 |
"Age is just a punchline—it's never too late to take the stage and own it!" – Rajesh Hinduja |
Q 1. What inspired you to dive into the world of comedy just four years ago, and how has the journey been so far?
Ans. I have actually been doing comedy for about 10 years now but took it up full time around 4 years back. I took it up because I have always been fond of humor and laughter. Sometimes even while writing my exam answers, at the risk of losing a few marks, I would write a funny answer rather than the right answer and I still don't regret the punishment. Its hard work travelling for hours just to do 5 minutes of comedy at open mics to test your material, but that's what it takes. And when you fix up a show, do the marketing, prepare your material and on the day of the show the turnout is poor it is a bit of a let down. but on the other hand there have been sold out shows and your material gets laughter and applause breaks, you feel its all worth it and there is nothing else you would rather do.,
Q 2. Many people shy away from pursuing new passions later in life. What challenges did you face as a late entrant into the stand-up comedy scene, and how did you overcome them?
Ans. I did enter the stand up comedy scene around 10 years back and was easily the oldest comedian around, but that just made it more interesting !! There were no special privileges because of my age nor did I ever ask anybody for anything. I produced my own shows, gave stage time and profit share to others and ran a few venues quite fairly and honestly till Covid happened.
In the beginning some people just assumed that someone my age could not and should not be doing stand up comedy and that people my age should be going to Temples and singing bhajans but at that time I was also fit enough and did run marathons which many of the so called young guys could not.
Also stand up comedy is not anyone's private monopoly where I need permission to enter. And when I started getting laughs on stage some attitudes started changing. No matter what other people thought, I did what I thought had to be done and ignored the back-biting and gossiping and opinions some comics thought they are entitled to. A little bit of faith in yourself helps I guess.
Q3. Breakout Comedy has become a platform for producing shows across the country. What motivated you to create this venture, and how do you see it shaping the comedy landscape in India?
Ans. I started Breakout Comedy as a venture to produce comedy shows for other comedians and myself across cities so that we create more opportunities then what was available at that time. I booked venues, created posters and covered all other expenses at my risk. If there were profits, then I would share a fixed part with the others on the line up.
Q3. Breakout Comedy has become a platform for producing shows across the country. What motivated you to create this venture, and how do you see it shaping the comedy landscape in India?
Ans. I started Breakout Comedy as a venture to produce comedy shows for other comedians and myself across cities so that we create more opportunities then what was available at that time. I booked venues, created posters and covered all other expenses at my risk. If there were profits, then I would share a fixed part with the others on the line up.
To be honest, if the show did not make a profit, no comedian ever asked for money no matter what their standing. Also many times we gave upcoming comedians a spot on the line up to help them build up confidence to perform in front of audience who paid money to watch comedy.
Q4. As someone who performs for varied audiences—from corporate shows to private gatherings—how do you tailor your comedy to connect with such diverse groups?
Ans. Over the years we keep testing every new thought and new material at open mics and as comedians we have thoughts on everything under the Sun and Moon !! We are a pretty opinioned community !! When it is time to do a show for corporates etc. we select what jokes would probably work and what will not. Also at private shows we always check and make sure we use 'clean' material which will not offend the audience.
Q4. As someone who performs for varied audiences—from corporate shows to private gatherings—how do you tailor your comedy to connect with such diverse groups?
Ans. Over the years we keep testing every new thought and new material at open mics and as comedians we have thoughts on everything under the Sun and Moon !! We are a pretty opinioned community !! When it is time to do a show for corporates etc. we select what jokes would probably work and what will not. Also at private shows we always check and make sure we use 'clean' material which will not offend the audience.
All our jokes used at private shows have been tested with varied audience and then used at paid shows. Give them value for money. No comedian can create material tailor-made for a particular client. Anybody who says he can create new material for a particular client is lying. If it has not been tested earlier, it is not going to work.
Q5. Being older than many of your peers in the stand-up space, does your age offer a unique perspective or material that resonates differently with audiences?
Ans. Yes, my age helps me look at various issues which younger comics would not even imagine and can be very funny. We grew up at a time when there were no computers, very few houses had a landline phone connection, cricket and football were played on a ground, not on mobile screens, angry birds had their head cut off and were eaten for dinner etc. and looking at these changes can create seriously funny jokes !!
Q5. Being older than many of your peers in the stand-up space, does your age offer a unique perspective or material that resonates differently with audiences?
Ans. Yes, my age helps me look at various issues which younger comics would not even imagine and can be very funny. We grew up at a time when there were no computers, very few houses had a landline phone connection, cricket and football were played on a ground, not on mobile screens, angry birds had their head cut off and were eaten for dinner etc. and looking at these changes can create seriously funny jokes !!
Having lived through those times gives me a perspective younger comedians can never have.
Q6. In your opinion, what makes a joke land well? Is it more about the writing, the timing, or the connection with the audience?
Ans. For a joke to be created, first comes the thought which is different from what would be considered normal thinking. Yes, maybe even a little crazy. After that you write it down and read it over and over, re-writing it till you think it is funny. After that starts the hard work. You go to different open mics and try it out in front of a live audience. In your head, your jokes may be very funny but it is the audience reaction which will tell you if it is working or not. Then comes your delivery style and timing and all this is what builds up your connection with the audience.
