Rajiv Thakur's absence from the latest season of "The Great Indian Kapil Show" has stirred speculation among fans, especially given his established camaraderie with Kapil Sharma. The comedian, known for his impeccable timing and witty banter, recently addressed the rumors surrounding his absence.

In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Rajiv responded to the question of his absence with a touch of humor, stating, "Nobody takes rest in such a big show, obviously apko nikala gaya hoga," implying that he might have been removed from the show. However, he then clarified the real reason behind his absence, stating that it was due to scheduling conflicts. He explained that he had prior commitments and doesn't like breaking them.

Rajiv further elaborated on the show's format, pointing out that "The Great Indian Kapil Show" has a runtime of only 55 minutes, which needs to accommodate Kapil Sharma, Sunil Grover, and Krushna Abhishek's skits, as well as the guest segment. He felt that with such a packed schedule, there wouldn't be enough space for him to do justice to his character. He emphasized that if he couldn't contribute meaningfully, there was no point in being on the show.

Thakur was seen in the initial episodes of "The Great Indian Kapil Show"; however, he was absent from the recent episodes. His absence led to speculation and rumors, which he has now addressed.

Rajiv also reflected on an incident from his "Comedy Circus" days that he believes negatively impacted his image. He recounted working with child artist Saloni Daini and choosing to direct jokes at himself to protect her. One particular joke, "Main ek bacche ki salary pe jee raha hoon" (I am living on a child's salary), was taken literally by the audience, leading them to perceive him as boring or unsuccessful. He believes this perception has lingered and affected his career. Despite this, Rajiv has had a long and successful career in comedy, including 14 seasons of a comedy show over eight years.

Despite not being part of the current season, Rajiv's past contributions to "The Kapil Sharma Show" and his other comedic endeavors are well-recognized. His clarification regarding his absence from the show sheds light on the challenges of managing schedules and screen time in ensemble shows.