Papa CJ, the ‘most heckled’ comedian, talks about stand-up acts in India, fast food comedy abroad and his happiness project with Unnati Joshi
What made you want to do a do-good projectIJ
I believe that my purpose is to spread happiness and not just laughs. That is why I do what I do. While I’ve done a lot of charity projects in the past, the trigger for this tour was a huge client project that I lost, resulting in a significant loss of income. When I realised that the loss of income did not bother me at all, I decided that I would do shows for people for whom that income would make a difference. That’s what made me launch The Papa CJ Happiness Project initiative and I’m excited about its first tour. The project kicks off on May 19 in aid of Picture Wala, a not-for-profit foundation that travels to different parts of the country to entertain the children on streets and slums with a mission to get them within the folds of culture and meaningful entertainment through the media of cinema, art, sports, food, music, theatre and comedy.
You did MBA from Oxford. When did the idea to become a stand-up comedian strike youIJ
After paying back my student loans, I took a sabbatical from my job in london and went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where I saw stand-up comedy for the first time. Here was a guy on stage with a drink in one hand and a microphone in the other just having fun — and that was his job! I was blown away. Three months later I was on stage, I did 250 gigs in my first 10 months (700 in my first three years) and I never looked back.
What was the reaction of your parentsIJ
My parents were always extremely supportive because they saw that I had found something that I was passionate about. Also when I went broke, I would take up side jobs to support myself and finance my comedy “habit” — so I was financially independent. It’s only ten years after doing stand-up that my parents told me that they thought it would only be a hobby and I’d do it for six months and then drop it but I just kept going on.
Describe the initial years of getting the right break, who were your early influencesIJ
I don’t know if I’ve got any right ‘breaks’ yet. My early influences were the comedians on the UK circuit who I worked with. Of the 700 gigs I did in the UK in my first three years, at least 350 of them would have been out of town. That means I’ve spent over 2,000 hours in cars with comedians who have been performing for 10-20 years. I’ve seen how they talk about their own work, I’ve seen how they prepare and perform, I’ve seen how they work different rooms, I’ve got feedback on my own material and stagecraft. I’ve had the chance to play before a broad range of audience… that is where a chunk of my learning came from.
How do you see your journey nowIJ
I’m still enjoying it. That’s what matters. I love what I do and I have fun doing it.
How do you create your jokesIJ
like magic. Out of thin air.
How does the Indian audience differ from, say, a US or UK fanIJ
As regards the UK and the US, in my experience in some parts of US, comedy is a means to an end. For example people in los Angeles often do stand-up so they can get noticed and get a sit com. TV is the end goal. Also the jokes tend to be short and snappy — fast food comedy.
In the UK on the other hand, stand-up is a live art form and comedians do stand-up for the sake of doing stand-up. It’s like fine dining. In the right environment, an audience will happily listen to a three-minute long story with a pay-off in the end.
India is slightly different. All over the world stand-up comedy is a very grass roots art form. Anti-establishment, anti-elite… almost a form of protest. In India, English language stand-up is performed for the elite. Therefore, by and large your audience is somewhat savvy and reasonably well-educated (I’m making a broad generalisation here). What happens in India, though, is that we are the largest democracy in the world but we can occasionally be the largest hypocrisy in the world as well. We are very conscious at who is looking at us laugh at what. So there is some psychological gamesmanship involved where you have to get your audience to give you permission to do what you want to do.
You are very interactive in your shows, have you ever been heckledIJ How do you usually deal with hecklersIJ
I’ve been told that I’m the most heckled comedian in India because apparently I’m asking for it! I don’t have a usual way of dealing with hecklers. I hear what they have to say and then take my time making them look really, really, really, really stupid. That being said, on the odd occasion if someone comes up with a good line, I’ll acknowledge it and get them a round of applause. And then I’ll make them look really stupid!
Can you be a comedian in India without being branded as “racist”, “insensitive” or “vulgar”IJ
The only reason comedians do certain jokes is because the audience keeps laughing at them. If you want comedians to stop cracking what you call “vulgar” jokes, don’t target the comedian, convince the audience to stop laughing. Trust me, if a comedian cracks a joke three times and nobody laughs at it, he’ll never crack that joke again.
What do you think about the comedy scene in India, with AIB, TVF, etcIJ And how do you think the stand-up scene has grown hereIJ
I think the comedy scene is exploding in India and it’s wonderful to see so many talented people achieve so much success across a range of platforms.
Where do you see the Indian stand-up-comedy scene in the global spaceIJ
Slowly yet surely it will make its impact. What I’d like to see is the local audience in other countries appreciate Indian stand-up and not just Indians who are living abroad. However, we’ll have to raise our game a little because in many countries they have grown up watching stand-up comedians and seen very seasoned performers.
Who do you think are the funniest international comedians right nowIJ And who are your favourite local comicsIJ
I’ve always been a fan of Chris Rock and I’m looking forward to his specials coming out this year. In India, I really enjoy Varun Grover’s work.
Do stand-up comedians make good money just doing live showsIJ
let’s just say I’m able to live within my means. And yes, stand-up is definitely a viable career and it would become even more viable if the audience in India stopped asking for “free passes” and went out and paid for show tickets.
What’s next for youIJ
I’m shooting a half-hour special for Comedy Central in Malaysia in July. I’m performing at the Edinburgh Festival in August and also representing India at the Festival of India in Sweden. At that festival, I’ll be hosting the first two nights in front of 15,000 people, on the third night I’m performing at the City Hall where the Nobel prizes are given out and on the last night, I’ll be doing a solo show in front of 5,000 people.
Funniest thing in your head right nowIJ
Midget sex.
(The Papa CJ Happiness Project in aid of Picture Wala will be staged at Kamani Auditorium today)