BENGALURU:Rib tickling funny bones specialist and India’s top comedian Sorabh Pant talks about his journey, free speech in India, his new novel and Namma Bengaluru.
From doing a show with Vir Das back in 2008 titled, ‘’News on the loose” to now doing independent shows. How has the journey been so far?
It has been a great journey, but I am actually doing the same stuff I was doing back then such as News Comedy. It was challenging. But if you find something you love doing (forget it’s good or bad), you will figure a way out. I had honestly forgotten that I had done that show until recently it was pointed out to me that I have been in news comedy for nine years. (Laughs). With ‘Rant of the Pant’ I realised my jokes have become edgier and the information has become better, I am not saying its perfect but its getting to where I want it to be.
How has Comedy changed post YouTube era?
Well, what I like is that everyone is giving me way too much credit because I get called out a ‘liberal’, ‘Nazi’, ‘liberando’ comedian and other absurd things online is not even funny (chuckles). I try my best to be pretty neutral in my opinions and my favourite thing is when people come up to me and say that they have come to see me perform live and they don’t know which side I stand politically and the reason for that is I dont know either. (Laughs). I think the lot of attention I get is undeserving, I mean popularity wise too. In the US, you would be this popular only after a decade and a half of doing stand up. I am still in the process of finding my own voice and I do not like anything I have done in the past. (Laughs)
What is your take on free speech in India?
I think we have a reasonable amount of free speech in India compared to other Asian countries. I have toured all over the place specifically Asia and I think literally barring countries like Australia, Canada, US and parts of Europe, I don’t think the world is very open in general. I am not saying we are great, but we are not as terrible as we imagine it to be. However I do believe that recently and specifically I have started feeling that.. Everything said is being questioned by somebody like I get a death threat or a physical threat every week. Its gets a bit exhausting because its not funny anymore. If you want to have a conversation, do it in a proper way.
Other than comedy, you are a writer. Two back-to-back novels... Are you looking forward for a third novel?
Yes, I am releasing my third novel, ‘Pavan – The flying accountant’ in November. It’s basically about a superhuman who has been assigned to protect India and he doesn’t want to because he is suicidal and alcoholic. I am excited about it and hope people like it.
How is Bengaluru audience different from other cities?
I love Bengaluru. It is literally like Mumbai and Pune had a baby (Laughs) with the laid back, chilled out attitude of Pune and the work culture of Mumbai.
Black Dog Easy Evening with Sorabh Pant - Steppinout Comedy Nights will be hosted at Indiranagar Club on October 15, 6 pm.