Stand Up interview

Stand Up Comic Interview

Brace up for a laugh attack!

Writer,stage,film and TV actor,voiceover and stand up comic… by his own admission,Aporup Acharya sure can wing it and how! After getting you amusedly mulling through his column Sex and the Single Man,Aporup is ready to dish out the funnies,in person.And as a teaser to whats in store at his show,heres the self-admittedly matured and talented actor in a Q & A with us: 

Whats the fare youve got ready for Bangaloreans 

I find that question hilarious! Because,first of all,I dont even know what a Bangalorean is.Everybody thinks they are one.Second of all,I dont prepare.I just show up and make fun of people.And animals.Or both,when I cant tell the difference.Myself included.Myself the most,actually.Because Im an animal,a rather personable animal,youll see.

Stand-up comedy for you is… 

My way of making sense of the world;for myself and the world.At an entry level it is the art of thinking aloud;but at a sublime level it is a spiritual act performed to bring the universal body,mind,intellect and spirit together.It is an exercise in self realisation – both for the comic and the audience.Its also a good way to pass the time.

In your face,wry,witty or slapstick.What is the Aporup Acharya brand of humour 

Wry and Witty,yes;but its also profound,political,instant,impromptu,Indian.

What are your favourite subjects to comment about 

I dont so much comment as embody.For one,I embody the middle class Indian mind – my mind,maybe.It is a universe of lovable,laughable idiocy.

What are the advantages that being 

a theatre actor gives you when you do standup-comedy How does it help 

One is not supposed to only help the other;one leads to the other.The culmination of theatre is stand up.Stand up is the highest form of theatre.Theatre evolves into stand up at its peak,when you are done with scripts,and directions,and rules,and theories…

Having said that,if you are a good actor,you could pepper your comedy with some acting – though thats hardly essential to stand up.Its more a question of stand up being an activity that represents all the highest aspirations of theatre – its core,its aims – in one person,in one place.

Phew! I can really wing it,cant I! No…, but I mean it.

Writing,acting,doing voice-overs,at the end of the day,you have most fun doing… 

Youre asking me,a man of a certain maturity,what he does for fun at the end of the day

Er… do I know you that well Well ok… anyway…. ummm,lets just say I find something to amuse myself I sleep,if nothing else.

What is that one subject/ joke that always gets you cracking up And what is that one thing that gets you oh-so-serious.

The same subjects can get you laughing or crying.They say the truth has two sides – it either makes you laugh;or makes you upset.So any topic,approached with an intent other than the most evolved,will get me upset.Comedy,or laughter,has to be allowed into every crevice of our lives,privy to our every deed,or else we run the risk of thinking what we do around here is of some importance;and then we get insufferable.Anyway,I dont approach comedy subject-wise.Its all life to me;and all reason to laugh.Or cry.A comedian who gets you roaring- These days… Zach Galifiniakis.

Finally,anything you want the Bangalore audience to be prepared for 

Hilarious again! I dont prepare,so why should you Just come.I just might too.