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Sunil Grover
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Sunil Grover (born 3 August 1977) is an Indian actor and comedian who works in Hindi and Punjabi language films and television. He came into limelight for his portrayal as Gutthi on television show Comedy Nights with Kapil but gained popularity for playing the role of Dr. Mashoor Gulati, Rinku Devi and Pidu on The Kapil Sharma Show.[1] Grover has appeared in several films such as Ghajini, Gabbar Is Back, Baaghi, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Bharat[2] and Jawan.
Key Information
Personal life
[edit]Grover was born on 3 August 1977 in Mandi Dabwali town of Sirsa district, Haryana.[3][4] He received a Master's Degree in Theatre from Panjab University Chandigarh. He is married to Aarti and has a son.[3][5][6] His brother Anil Grover is also an actor.[7]
In February 2022, Grover suffered a heart attack, and had to undergo four bypass surgeries.[8][9]
Career
[edit]Grover was discovered during his college days by the late satirist and comedian Jaspal Bhatti.[10] He has also acted in India's first silent comedy show, SAB TV's Gutur Gu in the initial 26 episodes.
During 2000s, he made his television debut with Chala Lallan Hero Banne on Filmy.[11]
He gained a lot of popularity from the comedy show Comedy Nights with Kapil and became well known for his comical characters like Gutthi, Rinku Bhabi and Dr. Mashoor Gulati.[12][13] He also mimics famous Bollywood actors like Amitabh Bachhan and many others in the show which were mostly liked by the viewers. But after having a fight with his co-actor Kapil Sharma, Sunil left the show.[14][15]
Soon after leaving Kapil's show, Grover returned to television with Star Plus's show Kanpur Wale Khuranas with Aparshakti Khurana as the host. The plot of the show was similar to that of The Kapil Sharma Show, but it didn't last long and soon went off air.[16][17]
In 2016, Grover debuted in the Punjab film industry with Vaisakhi List and the same year he portrayed Shraddha Kapoor's father in Baaghi.
He made a comeback in television industry in August 2020 with the show Gangs of Filmistan on Star Bharat where he played role of Bhindi Bhai.[18] The show ended in October 2020.[19]
In 2021, Grover portrayed Gurpal Chauhan in political drama web series Tandav,[20] directed by Ali Abbas Zafar with an ensemble cast of Saif Ali Khan, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Kumud Mishra, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Gauahar Khan, Amyra Dastur, Kritika Kamra, Sarah Jane Dias and Sandhya Mridul, Anup Soni and Dino Morea.[21] In the same year, he portrayed Sonu Singh in the thriller web-series Sunflower, for which he shed almost 8.1 kilos.[22][23]
After a seven-year fallout, Grover reunited with his long-time co-star Kapil Sharma for The Great Indian Kapil Show, which started streaming on Netflix from 30 March 2024.[24] His mimicry of Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Kader Khan and Gulzar has received critical acclaim. [25][26][27]
Filmography
[edit]| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Films
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha | Barber Totaram |
| 1999 | Mahaul Theek Hai[28] | |
| 2002 | The Legend of Bhagat Singh | Jaidev Kapoor |
| 2004 | Main Hoon Na | College Student |
| 2005 | Insan | Mahesh |
| 2006 | Family: Ties of Blood | Aryan's Friend |
| 2008 | Ghajini | Sampat |
| 2011 | Mumbai Cutting | |
| 2013 | Zila Ghaziabad | Faqeera |
| 2014 | Heropanti | Driver Devpal |
| 2015 | Gabbar is Back | Constable Sadhuram |
| 2016 | Vaisakhi List | Tarsem Lal |
| Baaghi | P. P. Khurana | |
| 2017 | Coffee with D | Arnab Ghosh |
| 2018 | Pataakha | Dipper |
| 2019 | Bharat | Vilayti Khan |
| 2022 | Goodbye | Pandit Ji |
| 2023 | Jawan | Irani |
| 2024 | Blackout | Bewdiya/Asgar Don[29] |
| 2026 | Vvan – Force of the Forrest † | TBA[30] |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Full Tension | Various characters | [28] |
| 2001 | Professor Money Plant | Punjabi Television series[28] | |
| 2002 | Ssshhhh...Koi Hai | Unnamed | |
| 2005 | Lo Kar Lo Baat[citation needed] | Himself | |
| 2007 | Kaun Banega Champu | Ruk Ruk Khan | |
