Kiku Sharda is an Indian television actor and comedian known primarily for his work in Hindi-language comedy programmes. He came to wide public attention through the long-running sketch comedy show Comedy Nights with Kapil and its successor The Kapil Sharma Show, where he is known for portraying multiple character roles, often involving cross-dressing and broad physical comedy.
| Full name | Kiku Sharda |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actor, comedian |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Languages of work | Hindi |
| Notable shows | Comedy Nights with Kapil, The Kapil Sharma Show, Hatim, Akbar Birbal, F.I.R. |
| Notable characters | Palak, Bachcha Yadav |
Sharda began his career in television in supporting and ensemble roles before transitioning into comedy. His early work included appearances in fantasy and historical-themed serials on Indian general entertainment channels, which gave him exposure as a character actor capable of comedic timing alongside dramatic roles.
Among his earliest widely-seen roles was a part in the fantasy adventure series Hatim, which aired on Star Plus in the early 2000s. He went on to play comic and supporting roles in serials including Akbar Birbal on Big Magic, where he played Birbal, and the long-running sitcom F.I.R. on SAB TV.
Sharda joined the cast of Comedy Nights with Kapil, hosted by Kapil Sharma, on Colors TV. On the show he became recognised for his role as Palak, a comic female character, performed in drag. The role established his identity as a regular ensemble comedian on Indian prime-time television.
Following the conclusion of Comedy Nights with Kapil, Sharda continued with Kapil Sharma's new venture The Kapil Sharma Show on Sony Entertainment Television. He has appeared across multiple seasons of the programme, performing recurring characters that interact with celebrity guests promoting films and other projects.
Beyond television comedy, Sharda has made appearances in Hindi films in supporting and cameo roles, and has participated in stage shows and live comedy tours associated with the cast of The Kapil Sharma Show, including overseas performances.
Sharda was reported in news media in 2016 in connection with a legal complaint relating to a sketch performed on television; he was briefly detained by authorities in Haryana before being granted bail. The episode received wide coverage and renewed public discussion in India about the limits of satire and impersonation in televised comedy.
Sharda's comic style draws on traditions of Indian theatrical and televised slapstick, including exaggerated voices, female impersonation, and reactive ensemble comedy. As part of one of the most-watched comedy franchises on Indian television, he is among the recognisable supporting comedians associated with the post-2010 wave of sketch-and-celebrity-interview format shows that came to dominate weekend prime-time programming on Hindi general entertainment channels.