This is the a rags to riches story that is full of ups and downs but also stands as testament of inspiration. This comedian has acted in Punjabi films, worked in factories, never went to school, sold chai and today the fame knows no bounds.
Making people laugh is one of the toughest jobs. To have that perfect sense of comic timing. To be able to roast but maintain the respect, not everyone has that ingenious presence of mind. This is a rags to riches story that is not only moving, but inspiring as well. Why the never-say-die attitude is important in life, this story is a living testament for that.
Life was never easy for this versatile comedian. From working in factories, to selling tea, kulfi etc, the comedian has overcome a lot. Their marriage story is one that today they reminisce gleefully but had passed the test of time. The roller coaster was overwhelming, but what the comedian does today will take you by surprise.
A comedian, an actor who never went to school, worked in factories and more.
This is the story of one of India’s finest comedians who makes sure his audience for the day have a hearty laugh. This versatile comedian is none other than Sudesh Lehri. He first became famous amongst mainstream audience with his amazing performance in The Great Indian Laughter Challenge III that aired in 2007. He secured the third position after Kapil Sharma and Chandan Prabhakar. Thereon, it has always been upwards and onwards for Lehri. He then played the show Comedy Circus as a contestant partnering with Krushna Abhishek. Together, they won three seasons and quickly garnered popularity as “Krushna-Sudesh”. He did several comedy shows including The Kapil Sharma Show.
But reeling back, Sudesh invested every bead of sweat to earn this fame. In his older interviews he revealed how he used to sell tea, vegetables, kulfis and had to do several odd jobs to earn a living. In a podcast with Maniesh Paul, he recalled, “There was no opportunity to study. I would do small odd jobs since my childhood. I have worked in factories, at tea stalls. I used to make tea but mere ghar pe chai nahi banti thi. So, when I would make tea, carry 5-6 cups in one hand and carry kettle in another hand, and walk barefoot to the factory to give tea, I would sneak around in a corner, have a cup of tea myself, wash the glass and then go. This was our condition. I have worked in sweet shops, slippers factory. I have sold kulfi, vegetables as well. That actually was a practical workshop for me as an actor. While selling kulfi, vegetables…we had to act. I have never been to school. I do miss it.”
He also used to work in the gold business with his father and managed to earn around Rs 100-200 a day.
If you are a true fan or have followed his work for a while, then you would know that Sudesh Lehri is not just a comedian, but he is also a great singer. He once shared that he used to work in an orchestra band as well and earned around Rs 1000 for a show as a singer.
In an interview, Sudesh revealed that he and his family were under financial stress, And in order to bring home a morsel of bread everyday to home, he had to once trade off his award for Rs 300.
The fame that got no money
After his stints with comedy shows, Lehri got the fame, but there was no money entailing it. Reportedly, he had to sell his house, scooter for survival. His cassette were a hit but rendered him penniless always. But after his undeterred spirit, he managed to get released by T-series.
Sudesh Lehri had worked in several Punjabi films. One day he was spotted by one of the makers of the laughter challenge, and the rest is history.
Lehri made his Tamil debut in 2007 with the film Wagah, in which he co-starred with Vikram Prabhu and Ranya Rao. Later on, Sudesh Lehri featured in Bollywood films like Readdy, Total Dhamaal, starring along side Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit and several other big names in the industry.
A ‘hate marriage’ that bloomed despite struggles
In an interview with Bharti Singh, Lehri talked about his ‘hate marriage’ with his wife Mamata.
The story goes, how a 17 year old Sudesh married a 15 year old Mamta because he was in a hurry. “I still remember it was Sunday when I told them I would marry right now or I won’t marry. So my family called her from her cousin’s wedding, took us to the temple and got us married. No band baja, no planning, nothing a simple wedding at 10 am in the temple and by 12 pm we were at home,” Lehri recalled.
Sudesh lauded his wife, “Jokes aside but if Billo wasn’t there in my life as my wife then I wouldn’t have become anything. She has been my biggest support.”
Today, Sudesh Lehri has become a household name. Currently, he is part of the TV show ‘Laughter Chefs’ which has been renewed for more season owning to the success of the show.
