Papa CJ has done many firsts – He has done over 2,000 shows in more than 25 countries and was the first comedian from India to perform at the Just for Laughs Festival in Canada, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, the Sydney Comedy Festival, the Perth Comedy Festival, the Shared History Festival in South Africa and the Just for Laughs Festival in London. He is also the first Indian comedian to have performed to a sold out crowd at the Sydney Opera House and has starred in a solo stand-up comedy special with Comedy Central Asia. One of the early birds who took to the ‘funny’ art form years before it became fashionable, Papa CJ started doing stand up comedy in London in 2004 and did 700 shows before moving back to India at the end of 2007. Papa CJ was also instrumental in starting the English language comedy circuit in early 2009, the fruits of which can be seen in the form of stand up comics who have earned popularity now.
He is now headed to Goa and will be performing ‘Live and Uncensored’ on January 25, 2018 at The Crown Goa, Panjim, 7:30 pm onwards. Like a proud father who knows his kids have grown up and are now self-sufficient, Papa CJ is transitioning from the comedy business to the happiness business. He says, “They say happiness is found where three things meet – pleasure, challenge and meaning. I’d like to have more meaning in my work. That is why last year I launched The Papa CJ Happiness Project that has the specific aim of doing work that has a greater positive impact on people’s lives.” 2017 saw Papa CJ do a six-city fundraising tour that raised over 40 lakhs for 10 different charities. The year also ended with a unique laughter session for cancer patients and their carers.
When asked about how he views the present day comedy scene in the country, especially being one of the key persons who sort of triggered the circuit in India, he says, “I see a circuit that has immense passion and ambition. It’s wonderful to see not only the size of the circuit increase but also the variety of forms in which that increase manifests itself. Comedians today are doing live stand-up, improv, web series, character comedy, sketch, podcasts, films… it’s all wonderful to see. There are comedians whom I’ve seen playing small rooms and occasionally struggle. They are now selling out stadiums, doing huge international tours and getting millions of hits on online videos.”
The stand-up comedy culture exploded in the country about 5-6 years ago and since then comics have become popular and fashionable figures in India. The rage has also resulted in event organisers in Goa getting comedy gigs and if the response is anything to go by, then it’d be safe to say that Goa is just getting started. The comedy explosion has also inspired a few Goan comics to try their hand at the craft. Papa CJ has some advice for them: “There is no substitute for stage time so get up as often as you can. Focus on learning the trade before learning the tricks of the trade. Try and get good before you get famous. A three-minute online video with 20 million views will not teach you how to hold the attention of an audience ranging from age 18 to 80 from 25 different countries for an hour at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.”
When asked about what the Goan audience can expect from his show tomorrow, Papa CJ, without divulging much detail, says, “The show is called ‘live and uncensored’ and that is exactly what it will be. Do expect some trademark crowd interaction and beware! The front row!”
