Kapil Sharma is one of the most loved comedians in the Indian television industry. He has captured millions of hearts with his unbeatable comic timing and witty personality. It was in 2007 when Kapil rose to fame after winning The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. Born in Amritsar, Punjab, Kapil Sharma moved to Mumbai to pursue a career as a singer, but fate had other plans.
Kapil Sharma is currently hosting Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show, season 2 and heading many business ventures. However, behind the laughter, there is a story of struggle, the pain of losing his father, and the desperation to make it big in life. Let us read on to learn about Kapil Sharma’s journey, which encompassed his incredible highs and tragic lows.
Kapil Sharma worked in a PCO and earned Rs. 500 per month
Kapil Sharma had a modest beginning and had seen financial struggles early in his life. Kapil Sharma’s late father, Jeetendra Kumar Punj, was a head constable in the Punjab Police and passed away in 2004 after battling cancer. Kapil first worked in a PCO, where he earned Rs. 500 per month. He then worked in a textile mill, earning Rs. 900 per month.
Kapil Sharma struggled to get his sister married
After his father’s death, Kapil was the breadwinner of his family. When his sister’s marriage was fixed, he didn’t have enough money to buy her a ring. That was when the biggest turning point in Kapil’s life came. He won The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and received Rs. 10 lakh as prize money. He then went on to do shows and got his sister married.
Kapil Sharma was featured on Forbes’ highest-earning celebrities list
After winning the show, Comedy Circus, Kapil hosted a couple of shows before he launched his own show, Comedy Nights with Kapil, in 2013. In 2016, he launched another show, The Kapil Sharma Show, which gained immense popularity. Kapil became a household name, and his fame knew no bounds. From luxurious properties and real estate investments to an impressive collection of cars, Kapil now lives a life like a king. He was also featured on the Forbes highest-earning Celebrities of 2019 list.
Kapil Sharma’s tragic downfall and battle with depression
In a very short span of time, Kapil Sharma became the highest-paid TV personality. Big celebrities came to his show to promote their films, and everything that the comedian touched turned to gold. Then came a time when Kapil dominated the headlines and grabbed the limelight for all the wrong reasons. His films failed miserably, and then he got addicted to alcohol. Kapil’s public fallout with Sunil Grover made things worse.
The comedian, who once ruled the headlines, started getting all the negative limelight, and people even commented that fame had got into his head. He battled depression and even had suicidal thoughts. In Aaj Tak’s Seedhi Baat, Kapil recalled that phase and said:
“I actually went into depression. In that phase, I thought about committing suicide. I thought there is nobody with whom I can share what I feel. The place where I come from, mental health is not something that is discussed.”
Kapil Sharma rose to fame again with a staggering net worth of Rs. 280 crores
Despite the controversies, Kapil rose again like a phoenix. He returned to The Kapil Sharma Show and was also featured in Netflix’s special, I am Not Done Yet. Kapil’s role as a delivery boy in Nandita Das’ Zwigato also got him critical acclaim.
In 2024, Kapil launched his own comedy show, The Great Indian Kapil Show, which is now streaming on Netflix. He reportedly earns a staggering sum of Rs. 5 crore per episode, and his current net worth is approximately Rs. 280 crores.
From financial struggles to a tragic downfall, Kapil Sharma has seen it all. But despite the struggles, he didn’t give up and rebuilt everything from scratch.
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