| 2008 | Kya Aap Paanchvi Fail Champu Hain? | ||
| 2008 | Chala Lallan Hero Ban ne | Lallan | |
| 2010–2012 | Gutur Gu | Balu Kumar | [31] |
| 2012 | Comedy Circus | Various characters | |
| 2013 | Safar Filmy Comedy Ka | Host | [32] |
| 2013–2016 | Comedy Nights with Kapil | Gutthi, Khairatilal, Kapil's father in law and Various characters | [33][34][35] |
| 2014 | Mad In India | Chhutki | [36][37] |
| 2016–2017 | The Kapil Sharma Show | Dr. Mashoor Gulati, Rinku Devi, Piddu and Various characters | [38] |
| 2017 | Indian Idol 9 | Dr. Mashoor Gulati/Rinku Devi | [39] |
| 2017 | Sabse Bada Kalakar | Dr. Mashoor Gulati | Guest appearance |
| 2017 | Super Night with Tubelight | Dr. Mashoor Gulati, Bachchan Sahab and Various characters | Television special to promote Tubelight |
| 2018 | Super Night with Padman | Dr. Mashoor Gulati, Rinku Devi and Various characters | Television special to promote Padman |
| 2018 | Dus Ka Dum | Bachchan Sahab and Rinku Devi | Television special |
| 2018 | Jio Dhan Dhana Dhan | Professor Sahab | |
| 2018–2019 | Kanpur Wale Khuranas | Mr. Khurana | |
| 2018 | 25th Star Screen Awards | Stree | Co-hosted the show with Ayushyaman Khurana, Vicky Kaushal and Salman Khan |
| 2019 | Bigg Boss (Hindi season 13) | Guest appearance | Along with Harsh Limbachiyaa |
| 2020 | Gangs of Filmistan | Bhindi Bhai | [40] |
| 2021 | Tandav | Gurpal Chauhan | [20][41] |
| 2021–2024 | Sunflower | Sonu Singh | [42][43] |
| 2023 | United Kacche | Tejinder "Tango" Gill | [42][43] |
| 2024–present | The Great Indian Kapil Show | Dhafli, Engineer Chumbak Mittal and various characters | |
| 2025 | Dabba Cartel | Chacko Kurian | [44][45] |
Radio
[edit]| Title | Notes |
|---|---|
| Hansi Ke Phavare-1 | Sud on Radio Mirchi[46] |
Songs
[edit]| Title | Role |
|---|---|
| "Daaru Peeke Girna" | Billa Sharabi |
| "Mere Husband Mujhko Piyar Nahin Karte" | Rinku Bhabhi |
Dubbing roles
[edit]Animated films
[edit]| Film title | Original voice | Character | Dub Language | Original Language | Original Year Release | Dub Year Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken Little | Adam West | Ace – Hollywood Chicken Little | Hindi | English | 2005 | 2015 |
Awards
[edit]| Year | Category | Film/Role | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ITA Award For Special Mention Comic Icon | Mimicry of Amitabh Bachchan | Won[47] |
References
[edit]- ^ Tiwari, Vijaya (26 July 2017). "I miss Sunil Grover on The Kapil Sharma Show, but a show doesn't stop, it must go on: Sumona Chakravarti". The Times of India. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
- ^ "Sunil Grover To Resume Work 2 Months After Undergoing Heart Surgery | Deets Inside". News18. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
- ^ a b "Happy Birthday Sunil Grover: RJ Sud to Gutthi to Rinku bhabhi, his journey has been a laugh fest. Watch videos". The Indian Express. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
- ^ Ghosh, Devarsi (11 June 2019). "Sunil Grover on the success of 'Bharat': 'Whatever will happen henceforth can only be good'". Scroll.in. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
- ^ "Everything You Need To Know About Sunil Grover Aka Gutthi". indiatimes.com. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
- ^ "Happy Birthday Sunil Grover: Earning Rs 500 a month to sharing screen space with Salman Khan; interesting facts about the comedian". The Times of India. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "'Dunki' actor Anil Grover recalls meeting Shah Rukh Khan while brother Sunil Grover underwent surgery". The Times of India. 27 December 2023.
- ^ "Sunil Grover suffered a heart attack, underwent 4 bypass surgeries, confirms doctor who treated the actor". The Economic Times. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ Panchal, Komal R. J (3 February 2022). "Sunil Grover's doctor says he had 'blockages in all 3 major arteries': 'Had a heart attack, discharged now'". The Indian Express. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ Nijher, Jaspreet (27 July 2014). "Sunil Grover aka Guthi is Jaspal Bhatti's find!". The Times of India. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "Happy Birthday Sunil Grover: Did You Know TV's Gutthi Started His Career as an RJ?". 3 August 2022.
