Weekend Exclusive | I love doing live shows: Raju Srivastva

He is widely popular as a fantastic Indian comedian, renowned for tickling our funny bone every time and anytime. Since many years he has been entertaining the Indian audiences with his sharp observations acute scrutiny and comical timing about various aspects of Indian life. This aspect has made him a leading artist in the comedy genre with a premium billing (amongst his peers). Meet Raju Srivastava, the most popular face in comedy shows on TV channels and one who needs no introduction.

Once again we can indulge ourselves in humorous acts along with Raju Srivastava - on Colors’ new offering ‘Nautanki’. Adgully caught up with him to know more about his career and life. Talking about his journey he says, “When I was young I used to watch drama and skits in Kanpur. Over a period of time I  began liking it very much and got carried away with comedy.”

On the Colours show, Srivastva will be seen as a guest artist in different characters, sometimes Gajodhar in UP style, Anna in South Indian style, even as Mulayam Singh, Rahul Gandhi & Lalu Yadav. Since live shows are performed in front of the audience and one gets to know audience reactions almost immediately, Srivastava always prefers live comedy shows on stage in different cities rather than films. Raju believes that in films once shooting has been done, it goes through long process like editing then dubbing etc before it comes in front of viewers. And still one does not know whether that film will work or not. Hence his first love is live shows and then TV.

While one gets an instant audience reaction, live show are not easy to perform. Says Srivastava, “Everything happens at one go in a live show and there are no shot retakes. It is hard work and we need to practice a lot. So it’s a challenge. I like accepting all kind of challenges and always look forward to it.” Live shows involve all kinds of settings and personalities which the audiences love.” It is now being done for the first time on television through the new show.”

Expressing his take on comedy as a genre, he said, “I feel comedy is a genre which has been running for a long time in our industry and is always evergreen, I agree with the fact that the concept and the presentation pattern has changed with the changing trends and as per the taste of new generation.”

Srivastava is of the opinion that there were not enough channels or technology earlier but today everything is in your hand. Today script writers don’t want to extend the shots or story; they want to present it to the point as audiences don’t like that. In olden times people use to enjoy long conversation and dialogues, but today no one likes that.

On being asked which is his favourite film, he says ‘Sholay’ and adds, when we were kids we used to sit for long hours to watch that film, I am surprised that today people do not prefer long hour films.”

On his favourite characters, he says, “I like playing characters that are attached to their soil; my favourites are Gajodhar, Manohar, Puttan and Lalan, I feel attached to common man like milkman, vegetable vendor, auto rickshaw driver etc. I can’t adjust myself to high profile people or setting and that’s why I don’t like attending high profile parties.”

In conclusion Srivastava says that comedy shows should be there and this genre should be further explored as people have loads of issues like inflation, corruption, personal problem etc. The comedy genre makes them happy and acts like a stress buster. So that is the best form of entertainment.