Q7. The comedy scene in India is growing rapidly. What are some key trends or shifts you’ve noticed since you started, and where do you see it heading?
Ans. The comedy scene is surely growing and comedians are being considered as artist in their own right. A lot of young people are investing time and money setting up comedy rooms with valuable equipment and providing great performance stages. I think its surely going to go up and up, A lot more technology is being used now, social media presence and marketing is the great leveler where all are free to put out there stuff and let the world decide how good they are.
Q6. In your opinion, what makes a joke land well? Is it more about the writing, the timing, or the connection with the audience?
Ans. For a joke to be created, first comes the thought which is different from what would be considered normal thinking. Yes, maybe even a little crazy. After that you write it down and read it over and over, re-writing it till you think it is funny. After that starts the hard work. You go to different open mics and try it out in front of a live audience. In your head, your jokes may be very funny but it is the audience reaction which will tell you if it is working or not. Then comes your delivery style and timing and all this is what builds up your connection with the audience.
Q7. The comedy scene in India is growing rapidly. What are some key trends or shifts you’ve noticed since you started, and where do you see it heading?
Ans. The comedy scene is surely growing and comedians are being considered as artist in their own right. A lot of young people are investing time and money setting up comedy rooms with valuable equipment and providing great performance stages. I think its surely going to go up and up, A lot more technology is being used now, social media presence and marketing is the great leveler where all are free to put out there stuff and let the world decide how good they are.
The other change is that suddenly now some peoples opinions are easily "offended " because of what somebody said as a joke in a democratic country and sometimes comedians are persecuted and harassed in various ways.
Q8. What advice would you give to someone looking to break into stand-up comedy, especially those who feel they might be ‘too old’ to start?
Ans. There is no age limit to do comedy, you just have to decide if you want to spend time and effort working at it and ignoring what others think. It is a lot of hard work. Your day will be used to write good material and your evenings spent travelling to venues and waiting for you turn to try your material on stage. Sometimes there are no audience and you just go back home. If you think of this as something of a career, just wake up and smell the coffee. There is little to no money mostly. Only the top few make enough to run their families. Most other comedians have a job, while they work at their comedy. For those starting out, think of it as a hobby and then see what happens.
Q9. Comedy can sometimes spark controversy. How do you handle tricky situations where your material might be misinterpreted or face criticism?
Ans. Yes many times your material is misinterpreted, because you are trying out jokes which you think will be funny. And this is a democratic country, at least for now. But there are people looking for cheap publicity and maybe fame whose opinions are "offended" and they try to create trouble and take things into their own hands. There have been instances of comedians being arrested on flimsy charges and then being released by courts. You just have to accept it as part of the job and be prepared for such situations.
Q10. If you could perform a set for any historical figure or celebrity, who would it be, and what’s the one joke you’d definitely include?
Ans, The historical figure i would like to perform for would be Hitler and the joke would be about one of his body part where the Sun never reaches !! And I will then hope he laughs before shooting me. That joke probably cannot be mentioned here !!
Q8. What advice would you give to someone looking to break into stand-up comedy, especially those who feel they might be ‘too old’ to start?
Ans. There is no age limit to do comedy, you just have to decide if you want to spend time and effort working at it and ignoring what others think. It is a lot of hard work. Your day will be used to write good material and your evenings spent travelling to venues and waiting for you turn to try your material on stage. Sometimes there are no audience and you just go back home. If you think of this as something of a career, just wake up and smell the coffee. There is little to no money mostly. Only the top few make enough to run their families. Most other comedians have a job, while they work at their comedy. For those starting out, think of it as a hobby and then see what happens.
Q9. Comedy can sometimes spark controversy. How do you handle tricky situations where your material might be misinterpreted or face criticism?
Ans. Yes many times your material is misinterpreted, because you are trying out jokes which you think will be funny. And this is a democratic country, at least for now. But there are people looking for cheap publicity and maybe fame whose opinions are "offended" and they try to create trouble and take things into their own hands. There have been instances of comedians being arrested on flimsy charges and then being released by courts. You just have to accept it as part of the job and be prepared for such situations.
Q10. If you could perform a set for any historical figure or celebrity, who would it be, and what’s the one joke you’d definitely include?
Ans, The historical figure i would like to perform for would be Hitler and the joke would be about one of his body part where the Sun never reaches !! And I will then hope he laughs before shooting me. That joke probably cannot be mentioned here !!
Bio:
Never say no to laughter. Releases stress, lowers BP, sugar levels in your blood etc. And helps me earn a living !!
He has done shows all over the country. Two things that confuse him till today are women and technology. And when he has to deal with a combination of both, the result can be seriously funny. Founded Breakout Comedy and we have produced hundreds of shows with leading comedians and given valuable stage time to many upcoming comics.
When we use cafe's, pubs and restaurants for our shows, it helps in giving a lot of visibility to that premises besides giving us an opportunity to showcase our talent.
Also performed for corporates, annual day functions, clubs and restaurant launch etc. For corporates and other functions, the comedy is FAIRLY CLEAN and the laughter guaranteed. At pubs etc. of course there will be adult content.
Interviewed by : Shivam Sharma
Edited by : Shivam Sharma
.jpeg)
.png)
){kind=link}
0 Comments