Talktime | ‘Staying safe need of the hour’

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Talktime | ‘Staying safe need of the hour’

Sunday, 30 May 2021 | Shalini Saksena

Talktime | ‘Staying safe need of the hour’

Appurv Gupta | Aka Guptaji has been busy answering SOS messages and helping those in need. The comedian speaks with Shalini Saksena about how this initiative started

How tough has it been for you during the last one year?

In April 2021, my shows that were booked started getting cancelled one by one. Then things came to a head. Mid-April I read a Twitter SOS asking for help. And I thought what was the point of so many followers if I was not in a position to help those in need. The tweet that I got, I forwarded the same and that’s when I started getting more SOS messages. There were so many that it was impossible for me to reply to all. That’s when I created a separate ID and asked my fans and friends to please help. We thn created a team in every city to help those in need. This helped to streamline things. Also, the situation is much better today than what it was in April. But the good part is that we were able to help quite a few people.

What is keeping you busy?

I am just staying safe and keeping indoors. This last one year has been full of stress and tension. Last year, In March was probably the last time that I had my show without any worry. Then things picked up a little after six months — I did a few shows. The New Year brought hope and I felt things were looking up. Then the second wave hot us and we are even in a worse situation today as compared to how things were in May 2020. It has been a nightmare as a stand-up comedian but there’s a silver lining. Things are good around where we live; that’s the only positive that there is to this for now

How did you get involved with the social cause?

Like I said, I got an SOS message on Twitter — that started it all. My day starts with talking to volunteers in each city to see what more can be done to help people in need. Then, if I have time and I feel the inclination, I sit down to write or try to make videos; there is so much negativity around us today. There is need to keep our spirits high. . Then again I go back to reading messages. This is what I have been doing for the last 30-40 days.

What are the challenges you have been facing in trying to help people?

The main challenge these days Is to verify information. There is so much fake information that is circulating over the Internet that is is tough to verify each and every one of them. But we do our best to verify each one but sometimes it is just not possible due to the sheer number of queries we get. One has to be sure that the information being sent to the person who needs it is genuine; one can’t lose a single second — each life is precious. Then, there is the gap between demand and supply.

Do you think that stage shows are thing of the past?

Definitely, stage shows won’t be happening for the next few months. Maybe after six-eight months when when a large population has been vaccinated, there is a chance to hold such shows. Otherwise it will take a year or 18 months for things to get back to being like it used to be in 2018-19.

From an engineer to stand up comedian, how has the journey been?

I enrolled for engineering in 2008 and soon realised it's not my cup of tea. That’s when I started exploring other avenues and I ended up doing stand-up. It was a new concept back then and I was skeptical whether it would work for me. I gave myself two years. and decided if it didn’t work I would do my MBA. Luckily everything fell in place. A video went viral in 2013 and there was no looking back. I was doing 12-14 shows; sometimes I would end up doing two shows back to back. It was an exciting phase; kind of a roller coaster ride.

Why is it that most stand up comedian are engineers?

Because many people realise its not they want to explore options. It is important o follow one’s passion. Most of the engineers are either stand-ups, musicians, writers, authors,  and even actors. PUrsuing engineering gives you an opportunity to think what you want to really do in life.

Why did you not continue with Mudde ki Baat?

I started doing Mudde Ki Baat in 2015 and it was a great concept. But the idea was probably ahead of its time. India ke liye woh thoda jaldi thha. I think abhi karta toh sahi hota. Maybe I will start it again.

What are the plans for this year?

For now, the important thing is to keep safe; that’s the need of the hour. Folow the protocol — wear a mask and maintain social distancing. If there is one thing that the present pandemic has taught us is that there is no point in planning ahead. You never know when things will turn for the worse again. However, I am working on a couple of things that people will get to listen in next few months. Appurv Gupta | Aka Guptaji has been busy answering SOS messages and helping those in need. The comedian speaks with Shalini Saksena about how this initiative started, how he got into stand-up and why he doesn’t want to now plan for the future

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