One has to learn to manage fame, says Singapore-based stand-up comic Sharul Channa, in Chandigarh for a show, about the Allahbadia controversy – CarbonMedia
Home Entertainment One has to learn to manage fame, says Singapore-based stand-up comic Sharul Channa, in Chandigarh for a show, about the Allahbadia controversy

One has to learn to manage fame, says Singapore-based stand-up comic Sharul Channa, in Chandigarh for a show, about the Allahbadia controversy

“You don’t choose comedy, it chooses you,” says Sharul Channa, a well-known stand-up comic, who is in Chandigarh for a show. Girls aren’t taught to tell jokes but be pretty, be demure and cook well. Things might be changing, yet, largely, in North India, gender distinction exists still, believes Sharul. Chandigarh has been a staple of her growing up years, as her Singapore-based parents duly brought all their children to India to visit relatives every year, so that they could be street-smart. “Not that we were allowed to go on the streets ever,” Sharul laughs.

Love for the stage

A trained theatre artiste, around 13 years back, Sharul was asked by the owner of a club in Singapore to do a three-minute slot. Apprehensive to begin with, she loved every second of being on stage. “It’s like the best job ever—you are your own writer, director and producer. Just take your money and leave, no big organisations controlling you, it’s so liberating.”

She’s been a fan of Jaspal Bhatti, Johnny Lever and Umar Sharif of Bakra Qiston Pay fame. “When I started with comedy, Singapore had character comedians but in the stand-up space there was only Kumar, a drag queen, who was hilarious!”

Sharul does theatre, but largely comedy shows now. Two of her solo plays deal with significant themes. Am I old? is about single women who have been lifelong caregivers to the parents, but when they pass on, these women are left alone and that too in their later years. Her other monologue, Crazy Poor Sita, is about supporting women in low income families. “In Singapore, we have invisible poverty. The challenges of this social strata are specific.”

No women comics

One of the very few female comedians, she says, “Chandigarh has a bustling comedy scene, but except Gurleen Pannu no woman’s name ever comes up. It’s unfortunate that the comedy scene is dominated by men,” she says.

Back to Chandigarh, she sees the same warmth and crazy good food each time. “It’s so difficult to stay thin with such delicious food around. All whom I know would say, ‘Suit khulne ditte hain’ (given suits to the tailor to loosen them),” she jokes. However, she also sees brands taking over. “Everyone in Chandigarh has a Louis Vuitton, the brand should open a factory here. I rarely see the Phulkari or manjiyan (charpoys) – I wish they stay a part of life too and not become antiques.”

Best of both worlds

Proud of her Indian roots and life in Singapore, Sharul states, “I have best of both the worlds. This year Singapore-India celebrate 60 years of their friendship, which is so special to me. Both very diverse, I love the warmth of Indians and am amazed how the government of Singapore has ensured cohesiveness in a multicultural society.”

Sharul has performed in Chandigarh before and is really looking for her gig today. At the Laugh Club-26, called Sharul Channa Live, it will comprise jokes from her life, being married and jibes on mother-in-laws. Though an English stand-up comic, she sure is looking forward to add some Hinglish tadka to it, now that she’s in Chandigarh!

Forgive Ranveer Allahbadia

On the recent Ranveer Allahbadia controversy, Sharul says, “Every artiste has said inappropriate stuff on stage; it’s part of the growth or the journey. But one has to learn to manage fame; it comes with its highs and lows. Yet, I believe the voice should always be raised for the right cause. Back to Ranveer, if he has apologised, forgive him, beshak censorship kal se laga do.” She stresses on the value of empathy in every profession, including comedy too. As for her, she refrains from joking about rape or natural disasters. “If it has happened to you personally, only then you can talk about it,”

she says.

Original Article