Had to make my own ground when Sunil Grover left: Kiku Sharda

New Delhi: Comedian Kiku Sharda, who entertains viewers with his drag act as Palak in 'Comedy Nights With Kapil', says he had to go out of his way to make comedy sequences in the TV show more appealing after Sunil Grover left the show.

Kiku and Sunil made a delightful duo as Palak and Gutthi on the show and their work was widely appreciated by the audience. Sunil left the show midway, leaving Kiku to hold the fort in the show, led by star comedian Kapil Sharma.

"I had to make my own ground while Sunil wasn't around. My job is to entertain people and I wanted to do whatever I could with my character Palak," Kiku told IANS.

"Sunil Grover is an extremely talented actor and a dear friend too. I have known him for the last ten years. I enjoyed myself while we were together as Gutthi and Palak. For whatever reasons he left the show, I think he is fabulous," he added.

Kiku is happy that his hard work has paid off as his popularity has gone several notches higher thanks to his portrayal of Palak.

"It has turned out to be entertaining, and the audience seems to be enjoying it now. When Sunil left, I was a little reluctant and the whole responsibility came upon me. But I think I delivered it (what was required). So it's good for the show and it's good for me," said the actor-comedian, who will soon be seen competing on dance reality show 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa'.

Do you feel that the audience won't accept you in other roles and just comedy?

"There's nothing like that. My audience enjoys watching me have fun. They love my work. I have been doing my roles wholeheartedly. I get a lot of blessings for what I do. What else can I ask for," said Kiku, who is currently seen playing Akbar in his new show "Akbar-Birbal".

Asked whether he wants to start a show of his own, the actor said: "I have no plans to start any show like Kapil Sharma. I am enjoying my time and work on the small screen."

Kiku has also showcased his acting skills on the big screen in "Phir Hera Pheri" (2006) and "No Problem" (2010) and will now be seen in Farah Khan's "Happy New Year". He's open to more films.

"If something interesting comes to me in the main lead, then I would definitely go for a film. But as of now, TV is taking all my time and I am thoroughly enjoying it," he said.