Simaran Kaur on why comedy films today lack the charm of the classics: We are confusing loudness with laughter

Time of India

20-06-2025

, a versatile Indian actress and acclaimed voice artist, is widely known for her breakthrough role in Agnifera and as the Hindi voice of Nobita in Doraemon. She currently stars as Riddhi Chotwani in the popular TV drama Jamai No.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
1. Beyond her current show, Simaran has a notable portfolio of past roles—including Agnifera, Tose Naina Milaai Ke, and Aggar Tum Na Hote—and has often wowed audiences with her grounded screen presence. Off screen, Simaran is someone who believes in meaningful cinema and shares her thoughts about the changing landscape of comedy in Indian films, offering a nostalgic yet insightful perspective.
In an exclusive conversation, Simaran shared that while comedy continues to be a loved genre, its soul has somewhere gotten lost in translation over the years.
'I personally feel comedy films have lost a bit of their charm in recent years. Earlier, comedy had a warmth to it—it came from characters, situations, and genuine writing. Today, it's often reduced to loud punchlines and unnecessary chaos.'
She fondly recalls the era of classic Indian comedy, citing legends like Mehmood, Kader Khan, and Govinda, who built a legacy based on wit and heart.
'There was a simplicity to the comedy films of the '80s, '90s, and even the early 2000s.
Take a film like Chupke Chupke or Hera Pheri—they didn't need vulgarity or exaggerated acting to make us laugh. The humour was clean, situational, and relatable. That's why those films are still rewatchable today,' she says.
When asked if filmmakers are struggling to keep up with the audience's evolving preferences, Simaran responds thoughtfully:
'I wouldn't say filmmakers are falling short, but I do think there's a rush to please everyone.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
And in that rush, sometimes the story and soul of comedy are sidelined. Comedy is not just about delivering laughs—it's about creating characters and situations that stay with you.'
Touching upon the current trend of slapstick and over-the-top gags, Simaran expresses concern:
'There's definitely an overuse of slapstick and forced humour today. Not all of it works. In fact, too much of it becomes jarring. Humour should flow naturally.
When it's inserted just to fill the gaps, it loses its charm. We're confusing loudness with laughter, and that's a dangerous path to take.'
However, she also acknowledges that humour, like everything else in cinema, is evolving.
'Audiences have evolved, yes. But that doesn't mean they've become less intelligent. They still love smart comedy—they just want it in new packaging. Look at some of the recent OTT content that's doing well—people are still laughing, but it's through sharp writing and modern-day irony.
That proves that the audience hasn't changed as much as we think—we just need to stop underestimating them.'
For someone like Simaran, who enjoys performing in light-hearted and humorous roles, this shift in tone is both a challenge and a motivation.
'As an actor, I crave well-written comic roles. It's easy to make someone cry on screen, but to make someone laugh with dignity and substance—that's the real test. I hope more writers and directors bring back that timeless touch to comedy. We need to stop relying solely on volume and start trusting the intelligence of our viewers again.'
Simaran Kaur gives a walkthrough of her lavish and aesthetic adobe; reveals her 'prized possession'