Sunil Grover Declares, "After Gutthi And Rinku Bhabhi, I Now Have A New Name - Khurana Sahab"
Sunil Grover has moved on to a new show, keeping bag and baggage behind. After a successful stint on The Kapil Sharma Show, the comedian proudly talks about his new catch - Kanpur Wale Khuranas
Sunil Grover has made a comeback on TV after 2 years with Star Plus’ Kanpur Wale Khuranas. The show, a tongue-in-cheek take on the year that was (2018), also stars Ali Asgar, Upasana Singh, Adaa Khan, Sugandha Mishra and Aparshakti Khurana among others. We had a chat with Sunil about the show and its reception. Here’s what he had to say. Excerpts:
How has the response to Kanpur Wale Khuranas been?
I have been bombarded with messages by my friends ever since the first episode went on-air. However, the best bit is that I am receiving appreciation from people I don’t know. To tell you, I am in Delhi right now and the moment I landed here, several travellers and the airport staff were all praise for Kanpur Wale Khuranas. When I entered the hotel lobby, people were screaming ‘Khurana Sahab, Khurana Sahab’. While the show was being made, we were apprehensive if the show will resonate with the audience, but looking at the response, we have already succeeded.
Your previous characters have been extremely popular. Were you expecting the same response for Pramod Khurana?
I didn't expect this response. I am making a comeback on TV after 2 years which is a long time. The characters I played before were so famous that there was nervousness about being able to match up. I simply wanted to make my fans laugh and now, with the response, I am relaxed.
How has the response to Kanpur Wale Khuranas been?
I have been bombarded with messages by my friends ever since the first episode went on-air. However, the best bit is that I am receiving appreciation from people I don’t know. To tell you, I am in Delhi right now and the moment I landed here, several travellers and the airport staff were all praise for Kanpur Wale Khuranas. When I entered the hotel lobby, people were screaming ‘Khurana Sahab, Khurana Sahab’. While the show was being made, we were apprehensive if the show will resonate with the audience, but looking at the response, we have already succeeded.
Your previous characters have been extremely popular. Were you expecting the same response for Pramod Khurana?
I didn't expect this response. I am making a comeback on TV after 2 years which is a long time. The characters I played before were so famous that there was nervousness about being able to match up. I simply wanted to make my fans laugh and now, with the response, I am relaxed.
How is Sunil Grover as jijaji in real life?
In real life, main jija kamm saala zyaada hoon. I have many sisters, and I have been blessed with many jijajis. But my character has been modelled on jijajis who love to get upset, it’s a hobby. No matter how much importance you give them, they will find faults. Let me repeat, I am not specifically talking about my jijajis -- pata chala naaraaz ho gaye (laughs).
Have your real-life jijajis called you after watching the show?
No, but my sisters did. I think I should call them and check if jijajis think my role has been inspired by them (laughs).
Fans just can't get over with your previous characters Gutthi, Rinku Bhabhi and Dr Mashoor Gulati...
When I started doing Gutthi, it didn’t become popular instantly, it got popular over time. When I became ‘Rinku Bhabhi’ people said that I should have continued with Gutthi, but believe me, the same people said that it is epic 3 months later. I love doing experiments when it comes to my characters. As an actor or a stand-up comedian, it’s important to test yourself. Every character has its own age -- Rinku Bhabhi went on for almost 1-and-a-half year, Mashhoor Gulati and Gutthi ran for years. All these characters didn’t become popular overnight. Pramod Khurana has become popular in much lesser time.
Fans still want to see you in The Kapil Sharma Show...
I also keep reading such comments, but for me that was a different project. From quite some time, I was missing TV and wanted to do something on this medium, but I wasn’t getting the time. I was shooting for Pataakha and then Bharat. Then this project came to me and it fit into my schedule. Plus, it’s just 16 episodes with lot of scope to perform, so I said ‘Yes’ for it.
We saw Ranveer Singh and Rohit Shetty shoot with you team recently. Which other celebrities will be seen?
We have already shot with Dharmendra Sir and Badshah (singer); the episode will be telecast this weekend. We also shot with Kapil Dev, Sonu Sood, Udit Narayan and Aditya Narayan. We have had a gala time till now and a lot more faces will be seen.
Image Source:- Instagram/whosunilgrover/aparshakti_khurana,sunilgrover,hotstar/tv/kanpur-waale-khuranas,youtube/setindia,thestorypedia
