Comedian Sunil Grover, who rose to nationwide fame with his hilarious characters like Gutthi and Dr Mashoor Gulati on The Kapil Sharma Show, went through a dark phase before his big break. His co-star Upasana Singh, who played “Bua” on the same show, recently opened up about Sunil’s early struggles — including battling depression and almost being fired by show executives.
Upasana Singh on Sunil Grover’s Mental Health Struggles
In a candid interview, Upasana Singh revealed that before Kapil Sharma’s show took off in 2013, Sunil Grover was hospitalised due to depression and was struggling both emotionally and professionally.
“When Kapil’s show started, he was not well. I asked him what happened, and he said he had been hospitalised because of depression. He didn’t have much work either,” Upasana recalled.
She added that when Kapil and Sunil visited her home, she barely recognised him because he was at a low point in his life. “He wasn’t doing much then, but he did so well later. We’re such good friends now,” she said, praising his resilience.
Executives Wanted to Fire Sunil Grover Early On
Upasana also revealed that during the early days of the show, some creative executives wanted to remove Sunil Grover, thinking he wasn’t performing up to expectations.
“When he initially came in, he spoke at a slower pace. So the creative team on that show wanted to fire him because they thought he couldn’t match up to the rest,” she said.
Upasana said she stood by him, vouching for his acting talent. “I told them — he’s a very good actor, you should keep him on. Sunil and others know about this. And look how he proved everyone wrong,” she added.
The Kapil–Sunil Rift and Public Fallout
Sunil Grover’s journey wasn’t without controversy. After working together on Comedy Nights With Kapil and The Kapil Sharma Show, Sunil left following a reported mid-air altercation with Kapil Sharma during a 2017 flight from Melbourne.
In a later interview, Kapil Sharma admitted there was an argument but said media reports exaggerated the incident.
“It was said I threw a shoe at him — those were fabricated stories,” Kapil told Bollywood Hungama, adding that he had “paid a heavy price” for the fallout.
Public Apology and Respons
After the fallout, Kapil Sharma publicly apologised to Sunil Grover on X (formerly Twitter):
“Paji Sunil Grover, sorry if I hurt you unintentionally. You know how much I love you. Love and regards always :)”
Sunil responded with a heartfelt note:
“Yes, you hurt me deeply. Working with you was a learning experience. Start respecting human beings apart from animals… Have some gratitude for others’ existence.”
Reunion on Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show
Despite their past issues, the duo reunited for Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show, which premiered last year, marking a heartwarming comeback for both comedians. Fans celebrated their reunion, calling it the “return of comedy’s golden duo.”
Sunil Grover’s Journey: From Depression to Stardom
Sunil Grover’s story is a testament to persistence and self-belief. From being nearly fired to becoming one of India’s most loved comedians, he overcame personal and professional challenges to carve his place in the entertainment industry.