Tongue & cheek

Jasmine Singh

Stand-up comedian from Haryana, Vishwash Chauhan would have to pay Rs 50 fine for speaking Haryanvi in junior class; today, “I became the finalist of Laughter Challenge 2017 by speaking the same Haryanvi,” the young man laughs!

In Chandigarh for a brief stop-over, Vishwash is all set to enter the world of comedy, professionally. “Television, films, reality shows, I am open to everything, but I just have one self-imposed condition that I want to take Haryanvi culture to every part of the country.”

Big moment

Vishwash, who had a great time at Laughter Challenge, had to audition twice before he got through, but once he was one the show that was judged by Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, there was no stopping him. “They had nicknamed me Kalu and Lathwala; all my Haryanvi accent jokes were lapped up by the audience.”

Vishwash thinks it was his simple humour that helped him stand out. “People in cities think twice before saying anything, their laughter is also controlled, but we come from rural background; our jokes come from every day simple conversation and are hilarious,” he adds. Vishwash might move to Mumbai for better opportunities, but he is hopeful that Haryana wouldn’t let him go anywhere! “The rate at which Haryanavi cinema is growing, I don’t think I need to go anywhere,” he says.