- ^ Kaushal, Sweta (17 February 2014). "Sunil Grover's Chutki fails to recreate Gutthi magic". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ IANS (11 March 2014). "Sunil Grover in new avatar as Sabjee". Zee News. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "Sunil Grover Finally Breaks Silence on The Kapil Sharma Show Comeback Rumours". News18. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- ^ "Kapil Sharma threw a shoe at Sunil Grover because the team ate before him". Hindustan Times. 22 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- ^ "Sunil Grover's Kanpur Waale Khuranas to go off air, comedian explains why". Hindustan Times. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- ^ "Sunil Grover's Kanpur Wale Khuranas to go off air soon. Here's why". India Today. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
- ^ Farzeen, SAna (12 August 2020). "Sunil Grover: Will donate my earning from Gangs of Filmistan to charity". The Indian Express. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ Trivedi, Tanvi (24 October 2020). "Comedy show 'Gangs of Filmistaan' wraps up in less than two months - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Sunil Grover: Tandav was a new world for me as an actor". The Indian Express. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ^ Parashar, Shivam (4 January 2021). "Tandav trailer out. 10 unmissable moments from new Saif Ali Khan web series". India Today. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ Team, Koimoi. com (8 June 2021). "Sunil Grover Breaks Silence On Returning On The Kapil Sharma Show: "But Yes, In Near Future..."". Koimoi. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
- ^ Keshri, Shweta (23 March 2022). "Sunil Grover resumes work 2 months after heart attack, heads to Rishikesh". India Today. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "Timeline: How Kapil Sharma And Sunil Grover Reunited After Infamous Fight On Flight". NDTV. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
- ^ "Varun Dhawan, Raghav Juyal, Ishaan Khatter, celebs shower praise on Sunil Grover's mimicry of Kader Khan: 'When you embody the soul..' - WATCH VIDEO". The Times of India. 15 March 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Sunil Grover's masterful mimicry of Gulzar is so good that not only Shaan, but all of internet is floored: Real-life AI". Hindustan Times. 18 August 2025. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Aamir Khan praises Sunil Grover, says he does not 'mimic gestures' but understands 'how you think'". Hindustan Times. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "I love being a 'wanna-be' sometimes: Sunil Grover". Hindustan Times. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ Chakraborty, Urmi (17 May 2024). "Vikrant Massey and Mouni Roy's Blackout to stream on JioCinema; see poster here". The Telegraph. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "'VVan– Force of the Forest': Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia to Star in New Thriller". The Hollywood Reporter India. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
- ^ Hegde, Rajul (24 February 2010). "Meet the desi Mr. Bean". Rediff.com. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
- ^ "SAB TV to pay tribute to comedy in cinema". India TV News. IANS. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- ^ Mishra, Iti Shree (29 October 2013). "There are so many girls like Gutthi: Sunil Grover". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ "I left 'Comedy Nights with Kapil' to earn more money: Sunil Grover". CNN IBN. 5 December 2013. Archived from the original on 7 December 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- ^ "Sunil Grover shoots for Comedy Nights". Patrika Group. No. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ^ Kapoor, Jaskiran (21 February 2014). "Sunil Grover's 'Mad In India' a poor version of Comedy Nights with Kapil". The Indian Express. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ "Sunil Grover's new role on Mad In India is child named Sabjee". NDTV. IANS. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
- ^ "Sunil Grover says, My intentions are to act and to entertain with dignity". The GenX Times. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
- ^ "Sunil Grover earns praises for his performance on the grand finale of Indian Idol Season 9 finale". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
- ^ Sadhna (28 August 2020). "Mashoor Gulati Sunil Grover turns Bhindi Bhai for Gangs Of Filmistan". India Today. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ Keshri, Shweta (4 January 2021). "Tandav trailer out, into murky politics with Saif Ali Khan in new Amazon Prime web series". India Today. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Sunil Grover Begins Shoot for Web Series Sunflower by Vikas Bahl". News18. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- ^ a b Bhasin, Shriya (8 November 2020). "Sunil Grover to play lead in ZEE5 web series 'Sunflower'". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- ^ Khurana, Archika (28 February 2025). "Dabba Cartel Season 1 Review: From tiffins to turf wars: these women mean business". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
- ^ Deb Roy, Lachmi (3 March 2025). "Netflix & Farhan Akhtar's 'Dabba Cartel' Review: Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Gajraj Rao's series is an ode to female friendship". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 28 February 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2025.
