From appreciation to arrest: Kiku Sharda pays for being funny?

TV actor and comedian Kiku Sharda, arrested on Wednesday for mimicking controversial religious leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, became a household name in recent years with hilarious performances on the TV show, Comedy Nights with Kapil.

TV actor and comedian Kiku Sharda, arrested on Wednesday for mimicking controversial religious leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, became a household name in recent years with hilarious performances on the TV show, Comedy Nights with Kapil.

Kiku Sharda as Palak on Comedy Nights with Kapil.(Colors)

Best known for his performance as Palak on the popular comedy, Kiku started his journey in the tinsel town with a small role in the 2001 movie Qasma. Three years later, he made his small screen debut with the TV serial, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa.

Read: Kiku Sharda arrested

But it was not until 2005 that Kiku gained nationwide popularity with his first comedy stint on the Great Indian Laughter Challenge, where he was one of the main attractions for two years. He then moved on to the famous series FIR, where he played a sidekick to lead actor Kavita Kaushik.

In the next few years, Sharda appeared in several comedy shows including Kahaani Comedy Circus Ki and Comedy Circus Ke Ajoobe before striking gold with Comedy Nights With Kapil in 2013.

Read: Free Kiku Sharda, say actors

The 40-year-old actor has essayed several characters on the long-running show but Palak is the most popular. He also participated in the reality dance show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, in 2014.

Watch: Kiku Sharda in FIR

Some his most famous onscreen characters are Constable Gulgule from FIR and Palak in Kapil Sharma’s comedy show.

Watch Kiku as Palak

Sharda has also appeared in several Bollywood films including Phir Hera Pheri, Dhamaal, No Smoking, Race, Dasvidaniya and Happy New Year.