In the recent kickoff of Kapil Sharma’s brand-new comedy venture, ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show,’ fans eagerly tuned in to see the celebrated Kapoor family grace their screens. The Saturday premiere featured prominent family members Neetu Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, and his sister Riddhima in a laughter-filled episode. Audiences, however, were puzzled by the noticeable absence of Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, Ranbir’s spouse. Speculation arose that Alia’s non-appearance might have been due to payment disagreements.
Providing insight into the matter, a source from the Times Now news network divulged some behind-the-scenes details. “Originally, the entire Kapoor clan – Neetuji, Ranbir, Riddhima and Alia – was slated to be invited. The show’s producers were even willing to flex the shooting schedule to accommodate Alia’s convenience. Unfortunately, she was not amenable to the idea,” the source disclosed. It emerged that the erstwhile practice of stars appearing on Kapil’s televised show without monetary compensation has evolved with the move to Netflix, where celebrities are now remunerated for their participation. This change in the show’s format could hint at the rationale behind Alia’s decision to skip the show.
The love story of Ranbir and Alia has always captivated the public eye. The pair had a fairy tale romance of five years culminating in a private wedding ceremony at Ranbir’s Bandra residence, Vastu, on April 14, 2022. Later that year, in November, they embraced parenthood with the birth of their daughter, Raha. Throughout the show, the Kapoor family conversed about the couple’s nuptials, with Ranbir sharing a comic episode from the ‘joota chupai’ ritual – a traditional playful exchange during Indian weddings where the bride’s family hides the groom’s shoes for a ransom.
In one candid exchange, Kapil Sharma inquired about the rumored hefty payout for the stolen footwear. Ranbir clarified with laughter that only a small amount had been given. His mother, Neetu Kapoor, confirmed they did part with some cash, but after witty negotiations, Alia’s family settled for a mere couple of thousand. The show’s other stars, including Archana Puran Singh, appeared taken aback by this modest sum. Ranbir jovially responded, “The wedding happened at home. The shoes would still be at home. Take them if you want,” which elicited laughter all around.
‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ is a fresh entrant on Netflix’s roster and starting its journey from March 30. The show boasts of an ensemble cast with renowned comic actors such as Sunil Grover, Archana Puran Singh, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, and Rajiv Thakur, ensuring that audiences are in for a comedic treat.
Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt is set to showcase her talent in the upcoming film ‘Jigra’ by director Vasan Bala. Ranbir Kapoor, on the other hand, is immersed in preparations for the mythological epic ‘Ramayana’ helmed by Nitesh Tiwari. Both actors have continued to captivate the audience with their work and are expected to shine in their future projects.
The absence of Alia Bhatt from the celebrity-studded couch raised many eyebrows and ignited a discourse on celebrity participation in television and streaming platform shows. While the details of the negotiations remain private, the incident has highlighted the evolving dynamics between show production and celebrity appearances in the rapidly changing media landscape. As the show progresses, fans hope to see more of their favorite stars, perhaps even Alia Bhatt, in forthcoming episodes of Kapil Sharma’s scoop of humor on Netflix.
(With inputs from ANI)
