By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, Feb 21 (IANS): Kapil Sharma, who made it a point to watch the inaugural episode of his former associate Sunil Grover's "Mad In India", says the latter shouldn't have ever quit his show "Comedy Nights With Kapil".

Sunil effectively and effortlessly portrayed Gutthi in "Comedy Nights With Kapil" before leaving the show late last year. He has now embarked on his own show "Mad In India", where he plays the character of Chutki.

Kapil watched the show, and said: "All I can say is, he (Sunil) should have never left our show. Sunil was part of a very collaborative and creative team. We were all part of the success of our show.

"I am saying this with not a shred of excessive humility, but the show belongs to the entire talented team. Ali Asgar, who plays my Daadi, Upasana Singh who plays my Bua, Kiku Sharad who plays Palak and Sumona Chakravarty who plays my wife and, of course, Sidhu paaji (Navjot Singh Sidhu).

"What would the show be without them? Sunil was an integral part of the team."

So what went wrong?

"I don't know. Sunil has been around trying to find his bearings in the entertainment industry. He's my senior. I've the highest regard for his talents. And I am not the kind to feel threatened or competitive about anyone.

"In fact, I go out of my way to ensure every member of my team has a chance to take centrestage, so I can relax. Sunil must have been provoked into leaving by people around him," said Kapil, who launched "Comedy Nights With Kapil" on Colors in June last year.

Kapil is also upset with Sunil's show.

"Jo baat Gutthi mein thi hamare show mein, woh baat mujhe Chutki mein nahin dikhi (I don't find Sunil's Chutki act to be comparable with his Gutthi on my show).

"Sunil seems lost on the show. As he is my friend and a very important team member, I can only hope to see him happy and comfortable in whatever he is doing," he said, adding that in all fairness, Sunil has every right to do his own show.

"Mad In India" went on air on Star Plus Feb 16.

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