Raju Srivastava: I am here to stay on Kapil Sharma show but not as Sunil Grover’s replacement

Raju Srivastava has confirmed that he has joined Kapil Sharma Show and is not here only as guest artiste. But is he Sunil Grover's replacement?

Even as Sunil Grover returns as Dr Mashoor Gulati one more time but not for Kapil Sharma show, people are waiting if Kapil can get his flock together again. Sunil will be playing his famous character on Indian Idol’s special episode but has refused to return to Kapil’s show. In the meanwhile, Raju Srivastava is busy answering question if he indeed is Sunil’s replacement on Kapil’s show. Clarifying that he is not taking Sunil Grover’s place on The Kapil Sharma Show, ace comedian Raju Srivastava told indianexpress.com that he has joined the comedy show as a new member and makers are trying to build a permanent character for him.

Since he and comedians Ehsaan Qureshi and Sunil Pal shot for the show as guests last weekend, there had been rumours that the trio would substitute for Sunil, Ali Asgar and Chandan Prabhakar on the popular show. While they refuted the reports, the speculation regarding Raju refused to die down as he also shot for the show Wednesday night, this time as one among the show’s permanent artistes.

Meanwhile, the fondness of the viewers for the show is dropping to an alarming level from last three weeks. If we go by the number of likes and dislikes on YouTube, the last episode of the show got more dislikes (1,11,875) in comparison to 26,599 likes. Also, the number of views of the show on YouTube have dropped to 3,629,041.

Now, clearing the air about his involvement with Kapil’s show, Raju has told the indianexpress.com that



he has indeed joined Kapil’s show and his stint would be a long one. “There’s no agreement signed regarding me joining the show but when I shot it last week, Kapil told me he enjoyed working with me and would like to call me again. Then I shot yesterday. Again Kapil said, ‘I really like your style. I have a script tailor-made for you.’ So, I am going to shoot today as well. In fact, talks are already done for the next one. I am working on the show and it is for a long haul.”

Raju made it clear that he is not Sunil’s replacement. “I have my own style and my own audience. Makers are planning to create a character for me like there are for other artistes on the show. Whenever they will want me, I will come on the show. Kapil is like a younger brother and it can never happen that he calls me and I don’t oblige. In fact, it is a possibility that if Sunil is back on the show, I will be there and we will all perform together.”

Sunil Grover Lashes Out On Kapil Sharma, Says “ Don’t Act Like God”

 

Raju is close to both Kapil and Sunil and hence is trying to facilitate a patch-up. “I have been trying hard to sort out things between them but as per the current situation, Sunil seems to be very angry. Whenever I have texted him in these days, his replies have been such, ‘Paaji I am travelling. I will tell you everything when we will meet.’ Ali and Chandan also agree with Sunil as they say that Kapil has changed now. He is not how he used to be earlier. There’s no update on their return as well,” Raju revealed.