Vir Das: I come from a pure place

In his first press interaction since his comedy clip fired up India’s outrage industry, Vir Das says ‘he’s just a guy with a mic, making jokes’

Stand-up comedian Vir Das is currently in New York City. A big night awaits him at the Big Apple, as we speak. The International Emmy Awards is 24 hours away, where Das is nominated for Best Comedy, for his Netflix stand-up special, Vir Das: For India.

Which also means he's singlehandedly competing with full-on shows, such as Call My Agent (Season 4), in the same global category. Also making him the first Indian stand-up comedian to be honoured thus.

The Two Indias clip was part of Das's performance in Washington DC

While this should make India proud, as it certainly does, Das's big moment is also sort of eclipsed by anxiety over the massive outrage directed against him, in both social media and television news, ever since he shared a short stand-up comedy clip last week on his personal YouTube channel.

The routine was from his performance in Washington DC, during an ongoing US tour. Along with virtual threats, there has also been vocal support for his freedom of expression in the same platforms. On his part, he has posted a clarification on the intent of his video.

The monologue was an attempt at satire, expressing dichotomy of two Indias, both bright and dark, that reside within one country. Das sounds understandably guarded, as we meet him at a New York City hotel — as part of the press interview for his Netflix special's Emmy nomination. Also understandable that the quick conversation we have is centred on that clip instead.

One day, one (five-odd minutes') video. Just take us through what has happened since.

I put [the video] up. And there has been a response. It has been humbling to receive love from everywhere in the world.

Did you foresee the consequences, or likely impact — from ministers in government to leaders from the opposition, everyone's had their say on it since.

Look, laughter is a celebration. And I think any Indian, with a sense of humour, who understands satire, and who watched my entire video — which is a large group of people — knows that's what happened in that room. That's what I'm focusing on.

When you say, watched the entire video, you mean the larger act, of which the clip you put out was only a part?

I mean the video that ends with a gigantic round of applause, for our country — people celebrating our country. That's a beautiful thing.

Not just with you, but do you think the community of (standup) comedians are taken more seriously, than even journalists — when it comes to speaking truth, and not just to power?

Our only job is to make people laugh. You're a journalist — you tell me if we [stand-up comedians] are being taken more seriously, or not. You have a very important job. Mine is just to tell jokes. That's it. I'm just a guy with a mic.

Did the reactions freak you out though, with stuff that happened after the video was out?

Define 'freak me out'?

As in something you hadn't imagined. Or, actually, just tell me what went through your head.

I think as an artist, you have to