12082025-LSTC-01.qxd 8/11/2025 8:44 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE He’s back Life Kiku Sharda UNMASKED Kiku Sharda, one of India’s most loved comedians, is back with The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix doing what he is best at — making people laugh. For the past six weeks, the show has been trending in Netflix’s Top 10, and Kiku’s funny characters are a big reason behind that. UNSTOPPABLE LAUGHTER Kiku and fellow comedian Krushna Abhishek often can’t stop laughing on stage. “Sometimes during the shoot, both of us start laughing uncontrollably. Especially when someone improvises or does something unexpected on stage, we lose it. We try to stay serious but often have bursts of uncontrollable laughter,” he admits. “Once, I had to speak in a Bengali accent, but while performing it with enthusiasm and energy, I have no idea when Bengali turned into Nepali,” adds Kiku. FUNNY COSTUMES & FAN LOVE Kiku’s journey in donning costumes for comedy hasn’t always LUDHIANA | TUESDAY | 12 AUGUST 2025 Queen of C OMEDY been comfortable. “The weirdest was when I played a genie. My whole body and face were painted green, but the character turned out really cute,” he says. There’s more, “Last season, I dressed up as Gangubai in a white sari. While watching the episode, my wife said, ‘ You’re looking so pretty!’ Even fans said I looked genuinely beautiful,” he laughs. Strong belief in herself has helped Archana Puran Singh script her way to success ❝ Most actors would retire at this age, but here I am, an integral part of a show where people dream just to be in audience, and this is my biggest achievement. TRYING NEW THINGS Kiku says the OTT platform has allowed them to try new and fun things. “We’ve played all kinds of characters from Donald Trump to Kim Jong. This season, we’ve brought more characters like Aladdin and Jasmine, and a new funny pair called Sona-Mona. We are trying fresh ideas and pushing ourselves. It’s challenging but so much fun,” he shares. In one episode, Kiku played Tiger Shroff. “It’s not easy to play someone like Tiger when you have a body like mine”, he laughs, “but people are enjoying it, and that’s what matters.” Brace yourself! Baaghi 4 is back and more ferocious than ever. Tiger Shroff returns as Ronny in his most savage avatar yet. Sanjay Dutt stuns as the antagonist. CROSS-DRESSING WITH DIGNITY Playing female characters on television can sometimes raise uncomfortable questions, but Kiku says the response has mostly been positive and respectful. “People rarely ask, ‘Why are you doing this?’ In fact, teachers at my kids’ school often want to visit our sets just to see the shooting process,” he adds. Shivanshi Verma S HE never imagined that she would become one of the most iconic faces of Indian comedy. “I never thought I’d be famous in the comedy world,” says Archana Puran Singh with a chuckle, the very sound that has become her signature. She arrived in Mumbai with dreams of being an actor. Modelling, she believed, would be her stepping stone into the world of films and television. “I didn’t even know what a commercial show was when I did my first TV serial, Shrimaan Shrimati (Mr & Mrs), for Doordarshan,” she recalls. That people would recognise her just for her laughter was something she could never even imagine. “Whether it’s luck or God’s gift — whatever THE REAL KIKU Off-stage, Kiku is not the loud, laughing man we see on screen. “At home, I’m quiet. Even when I meet people, I don’t open up easily. So, sometimes many think I’m arrogant, but I’m not. I’m just not talkative,” shares the comedian, who is an MBA in marketing. A FAMILY MAN Kiku comes from a business family. “If I wasn’t acting, I would be working in our family busines,” he says. The real Kiku Sharda is someone who loves his work and his family. I have achieved by sitting in the judge’s chair is one of the biggest highlights of my career,” she is quick to admit. Archana has always said yes to whatever opportunity has come her way. “I’ve always been passionate about everything in life,” she says. Whether it was modelling, acting, or anchoring the Miss World show without any knowledge about anchoring, the model-actor always gave her best. When Comedy Circus came her way, she agreed without hesitation. Though the comedy star often jokes that she’s rather infamous and not famous for her laughter, but behind that laugh is nearly 35 years of hard work. “That chair I sit on is the result of my long journey,” she claims proudly. Archana believes that if you are known for just one thing, it means you’re doing it really well. While her laughter may have become her trademark, her fans also love Archana for her straightforward nature, acting roles, and strong personality. “Laughter is just a part of me,” she adds. Apart from Shriman Shrimati, the actor is still remembered for her role as Miss Braganza