‘Have something to say and say it’: Stand-up comedian Anuvab Pal
Anuvab Pal – Widely regarded as one of India’s top stand-ups, he was the first Indian to perform at London’s Comedy Store, and has since sold out houses from Mumbai to San Francisco. His screenplay for the global hit ‘Loins Of Punjab’ played at 20 international festivals and remains the highest grossing Indian English comedy film of all time. Known for his dry and clever humour, Anuvab has been called ‘India’s answer to British wit’ by the BBC and appears on ‘The Bugle’ with John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman.
Indus Age spoke to Anuvab on the sidelines of Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2019 where he opened up about his popularity, the perks of being a known face, the most hilarious moment and more. Read on:
Interviewed by Nidhi Kumari
- You’ve gained huge popularity and acceptance today, did you expect it, when you started?
None of it. I didn’t think Indian comedy would last more than a week. Shockingly, it has.
- What drove you to this field of stand up comedy? When was the time you decided that you wanted to do this?
Accident. I was doing an interview for the Comedy Store in Mumbai and they asked me to audition. I did. And then that Friday in 2010, they put me on stage. I thought it was a bit of fun. Ten years on, I’m still not sure I want to do this.
- You have millions of fans who connect with you, what do you think makes the audience identify with your acts?
I guess if you tell stories that everyone is experiencing, they consider you the storyteller of a shared experience. And truth.
- How do you create that charm, coming up with new and unique ideas every time? And what is it that you have to do to stay relevant?
Well, it’s a job, so we have to. Reading a lot is important.
- To make someone smile and laugh is a very serious business and is extremely difficult, as there are chances of offending someone . What do you have to keep in mind as a comedian?
Chances are high. I can only gauge by myself. And ask myself, what offends me? And If I’m not offended, I say it.
Also do you think, it curbs creativity?
Sure. In India, you have to think about court cases and so on.
- You are visiting Australia for the ‘Melbourne International Comedy Festival’, is there any special preparation that you’ve done for the show? What’s instore for the audience?
I’m trying to read as much about Australia as possible.
- In this competitive world of entertainment industry, what do you think sets you apart from the others?
Comedy is different. Only you can tell your story because it’s your life experience.
- If you had to tell us about the most hilarious moment/s you have had while performing on stage . Your answer would be:
I once had fighter jets flying over my head so I had to stop before every punch line and wait for the noise to stop.
- There might be times when you aren’t in a good mood, still you have to do the show, how do you motivate yourself?
Just like an actor does.
- What is your advice to aspiring stand up comedian?
Have something to say and say it. Don’t think about audiences.
- Your Message for the people in Australia?
I love that you are an outdoors country. I’m an indoors person. I’m hoping opposites attract.
Some Quick questions :
- Who is the last person you think of before going off to sleep at night?
My father-in-law.
- What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?
I accidentally got locked in a Starbucks toilet with my coffee. When they got me out, they must have wondered, ‘Wow, this guy really likes his alone time’.
- A piece of advice someone gave you:
Get a job.
- What’s the best thing of being a popular face?:
People stare at you weirdly, like you’ve shot their dog.
- What is it like to be on the stage as a stand up comedian?:
You can barely see anyone’s face.
- If not a comedian, what else would you have been?:
I’m still hoping to be a lawyer.
To know more about the Comedy Festival visit: comedyfestival.com.au
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