Kiku Sharda

Kiku Sharda – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes


Uncover the life and comedic journey of Kiku Sharda, India’s beloved comedian. From Jodhpur to television stardom, explore his biography, career, challenges, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Kiku Sharda (born 14 February 1976) is an Indian comedian and actor best known for his work in Hindi television and films. Over the years, his versatility, distinct comic timing, and ability to embody quirky characters have made him a household name. Whether it’s his role as Constable Mulayam Singh Gulgule in F.I.R. or the character Palak in Comedy Nights with Kapil, Kiku has carved out a place in Indian pop culture. Beyond laughter, his journey has been marked by personal resilience, evolution, and staying true to one’s craft.

In this article, we dive into his early years, the making of his career, his defining moments, his philosophy, and the words he uses to reflect his mindset.

Early Life and Family

Kiku Sharda’s birth name is Raghavendra Amarnath Sharda, and he was born on 14 February 1976 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He was born into a business family; his father was Amarnath Sharda. Amit, Siddharth, and Sudarshan.

While his early childhood was in Rajasthan, much of his education and adult life centers in Mumbai.

Kiku is married to Priyanka Sharda, and the couple has two sons: Aryan and Shaurya.

Tragically, his parents — Amarnath Sharda and Reeta Sharda — passed away in 2023 (father in September, mother in July).

Youth and Education

Kiku Sharda completed his schooling at Don Bosco High School, Matunga, Mumbai. Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) from Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics in Mumbai. MBA / PGDBM in marketing from Chetana’s Institute of Management Studies & Research in Mumbai.

Though his academic path was focused on commerce and management, early on he also showed interest in drama and performance — a thread that would later blossom into a full-fledged career in entertainment.

Career and Achievements

Beginnings & Early Roles

  • His film debut came in Mitti (2001), playing the character “Qasma.”

  • In television, he got one of his earliest roles as Hobo in Hatim (2003).

  • Over the early 2000s, he appeared in various TV comedy shows including The Great Indian Comedy Show, Comedy Circus Ke Ajoobe, etc.

Breakthroughs & Recognition

  • Kiku gained wide recognition for his role as Constable Mulayam Singh Gulgule in F.I.R. (a long-running sitcom on SAB TV).

  • He became more prominent on Comedy Nights with Kapil, where he played multiple characters, including Palak, which became particularly popular.

  • Later, on The Kapil Sharma Show, he continued to portray diverse comedic roles (Santosh, Bumper, Bachcha Yadav, etc.).

  • He also starred in the comedy show Akbar Birbal as Akbar.

He has participated in reality or dance shows as well, such as Nach Baliye 6 (2013) and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7 (2014).

Film & Web Ventures

While television has been his primary domain, Kiku has also had roles in films:

  • Darna Mana Hai (2003)

  • Phir Hera Pheri (2006)

  • Dhamaal (2007)

  • Happy New Year (2014)

  • Angrezi Medium (2020)

  • Jawaani Jaaneman (2020)

  • Khichdi 2: Mission Paanthukistan (2023)

  • Upcoming / recent films like Loveyapa (2025) among others

He has also explored the digital/web space with series such as Booo Sabki Phategi, Baby Come Naa, etc.

Awards & Honors

  • Indian Telly Awards (2015): Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Comedy) for Akbar Birbal

  • Indian Television Academy Awards (2019): Best Actor in a Comic Role for The Kapil Sharma Show

These accolades recognize his contributions to television comedy and his ability to transform across roles.

Defining Moments & Context

  • His role in F.I.R. served as a foundation for his public recognition, giving him a stable base in comedy.

  • The character Palak in Comedy Nights with Kapil added a distinct identity to Kiku’s repertoire—audiences came to associate him with his comic transformations.

  • In January 2016, Kiku faced legal controversy and arrest for mimicking Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, when he dressed as a baba in a comedic skit, which was construed as offensive to the sect.

