Transcript of LIVE INDIATIMES CHAT with actor-mimicry artist, Raju Srivastav at 12 noon on Friday, October 28, 2005 in Mumbai
Raju Srivastav
actor-mimicry artist
"Initially, I wanted to be a judge on the show - The Great Indian Laughter Champion"
Raju > You have been around for so long in films and TV but how come you have received recognition only now? How does it feel to get fame so late in life?
Raju Srivastav > I have done some 30 films till now. When I played small roles like in Maine Pyaar Kiya, Baazigar etc those films did well, and people liked and recognised me in them. On the other hand when I played some major roles in films like Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon , Amdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya, Wah Tera Kya Kehna, those films did not become a hit. So, I started doing more of stage shows than films; though I didn't quit the latter. While I was involved with stage shows, I did not pay much heed to films, as I was getting more out of doing live stand-up comedies (on stage). Till date I have done around 3000 shows on stage, and performed globally. I performed with Kishore Kumar, Kalyandji-Anandji, Asha Bhonsle, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, all over the world. Before the show, The Laughter Challenge/Champion made us household names, we worked as fillers (on stage) for big stars. But now, after this fame, we get to do main comedy shows on stage. And for fillers, singers are called in to perform in-between (our) shows. Going back to the first part of your question - earlier I did not concentrate on films. I used to think to myself, in fact I have always had this grouse, why should a stand-up comedian not be famous like film stars. Why is it that to be famous one has to do films? When will mimicry artists in India get their dues? It was not the same abroad. Mimicry artists in foreign countries are even more popular than their film stars. But now, these TV shows, have changed all that. With fame coming so late to me (I am in this line for 22 years), I do feel a slight regret. About 15 years back, I did receive a boost in my career. One of my audios (laughter) cassettes - Hasna Mana Hai - used to be played in buses, rickshaws etc. But since I was not seen and the cassette was popular mostly in smaller towns, I did not get the necessary popularity then.
Aashy > Hi Raju ji, you are an all rounder! Who is your favourite stand-up comedian?
Raju Srivastav > Johnny Lever, in India. And in Pakistan, it's Omar Shariff and Moin Akhtar. Let me tell you that in India, there's is a man in Jabalpur who has never left his hometown Jabalpur to seek fame outside the small city he lives in. His name is KK Nayakar. Even Johnny Lever is his fan. He did not take part in this contest (Laughter Champion) because he felt that he was too senior. Nayyar too is among my favourites. I do not have English comedians in my list of favourites, as, first of all, I do not speak or understand the English language very well. Secondly, I do not want to ape them and lose my own Indian identity/individuality.
Clod > How does it feel to be the newest celebrity on the block?
Raju Srivastav > I haven't received a JUMP. But my popularity has increased definitely. Hence, the demand and price has also increased. I am happy. I have to refuse films now because my dates are clashing with my mimicry shows. People have given such responsibility to me. I feel I have to make them laugh more, or else, even this fame will not retain. I am indebted to my audience.
Yututu > Is it easy to make someone laugh?
Raju Srivastav > Can't present an analysis about myself. But I can tell you about others' response (to this question). Actors like Salman and Shahrukh say that it is difficult to make people laugh. But, I do not find it hard to make people laugh;comedy comes to me easily. It's easy to make others' cry. You just have to do something nasty in order to achieve that. But to make anyone laugh, one has to put in an effort. Yet, I find it easy.
Viv > Raju Bhaiya, you are from UP (Uttar Pradesh) then how can you joke about UP bhaiya's so much? Don't you feel bad?
Raju Srivastav > If I can make others laugh and make them healthy by doing so then why not. Don't we imitate/mimicry celebs like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, George Bush etc? I even do the mimicry of my own dad. Only, I feel it should not be vulgar. Sometimes I imitate my little daughter as well. I am from UP so I can bring out that flavour very easily, in my act. I feel that if in my "Bhaiya Bhasha" (local UP lingo) I can highlight the drawbacks of the area and focus on any other social problems of my state; then it works as a message. And who knows, it may influence the decisions of politicians and decision makers who are watching my programme.
