After the Indian film industry, Indian television has become a major platform for fame and fortune. But when it comes to wealth, the top position doesn’t belong to a conventional film actor—it belongs to a comedian who once dreamed of becoming a singer. With a humble beginning earning just ₹500 a month, Kapil Sharma has climbed the ladder of success to become the richest comedian on Indian television, now commanding up to ₹5 crore per episode and holding a reported net worth of ₹300 crore.
Born as Kapil Punj in Punjab, Sharma lost his father to cancer in 1997 and became the sole breadwinner of his family. He reportedly worked at a PCO and later in a textile mill, earning ₹500 and ₹900 per month, respectively. His turning point came when he auditioned for The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. Initially rejected, he was later selected and went on to win the show, using the ₹10 lakh prize money to fund his sister’s wedding.
His rise continued with wins on Comedy Circus and hosting stints on various shows. In 2013, he launched Comedy Nights with Kapil, followed by The Kapil Sharma Show in 2016. These shows transformed him into a household name across India.
Most recently, Kapil returned to the screen with The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix, reportedly earning ₹5 crore per episode. With 13 episodes per season across three seasons, the comedian has earned nearly ₹200 crore from the show alone.
He currently lives in a luxurious ₹15 crore apartment in Mumbai’s Andheri with his wife Ginni and their two children. Sharma also made headlines for being among India’s highest tax payers in FY24, reportedly paying ₹26 crore in taxes.
Kapil Sharma is now wealthier than many Bollywood stars, including Abhishek Bachchan, Ranveer Singh. He is also richer than Prabhas and Ajith Kumar, proving that talent, perseverance, and timing can create an empire—starting from just ₹500 a month.