It is akin to a horrible nightmare that keeps repeating itself… After a full two-and-a-half-month break, to recover from reported alcoholism and related health issues, not much appears to have changed for Kapil Sharma. The comedian was supposed to make a guest appearance on the TV show, ostensibly to promote his upcoming film, Firangi. Despite Akshay Kumar’s preference for an early morning slot, the shoot time had been fixed for 11 am after consultation with Kapil’s team. The judges, including Akshay, Sajid Khan and Shreyas Talpade, were on set by 10.30 am…and then began the interminable wait.

Even as Kapil remained unavailable over the phone for hours, around 2.30 pm Akshay suggested that the team start shooting and add Kapil’s portion later. However, one hour later they were informed that the actor was unwell and had been advised rest by his doctor.
The team had no choice but to tweak the script and shoot the show.

This new and unfortunate development does not reflect well on Sharma at all. His downward spiral began earlier this year, when he stood up several celebrity guests on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’. From Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapoor who waited five long hours before they could shoot, to Shah Rukh and Anushka Sharma, and Ajay Devgn, Ileana D’Cruz and team who had to leave minus promoting their respective films, Jab Harry Met Sejal and Baadshaho, it has not been smooth sailing in the least. He also hit the headlines for physically assaulting his co-actor Sunil Grover in a fit of drunken rage. It reached a point where the show had to be pulled off the air as its popular host was simply unable to function.

However, despite assurances that he had quit alcohol and undergone treatment for anxiety, blood pressure and sugar problems at a healthcare centre in Bangalore, Kapil Sharma’s issues are evidently far from resolved. And how many more chances will the industry agree to give him?