Ali Asgar, best known for his iconic ‘Dadi’ act on Comedy Nights with Kapil, recently shared an emotional reason behind stepping away from the role. Despite massive popularity, the character began to impact his personal life in unexpected ways.
In a candid conversation with Maniesh Paul, Ali on his podcast revealed that his children faced bullying in school due to his cross-dressing performances. Ali Asgar and his wife, Siddika Asgar, have two children: a son, Nuyaan Asgar, and a daughter, Ada Asgar.The revelation highlights about the unseen costs of fame and comedy.
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Beyond the personal toll, Ali also spoke about creative dissatisfaction, saying he felt stuck repeating the same type of roles, limiting his growth as an actor.
Fame comes at a cost
Ali admitted that what made him famous also became a source of distress. He recalled saying, “Deewar mein chote Bachchan saab ke haath mein likha tha, ‘Mera baap chor hain’. Mere bete ke haath mein na likha ho, ‘Mera baap aurat hain!’” referencing Deewaar and Amitabh Bachchan. The statement highlights a father’s concern over his child’s emotional well-being.
Stuck in a repetitive image
Ali shared his frustration with being repeatedly cast in female roles. “Sunney waalo ko ye lagega ki, ‘Ye paagal hain! Kyu chhod diya? Par uss waqt mujhe ho bhi yahi raha tha ki Saturday, Sunday Comedy Circus karte thhe toh usme do-do act hota tha. Dono act mein main female. Sunday mein bhi female… Toh kya ki waha ek image ho gaya tha, aur writers ko bhi easy tha ki ek ko female karana tha… main puchta bhi tha ki aaj kya karaoge toh woh bolte thhe ‘Aree wahi, jo aap karte ho!’” he said, pointing to how writers boxed him into a single image. This monotony made him feel creatively suffocated.
Prioritising growth over comfort
Though the role brought fame and financial stability, Ali emphasized his need for variety. “Main roz dal-chawal nahi khaunga. Mujhe aaj puri-bhaji bhi chahiye.” His analogy highlights his urge to take on varied roles and move beyond limiting stereotypes.
Trying to deal with creative limits
Ali Asgar shared how difficult it was to keep going when he didn’t have much control over the kind of roles he was getting. Even though he kept doing his best and people loved his work, he felt stuck at times. Reflecting on this he expresses,“Karne toh do! Nahi hua toh phir bolna! Phir wahi baat ho gayi ki ye meri rozi-roti bhi hain aur ye medium mere haath mein nahi hain, main hero thode na hoon. Flow mein karte gaye, and awards night hua tha, and jo bhi kiya brilliant tha”
It shows how he was trying to balance earning a living while also wanting to do something more meaningful and newer as an actor.
Ali Asgar’s exit from The Kapil Sharma Show in 2017, citing creative differences, now carries deeper meaning. His story is a reminder that behind laughter often lie personal struggles. Choosing growth over comfort, Ali stepped away not just for himself, but for his family’s dignity and his artistic evolution.
