Back in 2011-12, a few comedians came forward on YouTube to make their mark in comedy and they succeeded in doing so. Inspired by them, many others came forward to pursue their passion. Bangalore and Mumbai offered so many opportunities to them and these places soon became a hub for comedians. 

No sooner, comedy became a full-time profession. And we see people pursuing Stand Up comedy full time now. While some of the comics were able to make their mark, many are still struggling to make one. 

Harman Preet Singh, 24 year-old budding comedian, well known in Bangalore Comedy circuit, is trying to make his mark. Harman, who loves being on stage ever since he was a child, is a regular face in the Bangalore comedy circuit.

Here’s what he has to say about becoming a humour sapien.

How did you get into comedy?

Just like many Indians, I too grew up watching Russel Peters. I used to host and manage shows when I was in 11th grade. Since then, I started doing the crowd work and began enjoying being on stage. People started thinking I was a stand-up comedian. Then I realized that maybe I should stick to it.

How has the journey been so far?

September 2015 was when I started hitting the open mics.  After bombing on stage during the open mic, I became low on confidence. And that’s when I took a break from comedy for 6-7 months in the Bangalore circuit. But I didn’t give up on it, and continued my run as a comedian by doing corporate and college gigs on a regular basis, making full use of my stage skills.

April 2016, I hit the Bangalore comedy circuit again and since then I am a regular to the world of comedy.

What are the challenges faced by you?

I did face quite a few challenges which mostly every comic faces when they step on stage – the acceptance from comics and audiences. I am of this opinion that, in order to be a good comic one has to be themselves and the audience should accept you the way you are. Though it took me a few years to reach a level of confidence that I have, however, I believe in giving my best shot on stage in every show I perform in. Your audience can make you or break you, you got to keep them happy.

All the best!

Harman Preet Singh is confident that he will make it big into the scene soon. He follows a practical approach, and says, “Jis din mai funny ho gaya uss din mai kisi ka wait nahi karunga,” without waiting for anyone’s opinion, he would take the world by storm.

Well, we think, had he not chosen to be a comedian, he would have been a great motivational speaker.

The post Tête-à-Tête with Harman Preet Singh appeared first on Humour Sapiens.

Apart from this, Biswa Kalyan Rath, yet again from the Pretentious Movie Reviews’ fame was seen is Brahman Naman, AIB’s Tanmay Bhat in Mr. X, Varun Thakur in Jab Tak Hai Jaan, to count a few.

No amount of recent examples can hide the contribution that the exemplary comic Vir Das had in the B-town. Recognised for his roles in movies like Badmaash Company, Go Goa Gone, Delhi Belly and Mastizaade, he is one level above the rest.

There are no two thoughts about it that Indian stand-up comedy fraternity has grown manifold over a couple of years, and has come to a point where it’s booming across the country. It has established itself as a mainstream entertainment medium and we can see comedy clubs, events and tours happening all over India.

Comedy stars have become a household name and stand-up comedy is slowly becoming an acceptable career option.

New Age Indian Comedians

Given the rise in the comedy landscape, the comedy stars are now seeking a career in the B-town that allows them an expanded reach. This is a tough move if decision makers are not open to new ideas or perspectives.

However, the increase in number of comics in films these days hint towards its recognition and direction in the industry.

Past Perfect

Hindi cinema has been known to churn out its widely celebrated comedians such as Mehmood, Kishore Kumar and Johnny Lever. It is better to term them as comic actors and not stand-up comedians, for stand-up is fairly new field.

Conclusion

Indian stand-up comics are indeed a melting pot of talent that’s waiting to be tapped. They have capacity to make great writers, directors and actors. It is high time to realise it and change the face of B-town for good.

The post Bollywood’s affair with stand-up comedy! appeared first on Humour Sapiens.

Many people believe that professional comedians are sad or depressed. It is their unhappy childhood or troubled relationship with family that leads to them reflecting a happy side, hiding their glumness. Performing on stage is considered to be a coping mechanism for them, an escape from reality.   

This belief is backed by a research that states, it is the pressures and expectations put on comics while growing up. If they faltered. They weren’t accepted as ‘good enough’ or worthy. Stand-up Comedy was pursued as a venting system, where they could be as badass as they could get and still be ‘good enough’.

However, over the last few years, it has been widely accepted as a career. Shunning all the beliefs of being tortured in childhood, stand-up comedy has turned into a lucrative profession, for those who deserve. And for the rest, it is still a coping mechanism, not from the disturbing childhood, but from a traumatic work-life, bad bosses, annoying colleagues and basically anyone you cannot hit with a keyboard and puncture with a pen.

Becoming a laughing stock, or making someone a butt of all your jokes serves as a defence against panic and anxiety. Comedians do enjoy their short period of relief on stage, where the spotlight is on them. Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. They bum too. But then, who doesn’t?

We’ve always had the comedians such as Johnny Lever, Raju Srivastava, Vir Das and the likes, who pursued comedy as a hobby before taking it up professionally. But it wasn’t always an acceptable career for the funny lot with disapproving-and-society-fearing-parents.

Today, a fresh flush of comedians is seen who want to try their hand at making India laugh. The scene is such that it’s not just the individual comics who are hovering people’s minds, but comedy and entertainment portals such as TVF & AIB have come into existence too. And boy, people love them for their missing brain to mouth filter. There has never been a better time to be an entertainer.

The increasing special place for humour in India is evident with the streaming websites such as Amazon Prime and Netflix latching on to the opportunity and teaming up with comics to generate funny content.

Cities across India witness full-houses in Comedy gigs. Comedy content has diversified, comedians have diversified. The looney toony in the brain isn’t limited to the guys, the girls are no less in foraying into the laughter-world. *Proud*

Also, competition is increasing as more young comedians are taking the plunge. Everyone seems to be writing a special spot, trying to be visible, applauded and accepted.

Branding someone as tortured because that someone carries a certain talent is pure thumbs down.

Comedians become comedians because they are talented. Period.

The post Why Do Comedians Become Comedians? appeared first on Humour Sapiens.