Season 3 of The Great Indian Kapil Show premiered in June 2025 on Netflix, with familiar faces such as Kapil Sharma, Krushna Abhishek, Kiku Sharda, and Sunil Grover returning—with Rajiv Thakur noticeably absent Wikipedia+11Outlook India+11India Today+11.
️ What Rajiv Thakur said
In a candid conversation with Pinkvilla, Rajiv addressed swirling rumors:
“Itne bade show se koi rest nahi leta, obviously aapko nikala gaya hoga.”
(“No one takes such a long break from a big show—in other words, you must have been removed.”)—he joked, then quickly added, “Just kidding.” Instagram+8Outlook India+8Hindustan Times+8NewsfeedBites | devafrika | hoopladigitall | Sportdynasti | wheeloffortuneonline.co
He clarified that scheduling conflicts were at the root of his absence. Though he performed one episode, he couldn’t commit to more due to pre-existing engagements—and once committed, he prefers to follow through Mid-day+2Outlook India+2India Today+2. Rajiv also noted that with the show squeezed into a 55-minute runtime and heavy reliance on core performers plus guest stars, there simply wasn’t enough space left for him to feature meaningfully Zee News+5Outlook India+5Mid-day+5.
✨ Reflecting on his earlier career
Rajiv also shared how past self-deprecating humor affected his image. During his stint on Comedy Circus, he allowed a child co-contestant to mock him—donating lines like “I’m making a living on a kid’s salary”—which, though funny on screen, led some viewers to perceive him as “boring”—a reputation he says hurt his career despite his long run on television The Indian Express.
️ What’s next for Rajiv Thakur
He’s currently prepping for his stand‑up tour Gen Z Aur 90s Waale, which kicks off on August 8 in Gurgaon, followed by stops in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Lucknow, and wraps up on September 28 in Kanpur India Today+3Outlook India+3Hindustan Times+3.
Summary Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Absence Cause | Literal: Scheduling conflicts and insufficient screen space; not a personal decision. |
| His Reaction | Made light of removal rumors, then clarified actual reasons. |
| Show Format | Episode runtime limited to 55 minutes with tight slot allocation. |
| Reflection | Past self-deprecating comedy led to accidental negative public perception. |
| Upcoming Tour | Stand‑up tour Gen Z Aur 90s Waale starts August, through September. |
In short: Rajiv Thakur’s absence from The Great Indian Kapil Show wasn’t due to conflict or exclusion—but a mix of prior commitments, tight scheduling, and limited screen-time space. He clarified it himself—half in jest, half in earnest—and continues to keep audiences entertained via his stand-up tour.
Let me know if you’d like more about his earlier television work or setlist for the upcoming tour!
