MUMBAI, MARCH 24, 2026 — In an industry where top comedians are increasingly citing burnout and stepping back from the limelight, veteran actor and mimicry artist Sunil Grover is taking the opposite track. Following recent news of fellow comedian Zakir Khan taking a hiatus due to work pressure, Grover insists he isn’t feeling the strain—in fact, he’s hungry for more.
The actor, currently receiving widespread acclaim for his uncanny mimicry of legends like Aamir Khan and Kader Khan, spoke candidly about the “medicine” of comedy and his refusal to slow down.
The Healing Power of Laughter
Grover, who has spent decades in the spotlight, described comedy as one of the most difficult genres to master, but also the most rewarding.
“Comedy is not easy to do… But when our work becomes a medicine, it feels great,” Grover told reporter Akash Bhatnagar. “So many people come up and say they got out of depression due to our work, or that a doctor recommended our show.”
Pressure vs. Pace
Addressing the rising trend of “comedic burnout” in the industry, Grover offered a different perspective on the pressures of fame:
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The “Slow” Strategy: “Slow and steady is fine, but I feel I am already slow enough,” he quipped. “I don’t want to go slower. Rather, I need to gather more pace.“
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The Value of Work: Having experienced long periods of being “empty” (without work) in his early career, Grover noted that he knows the true cost of idleness. “The day I don’t have this [work], that’s when I’ll have a problem.“
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The Only Real Pressure: For Grover, the only stress comes not from the workload, but from the fear of losing the audience’s love.
A “Keen Eye for Beauty”
The actor also reacted to recent high praise from veteran actress Neena Gupta, who suggested Grover deserves more diverse roles across genres and even complimented his looks.
“I completely trust her,” Grover joked. “I realize she has a keen eye for beauty.” The endorsement from Gupta follows a trend of Grover being cast in more “serious” or layered roles, moving him beyond the traditional sketch-comedy boundaries he was originally known for.
What’s Next for Sunil Grover?
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Mimicry Projects: Continuing his viral run of celebrity impressions.
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Genre Expansion: Following Gupta’s advice, Grover is reportedly looking at scripts that lean into drama and thrillers for late 2026.
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The Pace: Expect more frequent appearances as he moves to “gather more pace” in his career.
