‘Write, let the audience tell you if it’s funny or not’
His impeccable comic timing is something many envy, and his punches are not easy for everyone to swallow. While one wonders what inspires Vir Das to create such content, he reveals a part of it is spontaneous and the rest mostly inspired by his surroundings and things he enjoys watching or reading. In short, he keeps his “mind” and “senses” open at all times.
“I love watching comedy movies, reading comedy books, Mel Brooks movies, the Hangover series, Young Frankenstein (1974), Khushwant Singh, as much I can. All this helps. But largely, when I’m done with the business of comedy, I enjoy other things. I try to get out of the comedy zone as much as I can,” says the stand-up comic-actor-musician.
He admits the brain needs to relax to churn out more jokes. Mention that he impresses many with his humour, Vir says he’s humbled by all the love he receives.
His latest show, Vir Das: For India, premiered on an OTT platform and he’s happy with the reaction it has received. “I’ve given birth, so kind of relieved (laughs). I’ve been literally working on it for 10 months to get this out into the world. So, right now, I’m very grateful and elated. And, I’m exhausted. It took a long time to write, a lot of research went in and required a lot of hard work, too,” he recounts.
Given how people in today’s times get offended way too easily, we ask him how he keeps a check on the tonality of his jokes and not go overboard.
Vir explains, “I don’t know where the board or the belt is (referring to going overboard and below the belt). I think people tell you where the board and belt are. Once you begin worrying about that, you will not be able to write. The best thing is to write and let the audience tell you if it’s funny or not.”
Shreya Mukherjee I love watching comedy movies, reading comedy books... All this helps. But largely, when I’m done with the business of comedy, I enjoy other things. I try to get out of the comedy zone as much as I can.
VIR DAS STAND-UP COMICACTOR-MUSICIAN