Chat Transcript: Sunil Pal

Transcript of LIVE INDIATIMES CHAT with Stand-up comedian Sunil Pal at 12 noon on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 in Mumbai

Sunil Pal
Stand-up comedian

"It was a challenge to make Shekhar and Sidhu laugh. And when they gave me a standing ovation, I was overwhelmed"


Sumeet > Sunil, you are doing a great job. Tell me something about yourself and how you managed to get into this line. We saw you on the great Indian laughter challenge, but you must have started working much before that.
Sunil Pal > Namaskar. I started (doing comedies) right from my school days. I was born in Chandarpur (Maharstahtra). My dad worked for the Railways so he had a transferable job. When I came to Vardha district (Maharashtra) I joined a junior college there. I used to ape my teachers, film actors, friends etc. Then came to Bombay (Mumbai) towards the end of 1995. I got a chance to do world tour for the Lagaan team and accompanied Aamir Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Priety Zinta on such shows. In 2000, I did a world tour with singer Sonu Nigam. And met Neeraj Vohra (he is a writer). He had written for films like Hungama etc. He was making a comedy film named Dil Sachha Chera Jhoota and gave me a role of Arjun Rampal's friend. My second film is Hera Pheri part 2 where I have worked with Johnny Lever. Both films are yet to be released.

Sumeet > How has winning (comedy show) the Laughter Challenge changed your life?
Sunil Pal > It brought about a very big change. I dreamed of fame, money etc and achieved all that. Earlier I used to go after actors to take their autographs. Now people do the same with me.

Rakhi > Are you doing any films? Which ones? And what sort of roles are you doing in films?
Sunil Pal > I am doing the above named films. I am doing comedies in both.

Himani > How did you come about doing the promos of the film, No Entry ?
Sunil Pal > I got it after I won the Laughter Challenge . It gave me a chance to work with filmmaker Bonney Kapoor.

Farah > Is it true that you don't want to be restricted to comedies only? Why?
Sunil Pal > I want to do other roles besides comedies. But comedy is my first love and I won't ever quit it. But I do want to do other roles also.

Etti > Do you think the audience will accept you in serious roles in films because you have an image of a comedian now?
Sunil Pal > I appreciate that people like me. Let me try and do a serious role. We will only know the results after that. Actors like Rajpal, Vijay Raaz (known for comedies) also do serious roles. It's not necessary that people don't like to give a chance to a comedian to portray serious roles. And if they do reject me then I will continue with comedies. However, even if people appreciate my serious roles, I will continue doing comedies.

Nama > When did you come to Mumbai? How many years did you struggle in Mumbai before making it big? What were you doing in that time to sustain yourself in such a big city?
Sunil Pal > I came to Mumbai in 1995 and struggled for three years. I was working at a tea stall at Santacruz as waiter. Those days I'd sleep on the footpath. And I used to use the telephones of a nearby shop to keep in touch with my contacts in film industry.

Bang > Where are you originally from? Aren't you a Bengali? What was your family's reaction when you left your hometown to take up stand up comedy as a career? Now what is their reaction?
Sunil Pal > I am originally from Maharashtra. But I like the Bengali culture. Actually I like all cultures. When I set out for Mumbai to try in films I did not tell my family about what I was going to do. My family members do not know much about films. So I just told them that I would take up a regular work in Mumbai. But some relatives later came to know that I was trying for films and was seriously thinking of making a career in mimicry. This they thought was a foolhardy step. I did some shows and started making a living. My parents then changed their attitude. Still, they wanted me to find a permanent job for a decent living because they did not have any faith in the longevity of a career in films. But I convinced them saying that one day I'd be able to achieve a lot as a stand-up comedian. Now my parents and friends are very happy, especially when they hear or read about me in the media.

Prody > What sort of interaction did you have with Shekhar Suman and Navjyot Singh Sidhu, the two celeb hosts of the show the Great Indian Laughter Challenge ? Did they give you any tips?
Sunil Pal > All (participants) of us were happy to see them. Their name is so big. It was a challenge to make them laugh. When they gave me a standing ovation I was overwhelmed. I realised that higher a person grows in status, his heart becomes even larger than that. And therein lies the charm of the persona (humility). In the beginning there were no tips from them because all of us were equal for the judges. Later, they told us a bit about the entry and exit and what to do in the programme.

Abhi_12 > Hi Sunil, how did you come about training under Jimmy Moses, the younger brother of Bollywood comedian Johnny Lever?
Sunil Pal > I tried meeting Johnny Lever a few times. And one day I got the chance to meet him. I met him at the Filmistan Studio and showed him some of my own mimicry acts. He said that I was good but I needed to polish my acts. So he sent me off to his brother Jimmy Moses and I learnt a lot from him. I accompanied him to a lot of shows and picked up practical tips.

Hey > Hello Sunil, when is your date of birth? Who else is in your family?
Sunil Pal > My mom, dad and two younger sisters. Birthday is on May 2.

Sweety > Hi 'Hasi Ka Baadshah' , you have said you also worked part-time, driving a three-wheeler to earn some money. You were among the top six finalists. You will now host the new series of the reality comedy show called The Great Indian Laughter Champions . CONGRATUALATIONS!
Sunil Pal > The Great Indian Laughter Champions will continue for sometime. The show I am going to host hasn't been planned yet but I am hosting, whenever it happens.

Nafeesa > What was your winning formula.
Sunil Pal > Hard work, competitive attitude and I tried to strive for excellence to get a winning edge. I tried to better my performances.

Sign Off Message > Please keep showering me with your love. I will not disappoint you. And do give me your feedback. Also please do pray for me. I am obliged. Thank you - Sunil Pal.