Delhiites managed to entertain themselves with a few laughs on Sunday night. All thanks to stand-up comedian Holy Krao, formerly known as Kunal Rao. Rao got together with Sahil Shah to tickle the city’s funny bone. Kunal, who has been a performer at Mumbai Comedy Store and been a part of Channel V Bollywood OMG, Ghanta Awards, Naked Comedy Festival, Pant on Fire and many more, left the audience in splits with his so called ‘traditional stand-up act’ Holy Krao at Cafe Morrison. The act was produced by Joke, Joker, Jokest.
Why does he call it ‘traditional’? ‘Well, the jokes come from my own experiences. I have been a butt of joke regularly in my friends’ circle due to my habits. Like since I am a south Indian and a vegetarian, I love rasam and sambhar, but people do not understand the difference between the two,’ Kunal quipped.
Two of his best jokes which took the cherry were how he is branded ‘uncool’ for being a CA by profession and how his father still writes all salutations in texts he sends him. ‘My father starts the text with ‘dear son, hope this message finds you in good health’ and ends with ‘lots of love, regards, your father’,’ he says.
Sahil Shah, a newbie in the comedy circuit, opened the show and enchanted everyone by playing upon his Gujarati origin.
How did a CA turn comedian? ‘It happened to me by chance. I was in touch with Sorabh Pant, a fellow comedian and often participated in open mic with him. Gradually I made the shift when I found that I would be suited for it. My parents went into a state of shock when they got to know about my decision,’ Kunal said.
Three years into the business, from where does he derive the inspiration for fresh jokes? ‘Comedy is a lot about trial and error and a bit about daily observation. For example, I drove from Gurgaon to Delhi which almost took me three hours. Now if you travel from Delhi to Mumbai, it would only take you two and a half hours. Just imagine,’ he noted.
Is shift in career lucrative enough? ‘Certainly there is a remarkable boom in the comedy market today. After a long stressful week, people want to have a few laughs along with their daru. Everyone wants humour and laughter in their lives. Although it’s expanding, but the monetary difference cannot be ruled out. See, it’s like comparing a vegetarian tikka to a chicken tikka. They are the same dish but taste different. The same is the case here,’ he signed off.
Why does he call it ‘traditional’? ‘Well, the jokes come from my own experiences. I have been a butt of joke regularly in my friends’ circle due to my habits. Like since I am a south Indian and a vegetarian, I love rasam and sambhar, but people do not understand the difference between the two,’ Kunal quipped.
Two of his best jokes which took the cherry were how he is branded ‘uncool’ for being a CA by profession and how his father still writes all salutations in texts he sends him. ‘My father starts the text with ‘dear son, hope this message finds you in good health’ and ends with ‘lots of love, regards, your father’,’ he says.
Sahil Shah, a newbie in the comedy circuit, opened the show and enchanted everyone by playing upon his Gujarati origin.
How did a CA turn comedian? ‘It happened to me by chance. I was in touch with Sorabh Pant, a fellow comedian and often participated in open mic with him. Gradually I made the shift when I found that I would be suited for it. My parents went into a state of shock when they got to know about my decision,’ Kunal said.
Three years into the business, from where does he derive the inspiration for fresh jokes? ‘Comedy is a lot about trial and error and a bit about daily observation. For example, I drove from Gurgaon to Delhi which almost took me three hours. Now if you travel from Delhi to Mumbai, it would only take you two and a half hours. Just imagine,’ he noted.
Is shift in career lucrative enough? ‘Certainly there is a remarkable boom in the comedy market today. After a long stressful week, people want to have a few laughs along with their daru. Everyone wants humour and laughter in their lives. Although it’s expanding, but the monetary difference cannot be ruled out. See, it’s like comparing a vegetarian tikka to a chicken tikka. They are the same dish but taste different. The same is the case here,’ he signed off.