Hard route to success: Krushna

Abhishek Sharma popularly known as Krushna Abhishek is ruling the roost in the comedy scene on television. Born on May 30, 1983, in Mumbai, Krushna is the nephew of Govinda. He appeared in shows ‘Comedy Circus’, ‘Nach Baliye’, ‘Jhalak Diklaja’. He also gave excellent performances in films like ‘Bol Bachchan’, ‘Kya Kool Hai Hum 3’ among others. Krushna is all set to join the next season of ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’.

Krushna was recently in Hyderabad to shoot the season 5 of factual entertainment show ‘OMG! Yeh Mera India’ in Ramoji Film City. In a freewheeling chat on the sets on ‘OMG…’, Krushna shares about the latest season, his stint in the film industry and donning the role of a comedian on Indian television. 

Excerpts from an interview 

You are doing the ‘OMG…’ for 5 seasons now, what did you personally learn from it? 
‘OMG! Yeh Mera India’ is a popular show that airs on History Channel and I came to shoot the season 5 of the series. This show is very popular among kids as we show the amazing things that happen across India and they are unbelievable. There are many stories attached to this show and the research that goes into the show is very rigorous. 

Most of the times I get amazed to see such astonishing feats. I came to know about new places and interacted with different people. For example, in Guwahati, there is a family, who only use red and white colours. Their clothes are in red and white, their house, their kids’ school bags, pencils and even their toothpaste and brush are red and white in colour. It is a wonderful feeling to such interesting nuggets and people.

You are a popular comedian on Indian television, did you ever try to come out of that persona?
I always strive to do something new. But I also have to keep doing comedy shows or else how would I earn my bread and butter (laughs).

It is said that you and Kapil don’t get along, what are your comments about it?
We have been rivals for many years. He did his shows, and whenever he shut his shop, I have opened mine and it happened with many shows. And now we have decided to stop this opening and shutting of shops and join hands to open a mall (laughs).

In your opinion what is the definition of a star?
In yesteryears the on-stage singers and film heroes were given the utmost importance, however, that has changed completely. Nowadays, comedians earn more money than other artistes because in this stressful life one needs a break from the daily routine and comedy helps people to rejuvenate. But stardom has always been with popular people, then and now also. 

You have a filmy background. Is that the reason you ventured into acting?
I used to accompany my (maternal) uncle Govinda everywhere. Seeing his popularity and the affection he received from fans created passion in me towards acting. And I was a huge fan of Shah Rukh Khan and I got an opportunity to be an assistant director in one of his films. However, I also got an offer to play the lead role in a film, my debut movie, but that film tanked at the box office.

Did you struggle less than others because of your background?
It is not like that, I had to struggle a lot. If the background was of any help, then I would have been launched by David Dhawan; so filmy connections do not help… it is your own struggle. My career in films did not take off well so I chose to do TV. I knew success is not easy here and I have worked hard for it. After a successful film or a TV show, the following show or film movie might fail, and one needs the courage to face failure. My uncle (Govinda) never recommended my name to anyone. He used to say, ‘If you fall in a pit, only then will you get up on your own’. Today when he sees my success, he feels very proud. I never let stardom to my head because I know people will push away a person who was famous 10 years ago to take a picture with the current star. 

There is an interesting anecdote behind your name too!
My mother was a huge fan of Amitabh Bachchan. And when I was born. She named me after Amitabh’s son. But when I came into the industry, people used to say, ‘Abhishek is other hero’s name, so you change your name’. So, I rechristened myself as Krushna. During the filming of ‘Bol Bachchan’ I told Abhishek Bachchan that I was named Abhishek because of him and that I had to change my name because of him. (laughs).