- ^ Radio Ha-ha | Business Standard News Business Standard > Beyond Business (14 September 2008). Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ "Sunil Grover Awards: List of awards and nominations received by Sunil Grover". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
External links
[edit]
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Sunil Grover
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Upbringing and family background
Sunil Grover was born on 3 August 1977 in Mandi Dabwali, a town in the Sirsa district of Haryana, India.[9] He was raised in a middle-class Punjabi Hindu family, with his father, J. N. Grover, working as a bank manager at the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, and his mother, Raj Rani Grover, serving as a homemaker.[10][11] The family resided in the modest surroundings of Sirsa, where Grover grew up alongside his brother, Anil Grover, who later pursued acting.[10][12] Grover's childhood unfolded in the conservative, close-knit environment of a small-town Punjabi household in Haryana, shaped by traditional family values and limited resources.[13] The family's dynamics emphasized stability through his father's steady government banking job, providing a grounded upbringing amid the rural-urban influences of the Sirsa district.[14] From a young age, Grover displayed a natural aptitude for performance, often entertaining family members by mimicking relatives and local figures, which sparked his early fascination with mimicry and comedy.[15] This interest was further nurtured through participation in school dramas and exposure to local theater and radio broadcasts, laying the foundation for his future in entertainment despite the conventional family setting.[16]Education
Sunil Grover completed his schooling at Arya Vidya Mandir in Mandi Dabwali, a town in the Sirsa district of Haryana. During these years, he displayed an early flair for performance by participating in school plays and mimicking characters from Hindi films, which sparked his interest in the arts.[17][18] After schooling, Grover pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Guru Nanak College in Chandigarh, affiliated with Panjab University. He subsequently obtained a Master's degree in Theatre from Panjab University, Chandigarh, finishing in the early 2000s. This formal education in commerce transitioned into specialized training in performing arts, allowing him to blend analytical thinking with creative expression.[19][18] At Panjab University, Grover immersed himself in theater groups, participating in productions that emphasized satirical and comedic elements. These experiences enabled him to refine essential skills such as acting, voice modulation, and improvisation, foundational to his later career. A pivotal influence came from the late comedian Jaspal Bhatti, who discovered Grover during his college days and provided early guidance that shaped his approach to humor and stage presence.[20][21]Career
Early work in radio and television
Sunil Grover began his professional career in media as a radio jockey, adopting the persona of RJ Sud on Radio Mirchi, where he hosted the popular comedy series Hansi Ke Phuware for several years, delivering humorous sketches and voiceovers that showcased his comedic timing.[22] This role, which he took up during his studies at Panjab University, allowed him to hone his skills in satire and character voices, drawing on his theatre background to entertain listeners across North India.[23] His work as RJ Sud earned him recognition in the radio circuit, marking his initial foray into broadcast media before transitioning to television. Grover made his television debut in the early 2000s with the comedy show Chala Lallan Hero Banne on the Filmy channel, where he portrayed the lead character Lallan, a aspiring hero navigating humorous mishaps in Bollywood dreams.[24] The show, which aired around 2003, featured Grover as both host and performer, blending parody and light-hearted sketches that parodied film industry tropes, and he also served as the channel's brand ambassador during this period.[25] This opportunity provided his first on-screen exposure, building on his radio experience to attract a wider audience through satirical takes on cinema culture. In the mid-1990s, Grover collaborated with veteran satirist Jaspal Bhatti, appearing in shows like Full Tension and Flop Show, where he performed in various supporting roles, often as a servant or comedic sidekick in sketches lampooning everyday societal issues and bureaucracy.[21] Bhatti, who discovered Grover during his college theatre days, gave him key breaks in these Doordarshan productions, allowing him to contribute to biting humor that critiqued urban life and corruption through exaggerated characters and scenarios.[26] These collaborations, including memorable episodes where Grover shared the screen with Bhatti in absurd situations like fake police inspections, helped refine his ability to embody quirky personas in live-audience formats.[22] Throughout his early career, Grover faced significant struggles in Mumbai, enduring multiple failed auditions and periods of financial hardship, including earning as little as Rs 500 a month from sporadic voiceover gigs and small television appearances.[4] He took on minor roles in shows such as the SAB TV series Gutur Gu (2010), where he contributed to the initial episodes of the silent comedy format, and other uncredited parts that kept him persistent amid rejections.[27] These challenges, coupled with living in modest conditions and occasional daily wages of Rs 20 for odd jobs, tested his resolve but ultimately fueled his growth as a versatile performer in radio and television.[28]Breakthrough on comedy shows
