Kunal Verma:'Audience wants Masala, NOT emotions'

Actor Kunal Verma, currently seen as Vihaan in Jhanak on Star Plus, recently opened up about the evolving trends in stand-up comedy amidst controversies involving comedians like Samay Raina and influencers such as Ranveer Allahbadia. Kunal offered a thoughtful perspective on how audience demands and social platforms have reshaped the comedy space while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sense of decorum.

Speaking about the current state of comedy, Kunal remarked, “Stand-up comedians and times have changed, and so have the audience. People are least bothered about emotions—they want masala, so everyone is just going with the flow.” He pointed out that the demand for bold, controversial humor has surged, and creators often cater to this growing appetite.

Kunal further elaborated on how explicit language and sensationalism have become normalized. “Yes, aaj kal sab kuch bahot theek hi hai. Kuch bhi karo, accha lag raha hai logon ko. Audience ko maza aata hai gaali sunne aur dekhne main. Earlier, the audience was there, but the content wasn’t. Now, both the audience and content are overflowing,” he observed.

Audience ko maza aata hai gaali sunne aur dekhne main. Earlier, the audience was there, but the content wasn’t. Now, both the audience and content are overflowing

- Kunal Verma

From a business perspective, Kunal acknowledged the role of social platforms in amplifying this trend but voiced his concerns. “Of course, from a business point of view, it works, but that doesn’t make it right. Big names like Samaira, Ashish, and Anshlani dominate the space, but some things shouldn’t be normalized. Zamana change gaya hai, and people are taking advantage of it. However, we should go with the flow while maintaining decorum,” he shared, urging creators to strike a balance between creativity and responsibility.

While reflecting on the controversies, Kunal remarked, “Whatever mistakes were made, I believe the people involved have faced the consequences. But I am nobody to judge. God bless them, and good luck to everyone in this world.”

Kunal’s views resonate with the ongoing debate about comedy’s role in society. For him, while modern humor reflects changing times, it’s essential to maintain respect, both for the craft and the audience.