Dr Jagdish Chaturvedi had no reason to reinvent himself. One of MIT Technology Review’s ‘35 innovators under 35’, not to mention an SIB Fellow, skilled ENT surgeon, actor, author and stand-up comedian, you would think he has exhausted his options. Yet, after two years on the stand-up stage, he says it is time to tackle new territory: the digital market.
While his last few shows drew heavily from his book, The Benefits of Failing Successfully , his upcoming show, Starting Troubles , pulls from his new web-series of the same name. “I speak about the troubles we have while starting new things. Often times, this accidentally starts trouble in the process,” he laughs. After debuting the show in his hometown, Bengaluru, back in July, he brings it to Chennai this weekend.
Fame and responsibility
The special draws from current happenings in society, and he tells us that the audience can expect a blend of humour, his ideologies, and a dose of sarcasm about societal happenings. In light of India’s second wave of #MeToo, the show’s theme fits well. With fellow comedians, such as Utsav Chakraborty and AIB’s Tanmay Bhat and Gursimran Khamba, being named online, Chaturvedi says constant “awareness, introspection, and reflection” are a must.
“Being recognised often gives people a false sense of entitlement, strengthening the belief that they can do no wrong,” he says. Urging well-established professionals to educate others about conduct in the face of fame, he adds that organisers, collectives, and show producers must take active measures to prevent harassment.
Laugh a lot
Chaturvedi’s beliefs largely emerge from his life inside the clinic. It is not the first time he has used learnings from one career to bolster the other.
“Not to sound clichéd, but laughter is really the best medicine. There’s a synergistic association between the two that produces a whole new experience for my patients and my audiences,” he explains.
While the laughs have helped make him more relatable to his patients, his South Indian roots help him feel right at home when in Chennai. “There’s naturally a lot of South Indian flair that gets incorporated into my shows, from local accents to situational comedies,” he smiles. The city’s receptive audience is part of what keeps him motivated as he takes on new challenges. “In the clinic, I don’t know what ailment my next patient will bring and on stage, I don’t know how my next audience will react. But the adrenaline rush that comes from treating someone, with medicine or a few big-bellied laughs? That’s what keeps me going,” he says.
Dr Jagdish Chaturvedi presents Starting Troubles on Sunday, October 14, at 7.30 pm, at Bay 146, Savera Hotel. For tickets, visit in.bookmyshow.com.
