Posted:
Of wit and humour
Posted online: Friday, May 05, 2006 at 0000 hours IST
Making people laugh is no joke. But STAR One embarked upon producing The Great Indian Laughter Challenge that brought funny people like Sunil Pal, Raju Shrivastav, Ahsaan Qureshi, Bhagwant Mann, Parag Kansara and Navin Prabhakar into limelight within a short span. Its tremendous success prompted the channel to launch The Great Indian Laughter Challenge II Laughter Ka Doosra Dose and unearth more comic talent. Screen catches up with Navjot Singh Sidhu, one of the jury and the contestants who were runners up in the earlier show for brief Q & A sessions. They were participating in the 'Wild Card Round'. Navjot Singh Sidhu What does The Great Indian Laughter Challenge II... set to achieve?
Standing under the spotlight and performing to a discerning panel of judges and a houseful audience is a daunting task. The ordeal to make people laugh is the challenge in this show. How are you finding the new contestants?
They are all worth their merit. People had voted for them. All said and done they abound in consistency and have the winning spirit.
I attribute success to being accountable to oneself and not to others. Then no one can stop one from climbing up the ladder of success. It is said that you are not charging a penny to appear in this show?
Everything cannot be weighed by money; relations also count. It is the feelings (bhawana) that matter. What is your prime motive in life?
There is no permanent name and fame than giving happiness to mankind. It is my prime endeavour to give happiness to mankind. How do you feel when you hear jokes being cracked on Sardars?
Chaand ke upar agar koi thookhe toh kya use daag lag sakta hai?
If more of us believed that - instead of taking 'offence' easily when the jokes are on us - the world would resound more often with laughter. Aamir Rambo (Pakistan) Aamir came to the entertainment field as a dancer. After eight years of performing dances that included classical, modern and breakdance and Pakistani shaqffi dance, Aamir chose to entertain people with his jokes. Whilst dancing he met a lot of people back stage who suggested that he switch to comedy Is this your original name?
No, my real name is Afzal Khan. Since my face has a resemblance to actor John Rambo, my friends nicknamed me as Aamir Rambo. How did you come to participate in this show?
A close friend of mine Zaheed Bazmi told me about an audition going on for this show at Eveready Pictures. I auditioned with Irfaan Malik but only I was selected. The owner Satish Anand later told me that I would have to go to Mumbai to participate in the show. And here I am. You were one of the runners up in the earlier show.
Yes, I was one of the runners up in the show held earlier. I didn't think of ever coming back but since I have come I am sure I shall go back rewarded. How do you conceptualise a particular item?
It is all through observation. I observe people, the way they speak, their body language and then prepare an item. Are you open to film offers from India?
(chuckles) Very much. I want to be a part and parcel of the Indian film industry. Rajendra Malviya He has been reciting humorous poems (hasya kavita) and is widely known as alas. He has been in the august company of people like Ramrik Manhar and Shail Chaturvedi. Now, Malviya wishes to have a wider audience and regale them with his witty pieces Can you narrate one small poem for us?
My pieces are generally long. But I will recite a small piece for you. Log kahte hain yeh bahut bada aalsi hai phir bhi inko do bacche hain. Main kehta hoon bacche to bhagwan ki den hain isme apna kya yogdan. What is your take on laughter artistes?
Laughter artistes are taken very lightly wherever they go. I am talking about me. My family never takes me seriously. Even if I say something grave, they treat it as a joke and laugh it off. Does it mean that we don't carry any pain. Dard jisme jitna jyaada bhara hoga, sach maniye utna bada woh muskartaa hoga. Vinod Bajaj He is adept at playing pranks and performing comedy skits since he was in class 4. Having performed on stage for the last 27 years, Bajaj is a totally energetic person. He is all geared up to try his hand at regaling and captivating audiences yet again How did you feel when you failed to make it to the semi final round last time?
I had no reaction. I felt that whatever decision was taken was right and went back satified that I had performed on a platform with a huge audience. What are your hopes this time?
I have come back to give my best. Let's see how much I succeed. You must have had some film offers?
Yes, years ago I did Sangam Hoke Rahega in which I had six to seven scenes. Unfortnuately the film has yet not seen the light of the day. Akesh Partha Partha has been into writing and reciting comic poems and taken part in many hasya kavi sammelans. Bubbling with confidence Partha is set to take the audience on a rip-roaring journey You've come here for the second time.
The earlier show gave me enough confidence and now I have returned with high hopes. I am sure I will win. What is your take on laughter artistes?
Laughter artistes are people who see the world from close quarters. Kuchh log zamane mein aise bhi to hote hain, mehfil mein toh hastein hain tanhai mein rote hain. I keep a strict watch on what is happening socially and when I find injustice happening I burst out with my satirical poems. What is your aim?
My main aim is to awaken people with my soul-stirring content. Subhani G / Hamid Kamal Better known as Dedh Matwale because of their opposite heights, Subhani and Kamal have been friends since they were in school. Established artistes in their own right, the duo auditioned for the show in Hyderabad and later came to Mumbai to participate What is the pattern of your performance?
We chalk out a story-based theme and prepare a skit in which we discuss about the same on stage through some comic overtones. Do you prepare and come on stage?
We chalk out a theme, write dialogues, rehearse and then come on stage fully prepared. There is nothing as an instant performance on a subject. You must be performing in and around Hyderabad.
Yes. We have also performed in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. People all over have appreciated our work that has been infusing confidence in us.
