Vir Das Speaks on Comedy and Censorship in India
Comedian Vir Das shared his thoughts on comedy and censorship during the Jaipur Literature Festival in Jaipur. He reflected on various topics including audience silence and creative challenges. Das is currently busy with two major releases.
Juggling Book and Film Releases
Vir Das is handling two big projects right now. He just finished his book, which he says will be his first and last. His latest film, Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, is also out. This film marks his directorial debut and features him in the lead role.
During the festival, Das answered questions with humor and openness. He talked about literature, cinema, and stand-up comedy.
Comedy Cannot Be Suppressed in India
When asked about freedom for comedians in India, Vir Das was clear. He said his jokes are the same everywhere, whether in India or abroad. Das rejected the idea that comedy can be curtailed in the country.
He pointed to India's large smartphone audience and young population. We have the quickest internet virality for comedy, he noted. Das believes it is impossible to suppress content in India because the audience is too large.
No matter how much someone tries to edit or censor, it won't work here, he added.
Trust in the Audience
Vir Das places his faith in audiences, especially young ones. He said there has never been a better platform for young artists than the Indian audience. Das is optimistic about Indian comedy because he trusts the audience completely.
He refused to prescribe what stories comedians should tell. I try to be authentically myself, Das explained. That is the best approach, he believes.
Silence as Satire
Das discussed the power of audience silence. He said silence is the best kind of satire. When an audience is silent, they communicate more than when they laugh.
He gave an example from Mumbai. If he says the roads in Andheri are well built, a Mumbai audience will be silent. That silence tells you everything, Das noted.
Comedians just say the words, but the audience tells people, he added.
Life as a Comedy Special
When asked about his life structured like a stand-up special, Vir Das laughed. He said his life is a comedy special, actually five comedy specials. Pressed further, he replied that he kept getting stupider and sillier, which is the best case scenario.
Film Success and Modest Scale
The conversation turned to his film Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos. Das emphasized its modest scale. He said they are less than the catering budget of a big film like Aditya Dharr's Dhurandhar.
Das called it a niche, absurd comedy. The team is happy with the opening numbers, which exceeded expectations. For a small film, they are in a happy space, he said.
Never Writing Another Book
Vir Das made it clear he will never write another book. He described it as a very tough task and expressed ultimate respect for authors. This book is just his stories and memories from a ridiculous life, not modified for the book.
During a session, it was recalled that his mother found the book too painful to read beyond the second chapter. Das said writing a book is far tougher than writing stand-up or films.
Kindness and Paying It Forward
Reflecting on his early years, Das spoke about learning kindness from senior actors. A random act of kindness can change somebody's life, he noted. He measures goodness by how people treat those with less power.
Today, Das tries to be accessible to younger comedians. If a young comic reaches out for help, he tries to be there for them.
Do Not Demonise the Audience
On backlash and divided audiences, Vir Das urged comedians not to demonise dissent. Try not to demonise the audience who does not enjoy your work, he said. He takes feedback with respect, even if he doesn't always take suggestions.
As he wrapped up at the Jaipur Literature Festival, Das reiterated that comedy is about listening as much as being heard.
