This weekend, pioneering Indian comedian Papa CJ makes a comeback to the public stage in Mumbai after a hiatus of nearly a decade
Papa CJ in performance. PICS COURTESY/PRAKASH DANIEL
When today’s crop of Insta-famous corporate employee-turned-comedians were still in school, comedian Papa CJ (who holds an MBA degree from University of Oxford, by the way) was filling clubs across the UK after the Edinburgh Fringe in 2004. You could mistake Kolkata’s Chirag Jain aka Papa CJ for Keanu Reeves from afar, a seasoned corporate executive up close, and a Mumbai boy once you hear him talk. In an interview with mid-day before his comeback tour Still Standing Up, the comedian reveals that only one of those is a lie.
Excerpts from the interview.
Where has Papa CJ been, and what sparked this return? Will we see a new version?
Most of the gigs I do in India tend to be corporate and private gigs. So, Papa CJ has been out of the public eye but very much around. When the organisers approached me with this tour to celebrate my 20th anniversary in comedy, I told them if they put my name on a poster, I don’t know whether two people will show up or two thousand. You won’t see the same CJ you remember. You’ll see the older, fatter and greyer version. Hopefully, he’ll be as funny if not funnier.
As an Indian comedian who had to figure it out without a playbook, what have been some of the wildest experiences on stage?
I’ve performed at gunpoint in South Africa, been threatened with stabbing in the UK, and performed in an emergency ward of a hospital while a doctor was stitching someone up in Delhi.
As for getting into trouble, I once did a gig in Leicester where the organiser had given me permission to do explicit material. In spite of that, an audience member complained to the police about my performance. The following week, I got a call from Leicestershire Police, who after confirming I had done that material, invited me to perform at the Christmas party for 300 of their officers!
Tell us about Still Standing Up. What sparked the idea for it and what themes are you playing around with?
I’m a club comic at heart, and unlike the nicely edited reels you see online, this show will be a spontaneous, unpredictable mayhem of fun. This show will probably be different each time I perform it as I will be freestyling my way through crowd work, material and wherever the audience takes me.
Corporates often end up as the punchline in stand-up. Give us a peek into your world of corporate coaching?
My coaching draws a lot from my experience in comedy. One of my most popular global modules is called A Comedian’s Guide to Communication and Storytelling Strategy, in which I help leaders and businesses apply tools, techniques and strategies that are used effectively by international comedians. I also run strategy offsites for leadership teams at the highest levels, team-building sessions and many other learning modules.
You’re a Kolkata boy, but do you have any fond memories from Mumbai?
My mum is from Mumbai, and maybe it’s the way I carry myself, but most people tend to think I’m from this city. One of my fondest memories as a comedian in Mumbai was performing my show, Naked to a full house at Jamshed Bhabha Theatre at NCPA in 2016 and getting quite possibly the longest standing ovation of my life.
Where do you draw the line as a comedian?
I try to ensure I am never hurtful. I don’t mind people walking out thinking ‘He took my happiness,’ but I don’t want a single person walking out feeling bad. Secondly, I don’t talk about religion or Indian politics, which tend to be the two areas people feel most strongly about. Lastly, I only do live stand-up where my audience understands my persona, intent and the context.
What’s in the name? Tell us the story behind the Papa title.
I added the Papa to my initials because I thought ‘Angrezon ko bhi lagna chahiye ki unka koi baap hai.’ I used to secretly get kicks in my mind when all these white people kept calling me ‘Papa’.
Rapidfire with CJ
Social media fame: Yea or nay?
No. Please no. I’m not drawn to fame at all. While like all humans I like being appreciated for my work, I’m a private person and I think of fame as a prison. So, I’ll take a hard pass on the fame card.
What’s on your Netflix watchlist right now?
Drive to Survive
Friendly advice for young comedians?
Have fun; remember you’re not competing with anyone and most importantly, learn the trade before you learn tricks of the trade. A five-minute viral clip on the internet may help you fill up a theatre but it won’t teach you how to hold an audience’s attention and engage them.
ON August 23; 8 pm
AT Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex.
LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com
ENTRY Rs 999 onwards
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