‘Kapil and I are like SRK and Salman of TV’
Krushna Abhishek talks about how he and Kapil are often pitted against each other
Krushna Abhishek is gearing up to present “a different kind of entertainment” for his audience. His new show, The Drama Company, will feature skits, plays and even spoofs of films. “I am nervous and anxious about the concept, as it isn’t what people expect from me,” says the actor. The show will air on the same channel as Krushna’s rival actorcomedian Kapil Sharma’s comedy show. It was rumoured that Krushna’s show would replace The Kapil Sharma Show, but the reports turned out to be false. Krushna says he made a conscious decision to take up this show. He says, “After a certain point, you are bored and so is the audience. I was tired of doing the same thing for years. I wanted to do something new and different, and this new show will be unlike my earlier show, Comedy Nights Bachao, and even Kapil’s show. It will have more situational comedy rather than the one-liners I used to do. People will see a new side of me, as I will play a variety of roles, which will be a departure from the typical entry and dance performance that I used to do.”
The show will star actors Ali Asgar and Sugandha Mishra, and will also have Preeti Simoes, the ex-creative director of Kapil’s show. Ask him about his competition with Kapil, and Krushna says, “People have always pitted us against each other. Our popularity and careers are linked in some way. Kapil and I are like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan of TV. But unlike these superstars, we are not friends. We don’t talk to each other, but when we meet at events, we are respectful towards each other. One should appreciate talent, and we are both very talented. I am waiting for the day when we both get an opportunity to work together. There is no competition with Kapil, but now that Ali and others are in my show, people will link it to Kapil again, saying they left him to join me. But this is just a coincidence.”
I was tired of doing the same thing for years. I wanted to do something new and different, and this new show will be unlike my earlier show, Comedy Nights Bachao. KRUSHNA ABHISHEK, ACTOR-COMEDIAN
While Krushna denies any rivalry with Kapil on a personal level, he is aware that people will compare them and their shows. “There will be a race for ratings. Our shows will air back-to-back. Both of us will try to give our best to our shows, and we will give tough competition to Kapil. We are bit scared, but are working hard to deliver quality product.”
Coincidentally, Krushna’s Comedy Nights Bachao had also aired on the same channel as Kapil’s earlier show, Comedy Nights With Kapil did. Ask him if he is following Kapil to different channels, and Krushna says, “No. I think every channel wants us, and it is pure coincidence that we land up on the same channel together. Channels want the best talent.”
Krushna says it’s not yet clear if actor-comedian Sunil Grover will join his show. “Nothing is confirmed yet. Everyone who is on board is due to Preeti’s [Simoes; creative director] relationship with them. I haven’t spoken to Sunil, but would love to work with him.”