In the run-up to his live show in the city today, veteran stand-up comic Atul Khatri reflects on the field of stand-up comedy, and the place Goa holds in his heart
JAY JOSHI
Stand up comedy has been a rapidly emerging field in entertainment. However, more than just witty comments, a comedian must always strive to educate the people and master the art of understanding and observation, says veteran comedian Atul Khatri, who is set to perform today at the Marriott resort in Miramar.
“Stand up comedy may not influence political opinions of people. But I believe it is the job of a comedian to educate the people drawing upon his own opinions. At the end, people should decide on their own what they want to do. A comedian serves to raise certain social issues through comedy” says Khatri while commenting on how far stand-up comedy can go in influencing popular opinion.
The CEO-turned-comedian is coming back to the state after a gap of just over a year with new original content. “I am returning to Goa after about 18 months, so this time it’s going to be all new jokes. It’s going to be a mix of different things. I will talk about my experiences while shifting from a corporate life to being a full-time comedian, narrate some observations during my travels around the world!” explains Khatri.
“I come to Goa mostly for holiday, and it’s an amazing place. We, the people of Mumbai are blessed to have such a destination close by where we can drive down.” says Khatri, expressing what Goa means to him. “Goa has world class hotels, and the State has the great Feni drink. Personally, pineapple juice and Feni is my favourite combination. Coming to Goa can cure you of anxiety and depression,” he adds.
Even if one agrees that following one’s passion is the best thing to do, is it wise to plunge into the new venture? This is the key question before all who seek new adventures, and Khatri believes that the time at which we change fields holds the key in this matter.
“It all depends on what stage of life you are at. If you are a young kid just out of college who wants to pursue comedy, you could do it. But in my case,I started at the age of 44. I had two kids and the responsibility of the family so the decision had to be very calculative. Hence, I took the safe route and for the first three to four years juggled both my work and stand up comedy. I left the corporate job in 2016 and now I am a full time stand-up comic” states the Mumbai-based performer.
It is very important for a stand-up comic to create original content, and gain as much exposure as possible, says Khatri. “You must write original content. Go and hit as many open mic events as possible and gain as much stage-time as possible.There are no shortcuts to success in comedy.” says Khatri. “Content is indeed a big issue today. I too struggle with writer’s block at times, but i have found that regular exercise is a good way to overcome the problem. Secondly, I don’t think finding inspiration for good content is that difficult in a country such as India. We are blessed that we have so many communities and cultures, and there is so much variety in our own lives.” notes the comic.
