Archana Puran Singh reveals she once offended her co-judges: ‘They said I was bringing down their dignity...’

For nearly five years, Archana Puran Singh has been a regular presence on Kapil Sharma’s comedy show, making her an inseparable part of its identity. Long before this association, she served as a judge on Comedy Circus, a program that played a pivotal role in transforming India’s comedy landscape. It was this platform that propelled the careers of Kapil Sharma, Bharti Singh, Sudesh Lehri, Rajiv Thakur, Krushna Abhishek, and many more, turning them into household names.

The panel of judges on the show frequently changed, with personalities like Sohail Khan, Rohit Shetty, and Shekhar Suman taking turns. However, one constant figure throughout the run remained Archana Puran Singh.

Memories from Comedy Circus

In a candid conversation on Bharti Singh’s YouTube channel Bharti TV, Archana looked back at those days and revealed some behind-the-scenes dynamics. She explained that many of her fellow judges disliked being the subject of jokes. They would often question her laughter, insisting that such reactions could undermine the respect or dignity associated with their role as judges.


"She said, “My co-judges used to get all disappointed when I used to laugh at jokes made on them. They used to be like, ‘Archana why do you laugh at jokes made on us? Judges ki garima kam hojayegi (This brings down judge’s dignity.) I had no clue what the word “garima” meant; I had to look for it in dictionary," she reminisced.

Different Reactions from Co-Judges

Archana recalled how filmmaker Rohit Shetty occasionally laughed along when comedians targeted him, while Shekhar Suman preferred to remain silent. This contrast in attitudes often highlighted how differently people perceived humor directed at themselves.

Her Own Approach to Humor

The actress clarified that she has never been offended by Kapil Sharma’s jokes at her expense. According to her, the laughter audiences see is never staged or exaggerated. She genuinely enjoys the humor, and her reactions are heartfelt rather than rehearsed.

Encouraging Comedians to Grow

Archana also reflected on how her openness became a learning experience for aspiring comics. She revealed that comedians initially hesitated when delivering punchlines at her, fearing they might cross a line. But once they noticed her laughing wholeheartedly, their confidence grew, and their timing improved. She noted that while other judges often took offense, she preferred to embrace humor, ultimately helping comedians sharpen their craft.