After Sunil Grover, Is Kapil Sharma's New Co-Star Raju Srivastava? Not Yet

New Delhi: New developments on The Kapil Sharma Show - or, more accurately, not. Reports today suggest that the comedy series has added to its cast of comics, two of whom are currently feuding - Kapil Sharma, who leads the cast, allegedly assaulted co-star Sunil Grover on a flight and Mr Grover is said to have quit the show although his reported exit has not been officially announced. Mr Grover and his co-stars Ali Asgar and Chandan Prabhakar did not participate in the episode of The Kapil Sharma Show shot this week. Times Of India and other news portals are reporting now that comedian Raju Srivastava might be asked or has been asked to join the reportedly dwindling cast - the show might also lose series regular and newly-minted minister in the Punjab government Navjot Singh Sidhu, who may have to give up his TV career.

The reports are largely based on photos of Mr Srivastava and other stand-up comics on the sets of The Kapil Sharma Show. However, it appears that while he was certainly invited to film one episode, it may not yet be a permanent posting. Raju Srivastava told NDTV that he isn't onboard yet and if does join the show, it won't be as anybody's replacement. "I too have read reports saying I have replaced Sunil in the show or that I have joined the show. When I went for the shoot on Tuesday, I had no idea about Sunil and Kapil's fight. I have been a part of this show earlier. I haven't officially been offered to join the show so far but a lot of people on the set told me that I should be a part of it. Kapil also called me and praised me. I want to make it clear that I am not replacing anyone. It's possible that Sunil and I could feature together on the show," he said.

Raju Srivastava also revealed that almost none of the regular cast members were present at the recording. "Kiku Sharda was the only member from the original team who shot for Tuesday's episode. Sunil Grover, Ali Asgar, Chandan Prabhakar and Sugandha Mishra weren't there," he said, adding that he hoped Sunil Grover and Kapil Sharma would sort things out.

Mr Srivastava posted a tweet on Wednesday revealing that he, Sunil Pal and other comedians had filmed The Kapil Sharma Show- makers of the show say they were guests and that casting decisions will be taken next week.
 

At Kapil's show... pic.twitter.com/aBhRyST1pm

— Raju Srivastava (@iRajuSrivastava) March 22, 2017

For those who don't know, Kapil Sharma was allegedly drunk while flying out of Melbourne with his cast mates, reportedly flew into a rage when his co-stars began eating while he was still finishing a drink, began ranting at them and then allegedly assaulted Sunil Grover who tried to intervene. These are details revealed to various news portals by eyewitnesses who have remained anonymous and none of it has been confirmed by either Mr Grover or the other actors on the flight.

In a Facebook post written on Monday, Kapil Sharma explained the alleged assault away as an 'argument' that ought to be treated like a 'family matter.' Sunil Grover, he wrote, is like an 'elder brother' to him.
 

 

 

Later, he offered an apology on Twitter:
 

Paji @WhoSunilGrover sry if I hurt u unintentionally.u knw vry well how much I luv u. M also upset .love n regards always:)

— KAPIL (@KapilSharmaK9) March 20, 2017

Sunil Grover's response was a strongly-worded tweet in which he warned Mr Sharma not to 'act like God.'
 

From a friend, with love @KapilSharmaK9 pic.twitter.com/2c7uQ5jqH5

— Sunil Grover (@WhoSunilGrover) March 21, 2017

Sunil Grover's absence from the episode of The Kapil Sharma Show is being seen as an indication that he has exited - this time for good, after having quit the previous show Comedy Nights With Kapil over payment issues and rejoined the cast of the new series. The absence of Ali Asgar and Chandan Prabhakar has been attributed by the media to perceived solidarity with Mr Grover - however, producers insist that they were not required for the episode because of the presence of Raju Srivastava and others.