Kiku Sharda Was Told 'Aap Celebrity Nahi Ho' & Rejected From Shows Like Nach Baliye & Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa

Comedian Kiku Sharda's popularity grew multifold after he bagged The Kapil Sharma Show. So much so, that earlier those who rejected him saying he wasn't a celebrity later approached him because now he was one. This happened after he essayed many roles on the show with Sharma.

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When Kiku Sharda was told he was not a celebrity

Kiku Sharda started his acting career in 2001 with Mitti. a Punjabi movie that also starred Mika Singh. He then featured in TV serial Hatim in the role of Hobo. He also played the role of constable Mulayam Singh Gulgule in F.I.R. While he proved his acting mettle in every role that performed, people didn't consider him a celebrity.

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Kiku was always interested in dancing, but he wouldn't be called to participate in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Nach Baliye. He would be told "aap bade actor nahi hain."

In an interview with Pinkvilla, Kiku Sharda said, "I wanted to be a participant on those shows, but nobody called me for it. Why? (I would be told) ¡®Kyunki aap actor bade acche ho, lekin aap itne bade nahi ho, aap celebrity nahi ho abhi tak. Aap actor ho (You are a very nice actor but you aren't a big actor. You are not a celebrity)¡¯".

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"So I was like what¡¯s wrong in being an actor, and you yourself admit that I am a good actor. (But they were like) 'Nahin, uska phir Nach Baliye se kya lena dena (So how is that related to Nach Baliye)? You¡¯re a good actor, but it¡¯s important for you to be a celebrity that people would like to see you as much.¡¯ So yes, I didn¡¯t understand that, but I was like, ¡®Make me popular so that I can do these shows."

However, things changed for him after he joined The Kapil Sharma Show. Four months later, he featured on both the shows.

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"When I started doing Kapil¡¯s show, I think it had just been some 4 or 5 months of me doing his show, when I got a call from Nach Baliye¡¯s team. And I was more than happy as I was waiting. So I did Nach Baliye, soon after I did Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. I enjoy dancing, and I was like, ¡®Dance-based shows are being made¡­ I am here and still why I am not being called for it"

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He was arrested in 2016 after he dressed up as Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan, mimicked him in a funny manner, served alcohol and performed lewd dance with girls.

Kiku, however, got bail the very next day. He was booked under Section 295-A of the Indian Penal Code (for outraging religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious belief).

TOI

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted and sentenced to jail for 20 years, Kiku said, "I went to jail for a day and now sir has gone for 20 years."

In a statement to IANS, he said, "Well, things have been proven in the court and now we all know what he did. Justice happened and it was bound to happen, it's karma. But whatever violence took place (following Ram Rahim's conviction) was really sad. We shouldn't have room for violence, we are peace-loving people, and we should stay in peace."

Also Read: In The World Of 'Free Speech', These Comedians Went To Jail For Cracking Jokes

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