Our Bureau
Mumbai
Veteran actor Dharmendra and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan played a crucial role in helping Comedy Nights With Kapil gain traction during its initial days, according to producer Preeti Simoes. Speaking in a recent interview, Simoes revealed that the now-iconic comedy show was once expected by many industry insiders to fail within a few episodes.
The show, launched in 2013 by comedian Kapil Sharma after his successful stint on competitive comedy programmes, struggled to convince television executives and industry observers of its potential. Simoes said channel executives doubted whether major celebrities would agree to appear on the programme and predicted a short run.
According to Simoes, the turning point came when Dharmendra agreed to become the show’s first guest. She recalled that the team personally met the veteran actor and pitched the concept to him, receiving an enthusiastic response. His appearance gave the fledgling programme credibility and visibility.
The momentum grew further when Shah Rukh Khan appeared on the fourth episode to promote Chennai Express. Simoes said the team realised the show’s growing popularity when Khan later expressed interest in celebrating the film’s success on the programme. She described that moment as proof that the show had evolved from an underdog project into a major television platform.
Despite its eventual success, Comedy Nights With Kapil faced several setbacks, including a devastating fire that destroyed its set and ongoing creative challenges. The production team temporarily shifted shoots to alternative locations but managed to keep the show on air without interruption.
The comedy series went on to become one of Indian television’s most influential entertainment programmes, cementing Kapil Sharma’s position as one of the country’s leading comedians.