Qtpihazeleyes > What is laughter according to you?
Raju Srivastav > In tragedy lies the comedy. After sorrow when you laugh, you understand the meaning (and value) of comedy.
Love u > We heard that you were invited to take part in the Laughter Champion and only then did you decide to take part in it. Is it true? You mean, you didn't apply to participate in the contest?
Raju Srivastav > I had refused initially. But they (the producers and the Channel) persisted and continued to pursue me to take part in the show. They had my name (and other professionals too) in their data base. In fact, that's how they were contacting everyone. They called all the talented people to the show. I was putting them off everytime. But their director (Pankaj) came to my house. I was not keen, even then. I thought that the show would not do anything to my career. I was doing exclusive shows like 'Raju Srivastav Night'. And my promoters didn't want to see me participating in a show where actors, who were junior to me, would be participating on the same platform. I didn't want to go as a participant. I wanted to be a judge. But I am an Amitabh Bachchan fan, who till this day has made work his priority. And I thought to myself that if I behaved like a snob and didn't stand on the same platform as my juniors then, I would be like other senior artists, who only go for inaugurals and are called to cut ribbons at various functions. So, I decided to follow Amitabh's approach to work. I had started my career by doing his mimicry. So I thought that I should not be snob and only think of myself as a senior in my profession. Therefore, I agreed. When I went for the rehearsals, my mind did waver a little. Because all the participants who came there, approached me for my autographs. Again I went to the director (Pankaj Saraswat) and told him that I'd not be able to participate. Later, my wife too convinced me to take part. So I began to shoot and after 5-6 episodes, thought to myself that my decision was wise. I thank the TV channel and the director, Pankaj Saraswat, who did not lose faith in me. Pankaj had told me right from the beginning that they were not looking for a judge (because the show can have only limited number of judges) but they were looking for strong participants to make the competition exciting.
Aussie > What do you think about Sunil Pal?
Raju Srivastav > I like him. He is much younger than me (about 8 years younger) and having gone through a similar struggle to make it, I understand his struggle in Mumbai. However, I feel he should bring more variety into his performance. But his singing is good.
Ranjit > Hi Raju. You were great in the laughter challenge!
Raju Srivastav > Thanks!
Sac_d > I had seen your show in my home town Ahmednagar few years back. I haven't seen you perform after the release of Maine Pyaar Kiya in 1989. Do you still do stage shows?
Raju Srivastav > Yes, I do. In fact I mainly do stage shows. That's how I have done 3000 shows till now. When I had gone to Ahmednagar I had only done about 40 shows.
Karachi > Where are you from and how many years have you been in Mumbai? Can you tell us something about yourself?
Raju Srivastav > I am from Kanpur, UP. And I came to Mumbai in 1982. For one year, I didn't know what to do with myself. But from 1983, I started by doing Amitabh Bachchan mimicry. I'd copy his dance, songs, dialogues. I became famous as the junior Amitabh. But then I managed to come out of that image, as I wanted to have my own identity.
Joti > What films and serials are you doing?
Raju Srivastav > Films -- Ram Gopal Varma's Nimmy , and other films called By Chance, Darr . As for the TV serials- I don't have any now. I used to act in Shaktiman, Dekh Bhai Dekh etc. I have my VCD in the market, it's called Hason Hasao - 1, Hasaon Hasao -2, and Agar Magar Lekin .
Urvi > You are not from Mumbai so why do you call yourself a Mumbaikar?
Raju Srivastav > I have never claimed that. I think you are probably referring to the presentation made by the anchor on the programme - Laughter Challenge She presented me as a Mumbaikar.
Sign Off Message > Please pray for me. And Hason Aur Hasao (laugh and make others laugh)!
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