As a child I read a story about a very famous circus clown, who was unrivalled in his art. One night, as he was getting dressed for the show, his wife took very ill, and died in his arms. He was alone in their tent cradling her in his lap. The Big Top was filled to capacity, and reverberated with whoops of joy as the parade started. A voice reminded him he was due on in 15 minutes. The clown wiped his tears, put on his make up which also had large tears, to cover the real ones. He bounced, tumbled and somersaulted around the arena. Peals of laughter reverberated in the Big Top. The other artistes and the Ring Master were amazed with the star clown?s finest performance that they were witnessing. As the finale parade ended, the clown called for attention. He announced ?my wife is dead?. The audience cracked up, and his fellow performers were in disbelief till he took off his mask as he broke down. He then added, I came on because The Show Must Go On. He then ran out of the arena followed by his friends. The audience left their seats in silence.

Yes, the grieving clown is reminiscent of a similar scene from Raj Kapoor?s Mera Naam Joker. The story I have just shared is from a book I had received as a gift from an aunt who was visiting from Jabalpur; the light blue varnished cover bore the title: The Clown and other stories.

As I watched Comedy Nights with Kapil Sharma after the fire on his sets. That week the set was a rustic home: he joked that his house had burned down and they have come to their village. Such is the ingenuity of this young stand up comic. When Sunil Grover left the show to start his own, Kapil was unfazed by his exit. The audience and viewers must be regaled, so let?s get on with it.

Comedy Nights with Kapil is the only comedy show I watch. Because Kapil Sharma is matchless with his wit and approach to comedy. Last week as I watched CNN-IBN?s presentation of their Indian Of The Year recognizing the awardees for their singular contribution their respective fields Kapil Sharma was deemed Entertainer of the Year, head and shoulders above Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. CNN-IBN showed complete justice by bestowing on Kapil Sharma with the epithet: Indian Of The Year: Entertainer of the Year.

Kapil Sharma has made his place without any help or a mentor. The simple boy from Amritsar, a policeman?s son. He has single handedly revolutionized the Sunday night slot. Film stars clamour to be guests on this singular show. Even as he accepted the award, Kapil Sharma?s acceptance speech had the elitist audience in splits. An extension of sorts of his show.

Kapil Sharma has redefined the comedy show genre with his homespun jokes and gags. Still the Amritsar boy at heart, his comedy reaches out to the aam aadmi across India into the overseas footprint too.....