Last Updated on March 7, 2024
Kapil Sharma (born Kapil Punj) is an Indian stand-up comedian, television presenter & producer, actor, and film producer.
Sharma is best known for hosting his own television show, The Kapil Sharma Show. He has previously hosted a number of other television comedy programs, including Family Time with Kapil and Comedy Nights with Kapil.
As a comedian, Kapil Sharma undertakes his comic works across three different mediums, namely stand-up performances, television, and film. His comedy transcends numerous genres, including observational comedy, insult comedy, improvisational comedy, character comedy, satire, and body shaming.
Sharma’s subjects primarily revolve around Bollywood, Punjab, and Indian culture. However, he regularly also addresses everyday life situations, celebrities, and popular culture.
Kapil Sharma Quick Facts
Full Name: | Kapil Sharma (born Kapil Punj) |
Popular Name: | Kapil Sharma |
Nicknames: | Kappu and Tony |
Birth Date: | April 2, 1981 |
Age: | 41 years |
Parents: | Jeetendra Kumar Punj and Janak Rani |
Siblings: | Ashok Kumar Sharma and Pooja Sharma Devgan |
Birth Place: | Amritsar, Punjab, India |
Nationality: | Indian |
Ethnicity: | Punjabi |
Religion: | Hinduism |
Education: | Shri Ram Ashram Senior Secondary School, Amristar and Hindu College in Amritsar, and Apeejay College of Fine Arts – Jalandhar |
Marital Status: | Married to Ginni Chatrath (since 2018) |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Children: | Trishaan Sharma and Anayra Sharma |
Net Worth: | USD 45 million |
Source of Wealth: | Comedy, Television Presenting & Producing, Acting, Film Producing, and Other Ventures |
Height: | 5′ 9″ (1.75 m) |
Weight: | In kilograms: 80 kg; In pounds: 176 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Kapil Sharma was born on April 2, 1981, in Amritsar, Punjab, India, to Jeetendra Kumar Punj and Janak Rani. His father was a Punjab Police constable who died in 2004 of cancer, whereas his mother is a homemaker.
Sharma attended Shri Ram Ashram Senior Secondary School. He later received his college education at Amristar and Hindu College in Amritsar and Apeejay College of Fine Arts – Jalandhar.
Comedy and Television Career
Kapil Sharma began his television career in 2006 by appearing on the Punjabi language show ‘Hasde Hasande Ravo,’ which was aired on the MH One channel. However, his television breakthrough came in 2007 when he won season three of the comedy reality show, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge.
In 2008, Sharma hosted Chhote Miyan. He began hosting Laughter Knights the same year, appearing in several episodes of the show until 2009.
In 2009, Kapil Sharma became a contestant in ‘Ustaadon Ka Ustaad’ and ‘Hans Baliye’ reality programs. He subsequently participated in Sony’s Comedy Circus from 2010 – 2013, winning six seasons of the show. Sharma’s next television projects included performing at Comedy Ka Daily Soap (2010), becoming a contestant and eventually finishing as runner-up in ‘Star Ya Rockstar’ in 2011, and hosting season six of ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’ in 2013.
From 2013 to 2016, Kapil Sharma served as the host, performer, and co-producer of Comedy Nights with Kapil. He had several hosting roles in other major television shows around the same period, including the 60th Filmfare Awards (2015), Star Guild Awards (2015), 22nd Star Screen Awards (2016), and 61st Filmfare Awards (2016).
Since 2016, Sharma has been the host of The Kapil Sharma Show. His other notable television appearances include hosting the 62nd Filmfare Awards (2017), appearing as himself on the television show Aadat Se Majboor (2017), hosting Family Time With Kapil Sharma (2018), and appearing as himself on The Honey Bunny Show With Kapil Sharma (2020 – present).
Film Career
Kapil Sharma made his film debut as Thakur’s son in the 2010 movie, Bhavnao Ko Samjho. He later appeared as himself on ABCD 2 and as Kumar Shiv Ram Kishan on Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon, both in 2015.
In 2017, Sharma starred as Manga in Firangi. The following year, he made a special appearance in Son Of Manjeet Singh, which he also served as producer.
Sharma’s latest cinematic role was in the 2020 film It’s My Life, where he portrayed Pyaare.
Awards and Recognitions
Kapil Sharma has won numerous prestigious awards over the years. Noteworthy ones include;
• 1 BIG Star Entertainment Award
• 1 CNN-IBN Indian of the Year Award
• 1 Gold Award
• 1 Star Guild Award
• 4 Indian Television Academy Award
Kapil Sharma’s Net Worth
As at October 1, 2022, Kapil Sharma had a net worth of USD $45 million. That works out as INR 3.727 billion.
Sharma has earned his millions from his fairly long and highly successful career in the entertainment industry. The Indian comedian reportedly charged as much as Rs 30 – 35 lakh per episode for the first and second seasons of The Kapil Sharma Show. He then negotiated a pay rise to Rs 50 lakhs per episode from the show’s third season.
For winning The Great Indian Laughter Challenge in 2007, Kapil Sharma was awarded INR ?10 lakh in cash prize and lots of potential bonuses.
Lessons from Kapil Sharma
1. It’s okay to change careers sometimes
Kapil Sharma wanted to become a full-time musician at some point. But then he realized his calling was in comedy and decided to shift his focus accordingly.
2. Know your worth and capitalize on it
Sharma understands that he’s a big brand and deserves to be treated as such. The comedian has continually leveraged his popularity to negotiate lucrative pay hikes in many shows he has hosted.
3. Cultivate the spirit of hard work
Kapil Sharma is known for his strong work ethic, to which he proudly attributes his success. The Bollywood personality once said, ‘My work is my worship, and that’s what means the most to me.’
Famous Quotes by Kapil Sharma
• I have received so much love from people. Why will I feel insecure? I am happy.
• I left home to become a singer and didn’t realize when I turned comedian.
• I used to feel that I wouldn’t be able to marry, since I am not a responsible person. I love two things – my work and music.
• Simple things make me very happy.
• The problem with feature filmmaking is that it offers you this mirage of being able to achieve perfection, as the theory of it is that you have control of every part of the film, though in reality, it is as inexact as the next thing in your life.
Conclusion
Kapil Sharma is one of India’s most successful comedians, with a current net worth of USD 45 million.
Sharma is also widely regarded as one of Bollywood’s most influential figures and an inspiration to thousands of budding artists around the world.