So, sometime early last year, Bhargav Ramakrishnan or Baggy as he’s better known, turned 30 and that’s when he realised adulthood had hit him. “It was significant to feel like an adult, finally. There were myriad emotions running in my mind and I started to write them down,” he says. That’s how Baggy’s first solo special shaped up. “I ended up writing a 100-minute comedy show and started touring with it last July. Titled Kungfu Bonda, it’s sure to make you roll on the floor.”
After nearly 40 shows across cities in India and Malaysia, Singapore and the UK, Kungfu Bonda is coming to town this weekend. Baggy is excited about his first show in Madurai. “I’ve never performed in Madurai before and am curious to know how the market for stand-up comedy is evolving in small towns. Kungfu Bonda has gained popularity over the past year. One reason for the show’s acclaim is that people easily identify themselves with the topic — growing old.”
As a typical Chennai boy, Baggy signed up for Engineering but was always interested in the Arts. “Right from my college days, I was active in theatre. After joining arts company Evam in 2011, I came up with a show that could be easily transported and performed in any given space,” he says. “Unlike a typical play that involves logistic issues like props, sets and a background, my show was minimal in every sense. By that time, stand-up wasn’t popular in India except in maybe Delhi or Mumbai and we called our solo shows as comedy monologue. As I approached it from a theatrical perspective, I used to direct people in comedy monologues.”
Attending ‘The Weird Ass Pyjama Festival’ in Mumbai in 2014, opened up a world of opportunities for Baggy. “I was exposed to the sheer variety in stand-up comedy and met many performers from India and abroad. I was someone who always liked being on stage and that’s when I realised that it’s high time I wrote and acted in a show on my own.” Ever since, Baggy has become one of the popular names in Chennai’s stand-up scene.
“Stand-up is a humble and spontaneous art form and is the opposite of elitist comedy. It comes from the open mike culture and offers an opportunity for anyone who wants to give it a shot. Moreover, stand-up is much about personal funny experiences that one shares and that’s why I love doing it ,” beams Baggy. “The show Kungfu Bonda retires in September, after which there will be no live performances. I will shoot it and release it online.”
The show, organised by Eight-O-Eight, is on at JC Residency, Lady Doak College Road on July 15, 6.30 pm. Tickets are priced at ₹499 and 750 and are available on baggythecomic.com. For more details call 7373000034, 8892750257
