‘Comedy is my meditation’

How did you start your acting journey?

I started with radio. Then dubbing, writing and eventually facing the camera.

How did you get your first show, Shankar Jai Kishan, which was a triple role?

Swastik Productions is known for its mythological shows, but for the script of Shankar Jai Kishan, they were all game. But they weren’t able to find an actor initially to play the three characters until Siddharth Tiwary came across an episode of my YouTube show Janhit Mein Jaari and he himself told me that he was convinced seeing that video that I can pull off three roles simultaneously.

The show didn’t click with the masses. Were you disappointed?

No. That show is close to my heart. The small audience that it found they all loved it. Especially the kids loved it.

What has been unique about Apna News Aayega? Throw light on its format.

The unique thing about this show is that it’s out and out slapstick. It’s on current topics and in 11 schedules the team has churned out close to 300 gags, which is commendable. And each artist on this show dons at least eight to nine different looks in a single schedule.

What do you have to say about the comedy genre?

It’s all about timing and I love doing it, and yes would continue to do so. It’s my meditation.

What kind of comedy reality show you want to do and why?

Comedy Circus as a format is something I have always enjoyed, but like everything, even comedy evolves into different styles. You never know what would click with the audience. Like I don’t think the TV audience is yet accustomed to a comedy that you see in web show, Comicstan.

If not an actor what would you have been?

An engineer. I have a degree in electronic engineer.

Have you faced a low phase in life? When was it and how did you handle it?

I did, but I choose not to share the details. If something doesn’t suit me I automatically snap out, it’s my self-defence mechanism. I don’t do it consciously, it’s natural to me. I stop getting affected entirely and that helps me a lot.