  • He weathered criticism, controversies, and body shaming in the public eye, and gradually became outspoken about challenges like trolling and stereotypes.

  • More recently, Kiku has participated in the reality/competitive format Rise and Fall (2025) on OTT platforms, bringing a new dimension to his public persona.

Legacy and Influence

Though Kiku’s legacy continues to evolve, several themes stand out:

  • Versatility in Comedy: He has portrayed varied roles—crossing gender (Palak), historical (Akbar), and everyday (Constable Gulgule)—which shows his range and willingness to experiment.

  • Resilience Amid Challenges: He has navigated legal hurdles, public scrutiny of body image, and the changing tides of television and digital media.

  • Staying Relatable: Despite fame, Kiku often projects a grounded, self-deprecating humor, making him accessible and relatable.

  • Inspirational to Others: His journey from TV side roles to being a mainstay comedian offers hope for aspiring performers who value consistency over overnight stardom.

Personality and Approach

  • Humility & Self-awareness: He often acknowledges learning from peers. For instance:

    “I have been doing comedy for the last 15 years but I don’t have any qualms admitting that I have learnt a lot from Kapil Sharma.”

  • Embracing flaws: He has publicly addressed issues like fat shaming and how labels sometimes shaped his identity.

  • Professional dedication: He has described nonstop shoots, doing roles even under fatigue, seeing laughter as a responsibility.

  • Empathy as a comedian: He has expressed desire to do “clean comedy” and connect with children, reflecting that humor should uplift rather than offend.

  • Grounded values: He identifies as a religious person and acknowledges roots in family, and credits his upbringing in shaping his outlook.

Famous Quotes of Kiku Sharda

Here are some memorable quotes attributed to Kiku Sharda (from BrainyQuote and interviews):

  • “Comedy comes with a bit of sarcasm, wit and edginess.”

  • “I miss Sunil Grover. Such a fine talent Mr. Grover is. We have played so many characters together.”

  • “I have been doing comedy for the last 15 years but I don’t have any qualms admitting that I have learnt a lot from Kapil Sharma.”

  • “I don’t walk into a place, start cracking jokes and become the centre of attraction. You will always find me in a corner with one or two people, having personal conversations with a glass in my hand.”

  • “Even if I have played female characters, nobody has ever teased my kids.”

  • “At the end of the day people should remember that we are just trying to make people laugh. Some jokes work and some don’t.”

  • “I want to do clean comedy and make kids laugh.”

  • “I as an individual can always take a joke on me, big time, there’s no doubt on that.”

  • “Things may go wrong in fashion.”

  • “My character has got its own individuality after the 'Comedy Nights.' People recognize me as Palak. I’m quite happy that Palak has attained such an identity.”

These reflect his humility, self-awareness, and commitment to his craft.

Lessons from Kiku Sharda

  1. Evolve Through Challenges
    His path teaches that setbacks—whether legal, critical, or personal—are part of growth; responding with dignity matters.

  2. Embrace Multifaceted Identity
    He ventured into roles across spectrum (gender, historical, everyday) without limiting himself to a single mold.

  3. Humor with Heart
    Comedy can be kind, not just mocking; Kiku’s emphasis on clean humor shows that laughter and sensitivity can go together.

  4. Authenticity Matters
    Staying grounded, acknowledging flaws, and allowing vulnerability builds deeper connection with audiences.

  5. Continuous Learning
    Even after years in the industry, Kiku speaks about learning from others (e.g. Kapil Sharma) — a reminder that mastery is never final.

Conclusion

Kiku Sharda is not just a comedian who evokes laughter — he is a storyteller, an evolving artist, and someone who intersects humor with humanity. From his early days in Jodhpur and Mumbai to becoming one of India’s most recognized comedic faces, he has walked a path that blends talent, risk, introspection, and resilience.

His life reminds us that the spotlight often shines brightest when one remains grounded behind it. Dive into his performances, revisit his characters, and absorb the lessons behind the laughter.