From living his life in ‘gareebi’ to saying his father’s struggle began after his birth; The Great Indian Kapil Show’s Rajiv Thakur on his poverty-filled childhood

Rajiv Thakur’s journey from an impoverished childhood to the comedy stage is nothing short of inspiring. Visiting Archana Puran Singh’s home, he candidly shared his early struggles, recounting tales of financial hardship and resilience. His humorous take on life’s difficulties resonated with everyone present, offering an insightful yet entertaining perspective on overcoming adversity through laughter and perseverance.

"Bachpan bahut gareebi me nikala. You have seen those 70s films, that was my life. My dad got thrown out of his house after marriage. It was an arranged marriage, but he was ousted." Rajiv reminisced about his early years, sharing how his family’s struggles shaped his resilience and comedic approach to life.

"We suddenly shifted to one room. In that, it was our bedroom, bathroom, drawing room. We lived there." The comedian recalled the challenging days of growing up in a cramped space, highlighting how those experiences gave him a unique perspective on life and humor.

"My father’s struggle began after my birth. The day I was born, it rained continuously for 7 days. It was in Amritsar and I was born on Saturday. Hamara karkhana tha dhaage ka, all the machines burnt." Rajiv shared how his birth coincided with a stroke of bad luck that tested his family’s resilience.

"At that time, I used to feel sad but not anymore. Now, I take it as a joke. Imagine it rained for 7 days. I have two sisters aur saari balaye maine le li. Bhagwan ne paida aisa kiya hai, jahan bhi jayega kuch toh dhamaaka karega." His ability to turn hardship into humor has been a defining trait.

"I am lucky for others. You see, Kapil mera dost hai." Parmeet Sethi, touched by Rajiv’s sincerity, hugged him and said, "You are also my best friend." This moment highlighted Rajiv’s belief that despite his tough beginnings, he has always been a lucky charm for those around him.

"The makers saw me dance in Kapil Sharma Show, the wind-up party. I asked them when did you see me dance? I said ‘pi rakhi thi’. They were like, ‘you don’t drink’. I told them, ‘not me, you were drunk’." Rajiv humorously explained how he landed on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa by sheer coincidence.

"My dad used to hit me with a belt. Maine jo maar khayi hai bachpan me." Archana Puran Singh added, "Meri bhi kaafi pitayi hui hai bachpan me." This candid confession revealed the strict upbringing he faced, yet it shaped his strength and determination.