ek baat hai, woh itna bada superstar hai, unko bhi pata hai ke mere saamne nervous ho jayega koi. Woh pehli baar mil ke inta comfortable kar denge (He knows that he’s a big superstar, and that people could be nervous around him, so he makes sure to break the ice immediately).” Kapil said that the first time Shah Rukh came on his show, he invited him into his vanity van, where he introduced Kapil to Deepika Padukone by saying that he’s a fan of Kapil’s work. “Phir aadmi relax ho jaata hai (Hearing such a big star praise me felt good, it made me relaxed),” Kapil said.

Kapil revealed that Shah Rukh spent six hours on set that day. He said that it’s one thing to fall in love with the star’s on-screen persona, but once you meet him in real life, it’s impossible to not develop a soft corner for them.

In a recent interview, Kapil had revealed that Shah Rukh spoke to him privately for an hour when he sensed that something was wrong, after Kapil cancelled the shoot with him at the last moment. Kapil was battling alcoholism and depression at the time, he would later reveal, and he said in the interview that Shah Rukh asked if he was on drugs, and counselled him during their conversation.

Kapil can currently be seen in the drama film Zwigato, directed by Nandita Das. Given a limited release in around 400 theatres, Zwigato has made Rs 2 crore.

From the homepage