Well, the laughter riot is back! The Great Indian Kapil Show (TGIKS) will debut its third season on June 21, 2025, with double the excitement this time around. And it’s not just because of the celebrity guests but because of a comeback we have all been waiting for. Navjot Singh Sidhu is back to reclaim his seat, returning to the show after six long years, with Archana Puran Singh, who kept his seat warm during his absence.

But what the comedic show brings beyond familiar comedy, bizarre characters, and famous faces is the extreme salary gap between Sidhu and Archana, and the jaw-dropping fee that Kapil Sharma reportedly commands, which is grabbing the most attention this season.

Kapil Sharma is the core of the show; he is the show. Kapil Sharma continues to reign over the comedy space. Now that The Great Indian Kapil Show streams on Netflix, not only is Kapil a recognizable brand, but he is also a valuable brand.

According to industry sources, including OTT Play, the comedian is reportedly earning around Rs. 5 crore per episode. Though the show’s production team and Netflix haven’t officially confirmed this figure, it is widely believed to reflect his immense popularity, comic brilliance, and central role in the show’s success.

This amount makes Kapil Sharma one of the highest-paid TV personalities in India. From effortlessly hosting to improvising jokes and carrying the weight of the show on his shoulders, Kapil has cemented his legacy as the face of Indian comedy.

Sidhu’s return to TGIKS is both nostalgic and controversial. He was last seen on Kapil’s show in 2018 before being replaced due to the backlash following his remarks after the Pulwama attack. In 2019, Archana Puran Singh stepped in as his replacement and has remained on the show ever since.

Now, after a six-year hiatus, Sidhu returns as a co-judge, and his comeback is not just emotional. It is also financially significant.

As per multiple entertainment portals like Siasat and Filmibeat, Navjot Singh Sidhu is now reportedly charging between Rs. 30 lakh and Rs. 40 lakh per episode. That’s a massive jump from the Rs. 25 lakh he used to earn earlier and is almost three times what Archana currently makes.

While the decision to bring Sidhu back may have split public opinion, there’s no denying the buzz his return has created. His laugh, shayari, and banter with Kapil were always crowd favorites. His grand dhol entry in the season 3 teaser has already gone viral.

Since 2019, Archana Puran Singh has been a constant presence on Kapil’s show. Despite the endless jokes about her “being paid to laugh,” Archana has shown grace and resilience, embracing her role as both a performer and a sport.

According to reports by Siasat, Archana earns around Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh per episode, a figure that may seem modest compared to Sidhu and Kapil but still marks her as one of the highest-paid female personalities in Indian television.

In a recent interview with The Indian Express, Archana responded to jokes and online trolling, saying,

“Yes, I am paid to judge a comedy show, which is what I initially started doing with Comedy Circus. Now, I am paid not to judge Kapil’s show but to be a celebrity guest. I don’t even know what my role is. Kapil only keeps joking. How am I paid to laugh? In a way, I am paid to enjoy the show, and because my enjoyment is very loud and spontaneous, it translates to “I am paid to laugh.”

Her candid admission not only silenced trolls but also highlighted how her spontaneous laughter has become a key part of the show’s vibe.

While all eyes are on Kapil, Sidhu, and Archana, The Great Indian Kapil Show wouldn’t be the same without its stellar supporting cast. Sunil Grover, who has returned after a long break, is reportedly earning around Rs. 25 lakh per episode. His chemistry with Kapil and beloved characters like Gutthi and Dr. Mashoor Gulati are expected to bring back classic comedy magic.

Other key performers, such as Kiku Sharda and Krushna Abhishek, are also earning handsome sums. For example, Kiku is thought to earn approximately Rs. 7 lakh per episode, increasing the energy of the show as a team.

The very first episode has the biggest star of the year, Salman Khan, so the launch couldn’t be any better. An image of him went viral on social media, clearly making the audiences enthusiastic, while the promo has accrued millions of views on social media.

With Kapil Sharma in peak form, Sidhu’s click and energy are back, and Archana Puran Singh is holding down the fort; TGIKS season 3 seems to be setting up to be a blockbuster. Every Saturday, we can anticipate an episode at 8 PM on Netflix and fill our homes with joy, laughter, and just enough drama.