Sunil Grover's breakthrough in the Indian entertainment industry occurred through his participation in the comedy show Comedy Nights with Kapil, which aired on Colors TV starting June 2013. Host Kapil Sharma, recognizing Grover's earlier mimicry talents from radio and television, cast him in the role of Gutthi, a vivacious Haryanvi housewife portrayed in drag, along with other characters like the gossipy neighbor Khairatilal. This debut marked a pivotal shift, transforming Grover from a supporting performer into a lead comic force on prime-time television.[29] From 2013 to 2016, Grover's portrayal of Gutthi propelled the show to peak popularity, with the character's sassy dialogues, dance moves, and relatable humor resonating widely across urban and rural audiences in India. Gutthi emerged as a cultural icon, inspiring fan imitations, memes, and widespread media buzz, significantly boosting the show's viewership ratings to among the highest for comedy formats at the time. In late 2013, Grover briefly exited the program citing prior commitments and a desire for higher remuneration, but fan outcry led to his return in mid-2014, where he continued performing Gutthi and expanded to roles like the flirtatious Rinku Bhabhi.[30][31][32] During this period, Grover diversified into judging the comedy reality series Mad in India on Star Plus in 2014, where he contributed sketches as the character Chutki and evaluated contestants, further solidifying his influence in the genre despite the show's mixed reception. The conclusion of Comedy Nights with Kapil in January 2016 ended this chapter, but Grover's tenure had lasting effects on Indian comedy, elevating drag-based sketch humor and amassing a dedicated fanbase that transcended television. Media coverage intensified around professional tensions with Sharma, including a widely reported 2017 flight altercation from Mumbai to Delhi, where Sharma allegedly verbally and physically confronted Grover and other crew members over delays in serving food, underscoring the high-stakes dynamics of their collaboration and its ripple effects on the comedy landscape.[33][34][35]Transition to films and web series
Following minor roles in films like Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998) and The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002), Grover focused on television before making a prominent return to Bollywood in 2015 with Gabbar Is Back, portraying the role of Constable Sadhuram in a non-comic capacity alongside Akshay Kumar.[36][37] This role represented a deliberate shift, as Grover sought to challenge audience perceptions of him solely as a comedian, expressing hope that the film would serve as his "gateway to films."[37] Following his debut, Grover embraced comedic roles in subsequent projects, including Baaghi (2016), where he played Shraddha Kapoor's father in a light-hearted supporting part, and Coffee with D (2017), in which he took the lead as Arnab Ghosh, a satirical take on a high-profile journalist attempting to interview a notorious underworld figure.[38] The latter film highlighted his ability to anchor a comedy-thriller narrative, though it received mixed reviews for its execution despite Grover's energetic performance.[39] Grover's transition faced hurdles, particularly in securing serious roles, with filmmakers expressing concerns that audiences might laugh at his dramatic attempts due to his established comic persona from television characters like Dr. Mashoor Gulati.[40] He addressed this in Pataakha (2018), playing the grounded, serious character of Dipper in Vishal Bhardwaj's rural drama, which earned praise for showcasing his range beyond humor and helping filmmakers view him more seriously.[41] This effort was further bolstered by his comedic yet pivotal role as Vilayti Khan in Bharat (2019), opposite Salman Khan, which solidified his versatility and prompted industry acknowledgment of his growth.[42][43] Expanding into digital platforms, Grover entered web series with Sunflower (2021) on ZEE5, embodying the quirky and naive Sonu Singh, a salesman entangled in a murder mystery within a Mumbai housing society, effectively blending his comedic timing with suspenseful elements.[44] The series' unique mix of humor and intrigue was well-received, leading to a second season in 2024, where Grover reprised Sonu Singh amid escalating chaos and new suspects.[45] This OTT venture underscored his successful diversification, allowing deeper exploration of multifaceted characters away from traditional film constraints.[46]Recent projects and collaborations
