MUMBAI: The funster and stand up comedian Kapil Sharma is all set to come back to the small screen with the much awaited The Kapil Sharma Show on Sony Entertainment Television. In fact, the speculations about Sharma and his show with Sony Entertainment Television ended when SET on 1 March announced the launch of the show. Despite the cricket fever being high this month due to IPL, there is confidence that Kapil’s show will be welcomed by all.
The Kapil Sharma Show will go on air at a time when Sony’s biggest asset IPL will be at its peak but the response to the promo of Shah Rukh Khan coming in the first episode shows Kapil’s fans will find time to watch it. Co-produced by Kapil Sharma’s own K9 Productions and Frames, the show is all set to commence from 23 April on Saturdays and Sundays at 9.00 pm.
The channel has roped in Lava Mobile as the presenting sponsor while Ching’s Secret and Datsun have been roped in as co-power sponsors. Indiantelevision.com learns that the deal has been signed for the presenting sponsorship at between Rs 8 to 9 crore. A source informed Indiantelevision.com, “For a 10 sec ad slot the channel is charging Rs 2 lakh for The Kapil Sharma Show.”
Industry estimates the production cost for the first episode as close to Rs 1 crore because it has Shahrukh Khan and also it will be live event shot in New Delhi.
Another source further informed that the production cost of each episode of The Kapil Sharma Show will come down to between Rs 50- 55 lakhs excluding the talent cost. It may be recalled that production cost for Comedy Nights With Kapil was approximately Rs 1.3 crore per episode.
The promo was launched on 4 April and the video on YouTube crossed more than 5 lakh views in one week. In second episode, The Kapil Sharma show will entertain the audience with the star cast of Baaghi, Sharddha Kapoor and Tiger Shroff on 24 April.
Earlier while speaking with Indiantelevision.com, Sony EVP and business head Danish Khan said, "IPL is a great success and is very popular. But we believe The Kapil Sharma Show will have a totally different set of audience and both will have high viewership. IPL and The Kapil Sharma Show can both run successfully at the same time. IPL is a big advantage for us, we will use it to promote and generate more awareness.”
“The show will be good, as I always say people watch content not the channel. Kapil himself is a brand name and the star is in himself. His loyal audience will watch the show despite it being an IPL month. It is like a cricket match, and people watch matches on whichever channel that shows it,“ said a senior media planner.
Concurring, another media expert said, “Kapil is a star and has a good fan following, the show will definitely get traction from people. I do not think that shows on other channels or IPL will impact Sony’s upcoming show. ”
The Kapil Sharma Show on the opening day has been pitched against Colors world premiere television of Bajirao Mastani, Star Plus’ Diya Aur Baati Hum at 9pm and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai at 9.30 pm, along with Life OK’s Super Cops Vs Supervillains.. Shapath, Sab TV’s Tarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma, Zee TV’s Kumkum Bhagya on Saturdays and SaReGaMaPa at 9.30 pm slot and &TV’s So You Think You Can Dance which will go on air from 24 April.