Posted online: Friday, May 05, 2006 at 0000 hours IST
Making people laugh is no joke. But STAR One embarked upon producing The Great Indian Laughter Challenge that brought funny people like Sunil Pal, Raju Shrivastav, Ahsaan Qureshi, Bhagwant Mann, Parag Kansara and Navin Prabhakar into limelight within a short span. Its tremendous success prompted the channel to launch The Great Indian Laughter Challenge II Laughter Ka Doosra Dose and unearth more comic talent. Screen catches up with Navjot Singh Sidhu, one of the jury and the contestants who were runners up in the earlier show for brief Q & A sessions. They were participating in the 'Wild Card Round'. Navjot Singh Sidhu What does The Great Indian Laughter Challenge II... set to achieve?
Standing under the spotlight and performing to a discerning panel of judges and a houseful audience is a daunting task. The ordeal to make people laugh is the challenge in this show. How are you finding the new contestants?
They are all worth their merit. People had voted for them. All said and done they abound in consistency and have the winning spirit.
Doesn't the second instalment of the show lack the punch of the first one?
Did you know that the first show was being launched? It grew as more and more people fell in love with it. And then who can forget his first love? First of anything will always be compared.
How should one conquer nervousness?
If nervous to an extent and alert at the same time one will definitely do well. If you are able to conquer fear you are bound to be a champion.
I attribute success to being accountable to oneself and not to others. Then no one can stop one from climbing up the ladder of success. It is said that you are not charging a penny to appear in this show?
Everything cannot be weighed by money; relations also count. It is the feelings (bhawana) that matter. What is your prime motive in life?
There is no permanent name and fame than giving happiness to mankind. It is my prime endeavour to give happiness to mankind. How do you feel when you hear jokes being cracked on Sardars?
Chaand ke upar agar koi thookhe toh kya use daag lag sakta hai?
If more of us believed that - instead of taking 'offence' easily when the jokes are on us - the world would resound more often with laughter. Aamir Rambo (Pakistan) Aamir came to the entertainment field as a dancer. After eight years of performing dances that included classical, modern and breakdance and Pakistani shaqffi dance, Aamir chose to entertain people with his jokes. Whilst dancing he met a lot of people back stage who suggested that he switch to comedy Is this your original name?
No, my real name is Afzal Khan. Since my face has a resemblance to actor John Rambo, my friends nicknamed me as Aamir Rambo. How did you come to participate in this show?
A close friend of mine Zaheed Bazmi told me about an audition going on for this show at Eveready Pictures. I auditioned with Irfaan Malik but only I was selected. The owner Satish Anand later told me that I would have to go to Mumbai to participate in the show. And here I am. You were one of the runners up in the earlier show.
Yes, I was one of the runners up in the show held earlier. I didn't think of ever coming back but since I have come I am sure I shall go back rewarded. How do you conceptualise a particular item?
It is all through observation. I observe people, the way they speak, their body language and then prepare an item. Are you open to film offers from India?
(chuckles) Very much. I want to be a part and parcel of the Indian film industry. Rajendra Malviya He has been reciting humorous poems (hasya kavita) and is widely known as alas. He has been in the august company of people like Ramrik Manhar and Shail Chaturvedi. Now, Malviya wishes to have a wider audience and regale them with his witty pieces Can you narrate one small poem for us?
My pieces are generally long. But I will recite a small piece for you. Log kahte hain yeh bahut bada aalsi hai phir bhi inko do bacche hain. Main kehta hoon bacche to bhagwan ki den hain isme apna kya yogdan. What is your take on laughter artistes?
Laughter artistes are taken very lightly wherever they go. I am talking about me. My family never takes me seriously. Even if I say something grave, they treat it as a joke and laugh it off. Does it mean that we don't carry any pain. Dard jisme jitna jyaada bhara hoga, sach maniye utna bada woh muskartaa hoga. Vinod Bajaj He is adept at playing pranks and performing comedy skits since he was in class 4. Having performed on stage for the last 27 years, Bajaj is a totally energetic person. He is all geared up to try his hand at regaling and captivating audiences yet again How did you feel when you failed to make it to the semi final round last time?
I had no reaction. I felt that whatever decision was taken was right and went back satified that I had performed on a platform with a huge audience. What are your hopes this time?
I have come back to give my best. Let's see how much I succeed. You must have had some film offers?
Yes, years ago I did Sangam Hoke Rahega in which I had six to seven scenes. Unfortnuately the film has yet not seen the light of the day. Akesh Partha Partha has been into writing and reciting comic poems and taken part in many hasya kavi sammelans. Bubbling with confidence Partha is set to take the audience on a rip-roaring journey You've come here for the second time.
The earlier show gave me enough confidence and now I have returned with high hopes. I am sure I will win. What is your take on laughter artistes?
Laughter artistes are people who see the world from close quarters. Kuchh log zamane mein aise bhi to hote hain, mehfil mein toh hastein hain tanhai mein rote hain. I keep a strict watch on what is happening socially and when I find injustice happening I burst out with my satirical poems. What is your aim?
My main aim is to awaken people with my soul-stirring content. Subhani G / Hamid Kamal Better known as Dedh Matwale because of their opposite heights, Subhani and Kamal have been friends since they were in school. Established artistes in their own right, the duo auditioned for the show in Hyderabad and later came to Mumbai to participate What is the pattern of your performance?
We chalk out a story-based theme and prepare a skit in which we discuss about the same on stage through some comic overtones. Do you prepare and come on stage?
We chalk out a theme, write dialogues, rehearse and then come on stage fully prepared. There is nothing as an instant performance on a subject. You must be performing in and around Hyderabad.
Yes. We have also performed in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. People all over have appreciated our work that has been infusing confidence in us.
Have you'll done any films?
Yes, we have worked in Lajja, Pyar Diwana Hota Hai, Hello Hyderabad.
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