In 2023, Sunil Grover took on a notable antagonist role as Irani, a henchman in the criminal syndicate led by the film's primary villain, in the action thriller Jawan, directed by Atlee and starring Shah Rukh Khan.[47] This marked Grover's expansion into high-profile Bollywood cinema, where his portrayal contributed to the ensemble's dynamic, blending comedy with menace in key sequences. Grover's versatility shone in the 2024 heist comedy Blackout, directed by Devang Bhavsar and released on JioCinema, where he played the dual personas of Don Asgar and Bewdya, a flamboyant gangster with a penchant for Urdu poetry. His performance added layers of humor and intensity to the chaotic narrative centered on a night of escalating mishaps in Pune, earning praise for elevating the film's lighter moments. A significant reunion came in 2024 with The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix, where Grover rejoined host Kapil Sharma—resolving their past professional differences—portraying multiple characters including Dhafli and Engineer Chumbak Mittal across seasons. This collaboration revitalized his stand-up comedy roots, blending improvisation and celebrity impressions to global audiences via the streaming platform.[48] In 2025, Grover made a special appearance as Chacko Kurian, a cunning drug lord, in the Netflix crime drama series Dabba Cartel, created by Neeraj Pandey, which explores underground networks in Mumbai.[3] His brief but impactful role heightened the series' tension, showcasing his ability to infuse authority with subtle humor. Additionally, Grover featured in cameo appearances, such as mimicking Amitabh Bachchan on Kaun Banega Crorepati season 17, further highlighting his enduring appeal in television specials.[49] In early 2026, Grover's impression of Aamir Khan on The Great Indian Kapil Show went viral, receiving positive reception for his mimicry skills and trending on social media platforms.[50] These projects reflect Grover's evolving collaborations, from Bollywood blockbusters and OTT thrillers to international comedy formats, often emphasizing his multifaceted acting while occasionally venturing into endorsements like the 2025 Sprite campaign with Sharvari, broadening his commercial footprint.[51]Personal life
Marriage and family
Sunil Grover is married to Aarti Grover, an interior designer who prefers to stay out of the public eye.[52] The couple resides in a two-storey apartment in Mumbai, which Aarti personally designed, featuring hand-painted walls, Moroccan tiles in the kitchen, and a soundproof media room to accommodate Grover's creative pursuits.[53][54] They have one son, Mohan Grover, born in 2010.[55] The family leads a relatively private life in Mumbai, with Grover occasionally sharing glimpses of family moments on social media, such as celebrating Father's Day with Mohan or marking his son's school milestones.[56][57] Grover, who traces his roots to Haryana, has described his family as a source of grounding amid his demanding career.[55]Health challenges
In January 2022, Sunil Grover was admitted to Mumbai's Asian Heart Institute after experiencing chest pain, where tests revealed he had suffered a minor heart attack and was also COVID-19 positive.[58][59] An angiography subsequently showed blockages in all three major coronary arteries, with 100% occlusion in two of them.[60][61] Following the diagnosis, Grover underwent four bypass surgeries on January 27, 2022, utilizing both internal mammary arteries to restore blood flow.[58][62] He was discharged on February 3, 2022, after a smooth postoperative recovery period of seven days, during which he remained under close medical observation.[63][64] Grover's recovery extended over several months, marked by physical rehabilitation and mental challenges, including time spent in the ICU where he reflected on gratitude for basic abilities like walking independently.[65][66] He resumed professional commitments in March 2022, approximately two months post-surgery, while incorporating stricter diet, fitness routines, and health monitoring to manage his condition.[67][68] By 2024, Grover reported prioritizing health above all, crediting family support for aiding his emotional recovery during this phase.[69] In subsequent interviews, Grover has shared insights on heart health awareness, emphasizing the importance of recognizing symptoms like chest discomfort and the mental toll of recovery, while advising against waiting for a crisis to reassess life priorities.[70][71] He has highlighted living with a heart condition as an ongoing commitment to vigilance, without directly attributing his episode to industry stress but noting the broader need for work-life balance in demanding professions.[66] Prior to his breakthrough on The Kapil Sharma Show, Grover faced significant mental health challenges, including a hospitalization for depression, as revealed by co-actor Upasana Singh in November 2025 interviews. He reportedly struggled with no steady work and was nearly removed from the show early on due to his condition.[72][73] By late 2025, Grover had fully recovered from his 2022 health scare and returned to active work, including live comedy performances in Delhi in September 2025.[74][69]Filmography
