Mukesh Khanna, known for his iconic role as Shaktimaan, has publicly voiced his dislike for Kapil Sharma and his popular show, The Kapil Sharma Show. Khanna’s discontent is rooted in two specific incidents involving the misrepresentation of his beloved superhero character and a perceived lack of respect from Kapil during an award show.
In a recent interview with Bollywood Thikana, Mukesh Khanna explained why he is critical of Kapil Sharma’s show, which he described as “obscene” and vulgar. Khanna’s concerns are not new, as he had previously declined an invitation to appear on the show in 2020 when the cast of B.R. Chopra’s Mahabharata was invited. He continues to stand by his opinion, detailing the reasons for his disapproval in this latest interview.
Incident 1: Kapil Sharma’s Skit with Shaktimaan’s Costume
One of the major reasons for Khanna’s frustration with Kapil Sharma stems from a comedy skit Kapil performed on Comedy Circus years ago. In the skit, Kapil wore Shaktimaan’s iconic costume but paired it with a girl and a bed, portraying a humorous but, according to Khanna, inappropriate scene. Khanna said, “He wore Shaktimaan’s dress, had a girl in front of him, and showed a bed nearby. Kapil Sharma then moved towards the girl but was interrupted by a phone call, and this was repeated several times.”
For Mukesh Khanna, the portrayal was an insult to the character of Shaktimaan, who had been created as a symbol of purity and morality for children. He added, “We developed a clean character, one that kids look up to. Showing him in this kind of light, as if he would chase after girls, was wrong.” Khanna expressed his disappointment in how his superhero character was mocked in a comedic context that felt inappropriate and contrary to Shaktimaan’s core values.
Incident 2: Kapil Sharma’s Behavior at an Award Show
The second incident that soured Mukesh Khanna’s opinion of Kapil Sharma occurred during an award show early in Kapil’s career. Khanna explained that Kapil sat beside him during the event but never greeted or acknowledged him. “He sat for 15-20 minutes but didn’t even say hello. He just took his award and left,” Khanna recalled, expressing that Kapil’s behavior came off as disrespectful.
While Mukesh Khanna admitted that this incident might seem trivial, it left a lasting negative impression on him. Khanna felt that this lack of courtesy was unbecoming, especially from a young entertainer toward a senior actor.
Khanna’s Stand on Kapil Sharma and His Show
Mukesh Khanna has consistently criticized The Kapil Sharma Show for its content, which he describes as vulgar. He is particularly displeased with the type of humor often showcased, feeling that it is inappropriate for family viewing. Despite this, Khanna did acknowledge Kapil’s talent as an entertainer, saying, “Kapil Sharma is a great entertainer, there’s no doubt about that.” However, he clarified that his issue is not with Kapil’s talent, but rather with the content of his show and certain personal interactions.
Mukesh Khanna’s comments have sparked debates among fans and media. While some support his stance on maintaining clean, family-friendly content, others feel his criticism of Kapil’s comedic approach is too harsh, especially given the nature of satire and parody in entertainment.
Nonetheless, these two incidents remain key reasons for Khanna’s ongoing criticism of Kapil Sharma, and they continue to shape his view of the popular comedian and his brand of humor.