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"Comedy isn’t just about laughs; it’s about turning everyday moments into stories that connect, resonate, and leave you smiling long after the punchline." |
1. Let’s start with your journey—what led you to pursue stand-up comedy, and how did you expand into podcasting as well?
I was in engineering college back in 2008, and I was terrified of public speaking. I had a very introverted personality and wanted to overcome that fear. While exploring options, I came across Toastmasters International, an organization that helps people improve their public speaking skills. I worked hard on my skills and gradually became more comfortable speaking in front of an audience.
In 2011, someone told me that stand-up comedy is the pinnacle of public speaking. Around the same time, I heard about an open mic. I went, but unfortunately, I didn’t get a spot that day. A few months later, I finally performed at Shooter Bar in South Ex. I came second and won ₹1000! The response was incredible—the laughter was amazing. That experience made me realize I should explore this further.
Luckily, I had a year left in college, so I focused on stand-up while finishing my degree. After graduating, I asked my parents for two more years to pursue it seriously. Thankfully, things fell into place. My videos started gaining traction online, and that’s how the journey began.
As for podcasting, I realized last year that while there were many podcasts on topics like astrology and horror, there weren’t many that were fun, light hearted, and chill. I wanted to create a space where people could talk openly while having a good time. That’s how my podcasting journey began, and thankfully, it worked out well.
2. Stand-up comedy and podcasting both require strong storytelling skills. How do you adapt your storytelling style for each medium, and what do you enjoy most about the differences between them?
Both stand-up comedy and podcasting are art forms that heavily rely on storytelling. The key in stand-up is to craft stories that make people laugh, which requires precision and effort. In contrast, podcasting is more relaxed—you can explore a story at your own pace without the pressure of getting immediate laughs.
In stand-up, every story needs to be sharpened and fine-tuned to elicit laughter consistently. In podcasting, the dynamic is different because there’s usually a guest involved, and the focus shifts to their experiences. Podcasts can be funny, but they don’t have to be. That freedom is what I enjoy most about podcasting—it allows for deeper, more meaningful conversations alongside humor.
3. Your comedy often touches on relatable topics from daily life. How do you choose which themes to tackle in your sets, and how do you keep your material fresh for returning fans?
My goal is simple: to make people laugh and ensure they have a great time. I want my comedy to feel relatable, like a classic movie such as "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro" or "Hera Pheri", where people think, "Yes, that’s so true!" I usually pick topics from everyday life—things that are funny, lighthearted, and don’t require too much introspection.
To keep my material fresh, I draw inspiration from my daily experiences. For instance, if something funny happens during an Uber ride or while watching a video, I turn it into a joke. My approach is to share what I find amusing and let the audience enjoy it with me.
4. In your podcasts, you cover a range of topics that go beyond comedy. How do you decide on podcast themes, and what’s your process for preparing episodes that are both insightful and entertaining?
I don’t stick to specific themes for my podcast. My main goal is to create an environment where my guests feel comfortable sharing their stories. I steer the conversation based on what they bring to the table. The priority is always entertainment, and any insights that emerge naturally are a bonus.
When two people have an honest conversation, there’s bound to be some wisdom shared. My focus is to keep the podcast fun and lighthearted, ensuring the guest and audience both enjoy the experience. The insights that come out of those discussions are a reflection of the guest’s journey, and they often resonate with listeners in unexpected ways.
5. Comedy in India is evolving quickly, and audiences have a wide range of tastes. How do you tailor your stand-up and podcast content to resonate with such a diverse audience?
Comedy is constantly evolving, and it’s impossible to keep up with the pace of change. Instead of chasing trends, I focus on staying true to myself and my personality. This allows me to connect with audiences who genuinely enjoy my work.
I believe it’s not necessary to cater to everyone. Instead, I focus on creating content for the audience that appreciates my style. If they enjoy it, they’ll spread the word, and the reach will grow organically. The goal is to make sure my existing audience feels valued and entertained every time they watch my shows or listen to my podcasts.
6. Balancing humor and deeper messages can be a fine line. Do you see your comedy and podcasting as a way to offer social commentary, or do you prefer to keep things light and purely entertaining?
For me, honesty is key. If I feel strongly about a topic, I might incorporate some commentary, but I never force it. Comedy is my way of making people laugh and providing relief from the stress of daily life. If deeper messages naturally arise from my work, that’s great, but my primary focus is entertainment.
I believe it’s important to stay true to yourself and your style, rather than trying to mold yourself to fit trends or expectations. This authenticity helps you connect with your audience and build something meaningful over the long term.
7. Every comedian has had a moment where a joke didn’t land as expected. How do you handle these situations on stage, and do you ever revisit and refine those jokes for future performances?
Absolutely, it happens to every comedian. When a joke doesn’t land, I’m honest with the audience and acknowledge it—it lightens the moment and builds trust. I spend time refining such jokes, figuring out what went wrong and how to improve them.
Sometimes, despite multiple revisions, a joke just doesn’t work. That’s okay—it’s part of the process. Not every joke will resonate with every audience, and some days the vibe might just be off. What’s important is to stay honest, learn from the experience, and keep moving forward.
My goal is simple: to make people laugh and ensure they have a great time. I want my comedy to feel relatable, like a classic movie such as "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro" or "Hera Pheri", where people think, "Yes, that’s so true!" I usually pick topics from everyday life—things that are funny, lighthearted, and don’t require too much introspection.
To keep my material fresh, I draw inspiration from my daily experiences. For instance, if something funny happens during an Uber ride or while watching a video, I turn it into a joke. My approach is to share what I find amusing and let the audience enjoy it with me.