Feature films
Sunil Grover made his film debut in a minor role in the 1998 romantic drama Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, with subsequent minor appearances before his more prominent supporting role in the 2013 action thriller Zila Ghaziabad, marking his transition from television comedy to cinema. Primarily known for comedic supporting roles, he has appeared in over a dozen films, often bringing humor to ensemble casts in Bollywood and Punjabi productions. His performances have ranged from lead roles in smaller films to memorable cameos in blockbusters, showcasing his versatility in comic timing and character acting. While most of his roles are supporting, he took on leads in films like Coffee with D (2017) and shared prominent billing in Vaisakhi List (2016).| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha | Totaram (minor) | Anees Bazmee | Romantic drama opposite Ajay Devgn and Kajol.[75] |
| 2002 | The Legend of Bhagat Singh | Jaidev Kapur (supporting) | Rajkumar Santoshi | Biographical drama on Indian revolutionary.[76] |
| 2011 | Mumbai Cutting | Chashmish (segment) | Various | Anthology film; appeared in one segment.[77] |
| 2013 | Zila Ghaziabad | Faqeera (supporting) | Anand Kumar | Minor role in the ensemble gangster drama; film faced production delays but released to mixed reviews.[78][79] |
| 2014 | Heropanti | Driver Devpal (supporting) | Sabbir Khan | Comic relief as the protagonist's driver in this action-romance debut vehicle for Tiger Shroff. |
| 2015 | Gabbar Is Back | Constable Sadhuram (supporting) | Krish | Humorous portrayal of a bumbling policeman opposite Akshay Kumar; contributed to the film's commercial success, grossing over ₹80 crore worldwide. |
| 2016 | Vaisakhi List | Tarsem Lal (lead) | Smeep Kang | Lead role as an escaped prisoner in this Punjabi comedy; film was a box office hit, earning ₹20 crore in India.[80] |
| 2016 | Baaghi | P. P. Khurrana (supporting) | Sabbir Khan | Supporting comic role in the action thriller starring Tiger Shroff and Shraddha Kapoor; praised for timing in fight sequences. |
| 2017 | Coffee with D | Arnab (lead) | Vishal Mishra | Starred as a journalist in this satirical comedy on media ethics; his lead performance was noted for sharp wit, though the film underperformed commercially.[81] |
| 2018 | Pataakha | Dipper Naradmuni (supporting) | Vishal Bhardwaj | Eccentric narrator role inspired by mythology; earned acclaim for blending humor with rural drama, with critics highlighting his "quirky energy." |
| 2019 | Bharat | Vilayti Khan (supporting) | Ali Abbas Zafar | Played Salman Khan's loyal friend across decades; role added emotional depth to the dramedy, which grossed ₹330 crore worldwide. |
| 2022 | Goodbye | Panditji (supporting) | Vikas Bahl | Comic yet poignant role as a modern priest in this family dramedy; his scenes with Amitabh Bachchan were appreciated for lightening the narrative.[82] |
| 2023 | Jawan | Irani (special appearance) | Atlee | Brief antagonistic comic role opposite Shah Rukh Khan; contributed to the film's blockbuster status, with worldwide gross exceeding ₹1,100 crore.[83] |
| 2024 | Blackout | Bewdya (supporting) | Devang Bhavsar | Portrayed a flamboyant gangster-poet in this heist comedy; performance lauded as a "show-stealer" in reviews, adding chaotic humor to the ensemble.[84] |
Television and web series
Sunil Grover began his notable television career with the silent comedy series Gutur Gu (2010–2014), where he portrayed the lead character Balu Kumar in 189 episodes, relying on physical humor and expressions without dialogue.[85] His breakthrough came with Comedy Nights with Kapil (2013–2016), a popular sketch comedy show on Colors TV, in which he played recurring characters such as the sassy Gutthi, the bumbling Dr. Mashoor Gulati, and Khairatilal across 138 episodes, earning widespread acclaim for his versatile impersonations.[86] During this period, Grover also appeared in Mad in India (2014), a comedy-variety show on Star Plus, embodying the childlike Chutki and the mischievous kid Sabjee in comedic skits.[87] Following a public feud with host Kapil Sharma that briefly impacted his TV presence, Grover joined The Kapil Sharma Show (2016–2017) on Sony Entertainment Television as a regular performer, reprising roles like Rinku Devi (50 episodes), Dr. Mashoor Gulati (79 episodes), and others including Suryaprakash and Janu Malik, before departing after the 2017 controversy.[88] Transitioning to web series, Grover starred as the eccentric murder suspect Sonu Singh in the black comedy Sunflower Season 1 (2021) on ZEE5, a role he reprised in Season 2 (2024), portraying the naive resident of a quirky Mumbai housing society amid a homicide investigation.