Stand-up comedian Satish Perumal belonged to a strict defence family and was expected to be an engineer and take up a conventional job. That didn’t happen and he ended up pursuing a B.B.A and Masters in Advertising, while also balancing his cricketing interests. Now, a full-time stand-up comedian, Satish who quit his advertising job six months ago is happy with the diversity that life has offered him. “It was a struggle to convince my parents. I think they are okay with it now. I can now crack a ten-minute long joke on cricket like an insider, because I’ve played the game professionally. The variety has got me to learn more and explore more topics in my acts,” he says ahead of his stand-up act with Rajasekhar Mamidanna, Anurag Godugu and Arun Govada at Heart Cup Coffee, Jubilee Hills.
What does stand-up mean to him? “It means liberation. Regardless of my mood swings, I can express it all on the stage. It’s a wonderful outlet.”
He still prefers to be politically correct during his acts, staying away from topics like women, sex, religion or politics. He also does sufficient homework on the age-group he’s catering to. “That comes with experience. Initially, you talk about everything under the umbrella with everyone. For the young, I may be more open and for those in their 40s or 50s, I tend to be subtle. However, people belonging to the latter age-group are great sports, they have so many funnier experiences to talk about,” he mentions.
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Have there been instances where his spontaneity took a toll owing to political correctness? “There have been situations like that! It’s high time we be a sport about several issues, it does affect you. I wish we are more tolerant, but we have blown that word out of proportion in the recent times.”
Satish is happy to have graduated to a full-time stand-up-comedy career (he was balancing it with his advertising job). “Me and my counterparts would agree that we are following our passion rather than for the money that comes out of it. I couldn’t even stand my performances initially, but I’m confident now.”
Given his regular performances in Hyderabad, he feels the crowds here are now more aware of the open mic culture than before.
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Humour night
What: Comedy spotlight on Satish Perumal
When: March 4, 7 pm
Where: Heart Cup Coffee, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad