Sunil Grover’s Struggle with Depression Before Becoming a Star

Post by : Mina Rahman

Famed comedian Sunil Grover, celebrated for his role on The Kapil Sharma Show, faced significant challenges both personally and professionally prior to his breakthrough in 2013. In a recent interview, Upasana Singh, known for her character “Bua” on the show, shared insights into Grover’s difficult time battling depression and the looming risk of being removed from the cast.

Sunil Grover’s Fight Against Depression

Upasana Singh recounted that during the show's inception, Sunil was dealing with severe issues. “When Kapil's show first launched, he was struggling. I asked him about it, and he revealed that he had been hospitalized due to depression. Work was scarce for him as well,” she stated.

She noted the dramatic change in Grover since then. “He visited my home with Kapil, and I didn’t even recognize him because he was in such a different place at that time. But he has excelled since then, and we’ve become great friends,” she reflected, admiring his strength and talent.

Concerns About Sunil Grover’s Performance

Upasana also shared that there was a moment when the creative team deliberated on whether to let Grover go. “Initially, he spoke more slowly, which led executives to question his fit within the cast and consider his removal,” she explained.

She stood up for him, arguing that Grover was a gifted talent who merely needed time to adjust. “I told them he had potential; they needed to keep him on. I’m thankful they did, considering how far he has come today,” Upasana noted.

Grover and Kapil Sharma's Complicated Relationship

Sunil Grover and Kapil Sharma collaborated on numerous successful comedy shows, including Comedy Nights With Kapil and The Kapil Sharma Show. However, their rapport deteriorated in 2017 following a reported incident during a flight from Melbourne, leading to Grover's exit from the show.

Kapil later acknowledged there were issues but insisted the media exaggerated the details. “There were claims that I threw a shoe at Sunil or caused a scene. Those stories were misleading,” he clarified.

Making Amends and Their Reunion

After the incident, Kapil took to X (formerly Twitter) to convey an apology:

“Paji Sunil Grover, I’m sorry if I hurt you unintentionally. You know how much I care. It’s upsetting for me too. Best wishes always :)”

Sunil responded with both warmth and firmness:

“Bha ji! You did hurt me profoundly. Collaborating with you has been a valuable lesson. Just one piece of advice — respect people, not just animals... show appreciation for their existence.”

Years later, the comedians came together again for The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix, a much-anticipated event for fans wishing to see them collaborate once more.

Through struggles and setbacks, Sunil Grover’s journey serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and talent triumphing over adversity in the entertainment field.