4. In your podcasts, you cover a range of topics that go beyond comedy. How do you decide on podcast themes, and what’s your process for preparing episodes that are both insightful and entertaining?
I don’t stick to specific themes for my podcast. My main goal is to create an environment where my guests feel comfortable sharing their stories. I steer the conversation based on what they bring to the table. The priority is always entertainment, and any insights that emerge naturally are a bonus.
When two people have an honest conversation, there’s bound to be some wisdom shared. My focus is to keep the podcast fun and lighthearted, ensuring the guest and audience both enjoy the experience. The insights that come out of those discussions are a reflection of the guest’s journey, and they often resonate with listeners in unexpected ways.
5. Comedy in India is evolving quickly, and audiences have a wide range of tastes. How do you tailor your stand-up and podcast content to resonate with such a diverse audience?
Comedy is constantly evolving, and it’s impossible to keep up with the pace of change. Instead of chasing trends, I focus on staying true to myself and my personality. This allows me to connect with audiences who genuinely enjoy my work.
I believe it’s not necessary to cater to everyone. Instead, I focus on creating content for the audience that appreciates my style. If they enjoy it, they’ll spread the word, and the reach will grow organically. The goal is to make sure my existing audience feels valued and entertained every time they watch my shows or listen to my podcasts.
6. Balancing humor and deeper messages can be a fine line. Do you see your comedy and podcasting as a way to offer social commentary, or do you prefer to keep things light and purely entertaining?
For me, honesty is key. If I feel strongly about a topic, I might incorporate some commentary, but I never force it. Comedy is my way of making people laugh and providing relief from the stress of daily life. If deeper messages naturally arise from my work, that’s great, but my primary focus is entertainment.
I believe it’s important to stay true to yourself and your style, rather than trying to mold yourself to fit trends or expectations. This authenticity helps you connect with your audience and build something meaningful over the long term.
7. Every comedian has had a moment where a joke didn’t land as expected. How do you handle these situations on stage, and do you ever revisit and refine those jokes for future performances?
Absolutely, it happens to every comedian. When a joke doesn’t land, I’m honest with the audience and acknowledge it—it lightens the moment and builds trust. I spend time refining such jokes, figuring out what went wrong and how to improve them.
Sometimes, despite multiple revisions, a joke just doesn’t work. That’s okay—it’s part of the process. Not every joke will resonate with every audience, and some days the vibe might just be off. What’s important is to stay honest, learn from the experience, and keep moving forward.
8. With social media becoming crucial for content creators, how has it influenced your approach to both comedy and podcasting, and how do you connect with your audience across different platforms?
Social media has become an essential part of being a content creator. These days, it’s almost like a full-time job. Quantity often takes precedence over quality because algorithms favor consistency. To stay relevant, you have to figure out ways to create content regularly without compromising too much on your core vision.
I do feel this constant pressure to post affects the creative process, but it’s the reality we have to work with. It’s a balancing act—leveraging social media to connect with your audience while staying authentic to your craft.
Social media has become an essential part of being a content creator. These days, it’s almost like a full-time job. Quantity often takes precedence over quality because algorithms favor consistency. To stay relevant, you have to figure out ways to create content regularly without compromising too much on your core vision.
I do feel this constant pressure to post affects the creative process, but it’s the reality we have to work with. It’s a balancing act—leveraging social media to connect with your audience while staying authentic to your craft.
9. What advice would you give to aspiring comedians and podcasters trying to break into the industry today, especially in such a fast-paced, digital environment?
My advice is to focus on your craft and give it your all. Don’t jump into comedy or podcasting just because it seems glamorous. It takes years of effort to truly excel, so you need to be committed for the long haul.
Also, stay true to yourself. Don’t try to mold yourself into someone else’s style—it won’t feel authentic, and it will eventually drain you. Focus on building a genuine connection with your audience, and everything else will follow.
10. To wrap up on a lighter note, if you could host any guest on your podcast, living or dead, who would it be and why?
I’d love to host Steve Jobs. I’ve always been fascinated by his vision and the way he revolutionized Apple. It would be amazing to understand his thought process, his strategies, and his outlook on life. Podcasts have a unique ability to foster genuine, friendly conversations, and I think it would be incredible to connect with someone like him on that level.
My advice is to focus on your craft and give it your all. Don’t jump into comedy or podcasting just because it seems glamorous. It takes years of effort to truly excel, so you need to be committed for the long haul.
Also, stay true to yourself. Don’t try to mold yourself into someone else’s style—it won’t feel authentic, and it will eventually drain you. Focus on building a genuine connection with your audience, and everything else will follow.
10. To wrap up on a lighter note, if you could host any guest on your podcast, living or dead, who would it be and why?
I’d love to host Steve Jobs. I’ve always been fascinated by his vision and the way he revolutionized Apple. It would be amazing to understand his thought process, his strategies, and his outlook on life. Podcasts have a unique ability to foster genuine, friendly conversations, and I think it would be incredible to connect with someone like him on that level.
Bio :
Engineer turned Stand-Up Comic, Appurv Gupta a.k.a GuptaJi has one of the unique voices in the Stand-Up Comedy scene in India. Comedy Central says that he is India's leading Hinglish Stand Up Comic.
He regularly comes on NDTV,Sony and SAB TV. Forbes India had listed his name in the Forbes India Celebrity 100 Nominees list. Recently He is acted in a Bollywood movie along with Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Bhumi Pednekar. An Active Angel Investor who has touched over 500 Million plus Views on social media.
Interviews by : Shivam Sharma
Edited by : Shivam Sharma
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