in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai even after nearly 27 years. However, she considers being part of The Great Indian Kapil Show as a major accomplishment of her career. “Most actors would retire at this age, but here I am, an integral part of a show where people dream just to be in audience, and this is my biggest achievement,” she says with an obvious pride. Her commitment to the show has been so unwavering that she’s turned down various acting offers in the past 15 years. The laughter lady says that she tries to find humour even in serious moments. “It helps me not to take things to heart,” she says. And if the tables were turned and she got to host The Great Indian Kapil Show for a day? “I’d roast Kapil the most,” she laughs. “If someone ever kept a count of the number of jokes he has cracked on me, even the calculator would give up. But I also know that Kapil would laugh the most and give the best comebacks.” she laughs. Archana Puran Singh’s journey is not just about becoming famous. It’s about believing in herself, accepting every opportunity that came her way, and finding joy not just in jokes, but in everything in life. PHOTO: VICKY Fitness is a journey, not a race, says actor Sharad Malhotra Sharad is known to play emotionally layered characters and has given one memorable character after another with shows like Banoo Main Teri Dulhann, Bharat Ka Veer Putra — Maharana Pratap, Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki, Naagin and Vidrohi, to name some. He is currently seen in Galat, a mini web series on Rocket Reels. needs focus. I also love working on my biceps, shoulders, sit-ups, and push-ups. Running on the treadmill and doing burpees are my favourites too. I usually train two body parts in a day, workout four to five days a week, and take two days off for rest. What’s the go-to workout playlist that instantly lifts your mood? I start my workouts with the Hanuman Chalisa, the fast version, which instantly lifts my energy levels and helps me focus. I also listen to other inspirational tracks. What fitness means to you? Is there a fitness app you swear by? For me, fitness is not just about the body but also the mind. If the mind is healthy, the body will naturally follow, and vice versa. My fitness goal for 2025 is to read healthy, see healthy, hear healthy, think healthy, and eat healthy. I’m a little old-school. I’m not a big fan of fancy apps or gadgets. I like to read about the body part I’m training before hitting the gym. I enjoy doing Surya Namaskar and sticking to basic workout routines. Doing things the original way has its own charm. What are your favourite exercises? Whenever I hit the gym, I focus on back exercises because the back is the largest muscle group and What’s a fitness habit that’s nonnegotiable for you? I never expected to start my mornings with almonds and It’s all in the mind walnuts, but now it’s a ritual. I begin my day with lukewarm water and lemon, followed by almonds, walnuts, freshly cut fruits, and a healthy breakfast. Recently, I’ve been paying more attention to my meal timings and eating at regular intervals. How do you stay active when you’re on the road or traveling for work? When I travel, I keep my food simple. I stay hydrated. I also carry protein bars to keep my energy levels up. How do you motivate yourself on days when it just feels too hard to even show up? There are days when you feel lazy and lethargic. Those are the days when you have to convince your mind to show up. I push myself by taking a shower, pumping myself up, and heading to the gym. It’s all a mind game. Do you have a role model? Yes. Arnold Schwarzenegger has always been a huge inspiration for me. Guilty pleasure when it comes to food? I love chole bhature, shahi paneer, rajma chawal, and samosa chaat. Discipline is key, but I also allow myself cheat meals occasionally. c m y b Stories they sing! Rajasthan’s Phad performers bring Pabu Ji’s tale to Chandigarh The Government Museum and Art Gallery auditorium in Sector 10, Chandigarh, came alive on Sunday evening with a captivating session of Phad, a form of storytelling from Rajasthan. Veteran storytellers, Om Prakash and Topa Devi, presented the 14th-century tale of Pabu Ji, a deity, whose story has been preserved in their family for generations. For Prakash and Devi, who have been performing in Sector 17 since past two years, this was their first performance on a formal stage in Chandigarh. Phad is a tradition, which has been orally passed down from one generation to the next. “In our childhood, we learned it by watching,” they said “But our children are not interested in taking this tradition forward. If this continues, Pabu Ji’s story will be lost.” Prakash and Devi, however, are happy that organisations are now coming forward to organise such shows, which they feel, will help people learn about this art form. — Shivanshi Verma