[89] In 2021, he participated as a contestant in the reality comedy series LOL: Hasse Toh Phasse Season 1 on Amazon Prime Video, competing with other comedians in a challenge to avoid laughing for six hours while performing sketches.[90] Grover took on a dramatic turn as the ruthless fixer Gurpal in the political thriller Tandav (2021) on Amazon Prime Video, marking one of his early serious roles in a nine-episode narrative of power struggles in Indian politics.[91] He led the dramedy United Kacche (2023) on ZEE5 as dual characters Tango Gill and Manmohan Gill, an eight-episode story exploring the lives of Indian immigrants in London facing identity and community challenges.[92] In 2024, Grover reunited with Kapil Sharma as a regular cast member on The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix, reviving characters like Dr. Mashoor Gulati and introducing new ones in the talk-show format across multiple seasons.[48] In 2025, Grover made a special appearance as the drug lord Chacko Kurian in the Netflix crime drama series Dabba Cartel.[3]Voice and dubbing roles
Sunil Grover began his career in the entertainment industry with extensive voice-over work in radio, where he provided the voice for RJ Sud on Radio Mirchi, showcasing his comedic timing and modulation skills in various sketches and announcements.[24] His early radio contributions included creating humorous spots and sketches, which helped him gain recognition as a versatile voice artist before transitioning to television.[13] In addition to radio, Grover lent his voice to numerous advertisements and television commercials (TVCs), earning accolades for his expressive and adaptable performances in the advertising sector.[93] These voice-overs often featured his signature humor, making him a sought-after talent for promotional content across brands. Grover's dubbing roles primarily include contributions to animated films, with a notable involvement in the Hindi-dubbed version of the Disney animated feature Chicken Little (2005), where he provided additional voices, including for characters such as Ace.[94] This work highlighted his ability to infuse energy and comedy into animated narratives, marking one of his key forays into film dubbing. Up to 2025, no further major animated dubbing projects have been publicly credited to him in available records.Other contributions
Sunil Grover began his career in radio as a voice artist and host, notably providing the voice for RJ Sud on Radio Mirchi's popular comedy series Hansi Ke Phuware during the early 2000s. In this role, he portrayed the deadpan character Sudarshan Dhama, delivering humorous skits that became a staple of the station's programming and helped establish his comedic timing in audio formats. The show, which ran for several years into the 2010s, showcased Grover's ability to engage audiences through voice modulation and satire without visual elements.[24][22] Beyond radio, Grover has ventured into music as a singer and lyricist, releasing tracks that often tie into his comedic persona. In 2017, he sang and wrote the lyrics for "Mere Husband Mujhko Piyar Nahin Karte," a humorous single performed in the style of his character Rinku Bhabhi, which highlighted his vocal talents in a lighthearted, satirical context. He followed this with "Daaru Pee Ke Girna" the same year, a comedic track composed by Amit Trivedi that further blended his acting roots with musical performance. More recently, in 2024, Grover lent his vocals to "Waada Mummy Ka" from the series Sunflower Season 2, duetting with Shruti Pathak on a composition by Rohit Kulkarni, marking his continued exploration of singing in multimedia projects.[95][96][97] Grover also took on hosting and performative roles in television comedy formats outside traditional acting, such as co-hosting and leading sketches on Mad in India in 2014 alongside Manish Paul. In this desi comedy show, he revived characters like Chhutki while contributing to the overall scripting and comedic structure, demonstrating his involvement in content creation beyond scripted roles. These efforts underscore his multifaceted contributions to comedy across audio and variety programming.[33][98]Awards and recognition
Major awards
Sunil Grover has received several accolades for his comedic performances across television and digital platforms, with notable wins in both categories.Television Awards
- 2018 Indian Television Academy (ITA) Awards: Won Special Mention Comic Icon for his work on Comedy Nights with Kapil.[99]
- 2018 Brand Vision Summit Awards: Won Power Packed Performer of the Year for Coffee with D.[7]
- 2022 Indian Telly Streaming Awards: Won Fan Favorite Supporting Actor for his role in Tandav.[7]
Film and OTT Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Filmfare OTT Awards | Best Actor (Critics): Comedy | Sunflower[100] |
| 2022 | Bollywood Life Awards | Best Actor - Hindi Web Series | Sunflower[7] |
| 2023 | Lions Gold Awards | Impactful Role of the Year | Jawan[101] |
| 2023 | Talent Track Awards (Digital Movies & TV Series) | Best Actor in a Comic Role - Male | United Kacche[99] |
| 2024 | e4m Play Streaming Media Awards | Best Actor in a Comic Role | United Kacche[7] |