Was starting to get that image: Ali Asgar on quitting Dadi act in Kapil Sharma show
Ali Asgar said he quit playing Dadi on The Kapil Sharma Show as he was starting to get offers only to play female roles. He added that he wanted to move beyond typecasting and grow as an actor.
Actor Ali Asgar revealed that he stepped away from his popular Dadi act on The Kapil Sharma Show as he felt he was “starting to get that image” and being limited to similar roles. While the character brought him immense fame, Ali shared that he wanted to break free from typecasting and explore more as an actor.
In a conversation with Maniesh Paul on his YouTube channel, Ali looked back at a phase in his career when he was almost exclusively cast in drag roles.
He said, "Those who are watching this might say, ‘Is he mad? Why did he leave it?' But at that time, Comedy Circus would air on Saturday and Sunday, and in both acts, I would be playing a female character. So I was starting to get that image." He added that, for the writers of the show, such typecasting was convenient as they just needed to keep on writing female characters for him.
Despite the popularity of these performances, Ali admitted he felt creatively limited and wanted to do more as an actor. He shared that he would often request opportunities to try different roles.
"Sometimes, you feel bad and think that this is not all that I want to do. I want to do more. I would say, 'Give me a chance. Let me try, at least. If it doesn't land, then tell me'," he added.
Yet, there were practical considerations because of which he accepted such roles, including financial responsibilities and the fear of losing work.
He explained that he continued doing such roles because he needed work, as it was his livelihood. He added that there was always the risk of being replaced, and he kept going with the flow without realising it for a long time.
Maniesh Paul asked if Ali Asgar’s huge popularity in such roles eventually backfired, leading to his children being bullied because of his portrayal of female characters.
Asgar replied with a laugh, “Deewar mein chote Bachchan saab ke haath mein likha tha, ‘Mera baap chor hai’. Mere bete ke haath mein nahin likha tha, ‘Mera baap aurat hai (In Deewaar, Amitabh Bachchan’s junior self has ‘My father is a thief’ written on his hand, no one wrote on my son’s hand, ‘My father is a woman)!’”
Ali is married to Siddika Asgar, and the couple has two children – son Nuyaan Asgar and daughter Ada Asgar.
The actor exited The Kapil Sharma Show in 2017, citing creative differences at the time.
Over the years, he has built a diverse body of work, featuring in television shows like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and films such as Partner, Tees Maar Khan, Judwaa 2, and Shehzada.
Actor Ali Asgar revealed that he stepped away from his popular Dadi act on The Kapil Sharma Show as he felt he was “starting to get that image” and being limited to similar roles. While the character brought him immense fame, Ali shared that he wanted to break free from typecasting and explore more as an actor.
In a conversation with Maniesh Paul on his YouTube channel, Ali looked back at a phase in his career when he was almost exclusively cast in drag roles.
He said, "Those who are watching this might say, ‘Is he mad? Why did he leave it?' But at that time, Comedy Circus would air on Saturday and Sunday, and in both acts, I would be playing a female character. So I was starting to get that image." He added that, for the writers of the show, such typecasting was convenient as they just needed to keep on writing female characters for him.
Despite the popularity of these performances, Ali admitted he felt creatively limited and wanted to do more as an actor. He shared that he would often request opportunities to try different roles.
"Sometimes, you feel bad and think that this is not all that I want to do. I want to do more. I would say, 'Give me a chance. Let me try, at least. If it doesn't land, then tell me'," he added.
Yet, there were practical considerations because of which he accepted such roles, including financial responsibilities and the fear of losing work.
He explained that he continued doing such roles because he needed work, as it was his livelihood. He added that there was always the risk of being replaced, and he kept going with the flow without realising it for a long time.
Maniesh Paul asked if Ali Asgar’s huge popularity in such roles eventually backfired, leading to his children being bullied because of his portrayal of female characters.
Asgar replied with a laugh, “Deewar mein chote Bachchan saab ke haath mein likha tha, ‘Mera baap chor hai’. Mere bete ke haath mein nahin likha tha, ‘Mera baap aurat hai (In Deewaar, Amitabh Bachchan’s junior self has ‘My father is a thief’ written on his hand, no one wrote on my son’s hand, ‘My father is a woman)!’”
Ali is married to Siddika Asgar, and the couple has two children – son Nuyaan Asgar and daughter Ada Asgar.
The actor exited The Kapil Sharma Show in 2017, citing creative differences at the time.
Over the years, he has built a diverse body of work, featuring in television shows like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii and films such as Partner, Tees Maar Khan, Judwaa 2, and Shehzada.
