The Great Indian Kapil Show returned for its third season with a riotous first episode, highlighted by two big moments — Salman Khan’s debut and Navjot Singh Sidhu’s comeback to the show. Joining him on the judges’ couch was Archana Puran Singh, setting the stage for classic Kapil-style humour.

Kapil Sharma opened the show by joking about the effort it took to bring Sidhu back, playfully telling the audience they "had to spend a lot" for his return. The banter then turned to Archana’s reaction to the news.

Kapil teased that Archana had been so nervous about Sidhu’s return, she even consulted an astrologer. “She said, ‘I can handle Rahu and Ketu, but what do I do about Sidhu?’” he joked, sending the audience into splits. Continuing the fun, Kapil claimed the astrologer she went to was none other than Akash Chopra — who apparently changed professions due to Sidhu’s non-stop cricket commentary.

Sidhu, unfazed, joined in the banter with his signature shayari and wit. He remarked that sharing the judge’s chair was no problem — “I do commentary with others during matches, I can do this too.” But Kapil added a punchline: “Yes, but during commentary you don’t let anyone else talk — not even Harbhajan Singh!”

The episode also saw Kapil blame Sidhu's return for the show’s six-month break. Sidhu responded cheekily: “It’s good it was just six months. What if it had taken nine?” Kapil volleyed back with a zinger: “During COVID I had my kids when the world was on pause. You? You had yours mid-match!”

The first episode was a nostalgic riot, bringing back Sidhu's loud laughs and poetic punchlines, balanced with Archana’s reactions and Kapil’s razor-sharp wit — a perfect recipe for the season ahead.