Comedian reflects on father’s death, career setbacks and finding strength again
February 11, 2026: Kapil Sharma has opened up about the turbulent phases of his life, revealing how personal loss, depression and public criticism shaped his journey. In an interview with ETimes, the actor-comedian said every chapter of his life carried its own significance. “Every phase had its own charm. Childhood was different. When my father was there, that phase was different. After he passed away in 2004, life went completely off track. Then I got another chance on TV and came back on track. At 36, depression hit me hard and I went completely down. People started saying, ‘He’s finished.’ Then I got married. Then the show came back. Then I did 300+ episodes again,” he shared.
Kapil recalled how his father’s death left a lasting void, one that success could never fully fill. He remembered breaking down after winning The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Season 3 and receiving a cheque of ₹10 lakh, wishing his father had been there to witness the milestone. Even when his television show became a massive hit, Kapil said he would quietly stand outside his home at 9 pm, listening to laughter echoing from nearby houses, imagining how proud his father would have been.
Despite facing depression and public doubts about his career, Kapil managed to rebuild both personally and professionally. Marriage, renewed focus and the return of his show marked a turning point, proving his resilience. His reflections underline a journey defined not just by fame, but by emotional endurance and the strength to begin again after every fall.