Indian comedy star Kapil Sharma has honoured the late Pakistani comedian Amanullah Khan, recalling a piece of advice from Khan that he said has stayed with him throughout his career.
Often hailed as the king of comedy in Pakistan, Khan was a legendary stage and television comedian known for his sharp wit, improvisational genius and ability to make audiences laugh effortlessly. His influence crossed borders, inspiring comedians in India as well.
Sharma, one of India’s most popular comedians, has openly acknowledged Khan’s impact on his career. Both comedians share a connection through The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, a platform that helped launch Sharma’s career and showcased the kind of quick, relatable humor that Khan had long mastered, making them icons in the South Asian comedy scene.
During the latest episode of his Netflix series “The Great Indian Kapil Show” with fellow comedians Samay Raina, Ranveer Allahbadia and Sunil Pal, Sharma reflected on the wisdom Khan once shared with him about the purpose of comedy.
“He [Khan] told me that competition is usually between heroes and heroines while comedians, on the other hand, are doing a noble job,” Sharma said. He also recalled Khan as telling him that comedians bring smiles to people’s faces, and that should always be their focus.
“Amanullah Sahib said that while some comedians may receive a louder laugh than others, the ultimate goal remains the same… spreading joy.”
Khan, who also received the Pride of Performance award for his unparalleled contribution to Pakistan’s entertainment industry in 2018, passed away due to kidney failure on March 6, 2020. He began his professional career in 1977 and in a career spanning nearly five decades, performed in over 2,000 stage plays.
