Surbhi Jyoti, one of television’s most loved faces, recently looked back at her early years before fame found her. She opened up about her growing-up years in Chandigarh, where her love for acting first took shape. What made her memories even more special was a surprising connection to two popular names in Indian entertainment, Kapil Sharma and Bharti Singh.
Recalling those days, Surbhi painted a warm picture of university life filled with theatre rehearsals, skits, and performances. She shared how, in those years, Kapil Sharma had already made a mark on campus. Though he had passed out by then, he would often return to the university to guide students in theatre. Surbhi revealed that because he was a senior, everyone addressed him respectfully. Though the age difference wasn’t much, they would still call him ‘sir’.
Kapil, deeply connected to theatre himself, loved mentoring younger students. Surbhi fondly remembered those acting lessons. She spoke about how he would teach them skits and plays, often bringing his own flavor of humor into practice sessions. She said, “He is one of the most funniest guys I know. He is so funny.”
One particular memory stayed with her. She remembered how Kapil had a habit of cracking jokes in between rehearsals, lightening the mood, and then suddenly announcing it was time to get serious again. She recalled, “Maine unse daant khaayi hai because practice mai voh joke crack karte the aur fir bolte the ‘chalo chalo start karo theatre.’ Aur mai ab bhi unke jokes par hass rahi hu, and then voh muje bohot gussa bhi karte the, but that’s how funny he is.”
Those acting sessions weren’t just about drama and discipline. They were also where important life connections were made. Surbhi disclosed that it was during this very period that Kapil met Ginni Chatrath. Ginni, who also did theatre, happened to be in the same college as Surbhi. The two girls knew each other well, often rehearsing together. Surbhi believed that it was somewhere between those campus rehearsals that Kapil and Ginni’s friendship began.
Adding another interesting detail, Surbhi shared that Bharti Singh, another popular comedian, was also part of the same university circle. While Kapil and Bharti hailed from Amritsar, Surbhi and Ginni were from the same Chandigarh college. The creative environment, loaded with energetic young talent, brought them all together.
When asked whether she still keeps in touch with them, Surbhi admitted she isn’t very active socially. She tends to stay away from the social scene but mentioned that she still speaks to everyone once in a while. The bond, though not regularly nurtured, remains intact.
From those carefree theatre days to the glittering world of television, the actress has come a long way, carrying those fond memories as a reminder of where it all began.
