‘Depression, No Work Led to Sunil Grover’s Hospitalisation,’ Reveals Upasana Singh

Sunil Grover may be one of Indian television’s most beloved comedians today, but his journey on The Kapil Sharma Show began with unexpected hurdles.

Despite becoming a household name with iconic characters like Gutthi, Dr Mashoor Gulati, and Rinku Bhabhi, Sunil was nearly removed from the show when he first joined.

In an interview with Lallantop Cinema, actor Upasana Singh revealed that the show’s creative team initially doubted Sunil’s abilities. “When he came in, he spoke slowly. The creative team felt he wouldn’t be able to match the pace and wanted to fire him. I told them he was a very good actor and that they should keep him on,” she recalled.

Upasana also shared that Sunil was dealing with a difficult phase before joining the show. “When Kapil’s show started, he wasn’t well. He told me he had been hospitalised because of depression and that he didn’t have much work. When Kapil brought him to my house, I didn’t even recognise him because he wasn’t doing much then,” she said. “But he went on to do so well, and we’ve remained close friends.”

Sunil’s eventual success cemented his place in Indian pop culture. His characters brought freshness and emotional nuance to television comedy, earning him fans across all age groups. His on-screen chemistry with Kapil Sharma—marked by sharp improvisation and seamless comic timing—became the backbone of the show’s popularity. Though their off-screen disagreements grabbed headlines at times, viewers still revisit their legendary sketches, a testament to the impact they created together.