Stand-up comedy is still new in India: Atul Khatri

If you follow the comedy news of the country, you would have definitely heard of Atul Khatri. If you haven’t, let us introduce you to him. Atul is a 45-year-old CEO of a thriving business in Mumbai. He runs an IT facility management company and is father of two lovely daughters.

He was always the funny guy in his group and a couple of years ago, when English stand-up comedy forayed into the country, he suddenly discovered he could be paid to be funny. And that’s what he did! Even though he juggles business, family and his passion on a daily basis, he is better known for his humour and following his passion.

Since he is on his way to the city on May 23 to perform at Taj Vivanta, we thought of catching up with him and dig a little deeper to understand from where he gets all the energy.

What are the main sources of your humour?

I draw humour from three things. Observation, personal life and angst. I try to stick the first two as much as possible, but every once in a while my angst gets better of me. For instance I feel strongly about the Delhi rape case. Being a father of two daughters how can I not? So I did a set on that.

What kind of shows do you do?

We comics feed off the small gigs at bar but live off the corporate shows. That is what pays the bills. I am not bothered by the restrictions on the material that corporates put. When in Rome...!

So do you get in house show demands from your office?

At office I am like any other tyrant boss. Its work. I put on my comic hat after work hours. Sometime I go for my shows directly from office after changing clothes there.

How do you juggle between your work and your comedy?

Technology is the biggest boon in my life. I am present in my office most of the time as most of my gigs are in Mumbai which is the epicentre of comedy right now. While travelling if I need to take care of work, I telecommute. A few weeks ago I closed a huge deal while I was in Ludhiana for a gig. The client didn’t even know where I was!

What do you think about the audience? What tickles their funny bones?

Stand-up comedy is very new in India. The audiences are used to the regular stereotyping of regional quirks or system bashing. They always work. Most of the audiences that I perform for are first time comedy audiences. I stick to the basics as I have a responsibility of not killing the audiences even before they understand the craft. At the same time I have a responsibility to educate them, which I do in my own way.

Do you see comedy replacing your business anytime in the future?

I am open to where life takes me. But I will say this. Comedy is new to India and I am one of the early adopters, I will be stupid not to ride the wave.

By:Saharssh