Close X
Saturday, November 16, 2024
ADVT 
Bollywood

I Want To Take Big Swings At Big Names: Indian-American Comedian Hasan Minhaj

Darpan News Desk IANS, 22 Aug, 2018 02:47 PM
    From speaking of his own identity crisis while growing up in the US as an immigrant, to picking on US president Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, to tackling Islamophobia, Hasan Minhaj likes to add current political and social issues to his comic narrative.
     
     
    The reputed Indian-American comedian says he is not afraid to take "big swings", and doesn't think "log kya kahenge", a Hindi phrase for "what will people say".
     
     
    "I am very lucky. I am in an incredible privileged position as a comedian in America and we are given certain protection. Despite the problems that the country has, we are given these incredible privileges and protections," Hasan told IANS over the phone.
     
     
    "I know a lot of journalists, activists and performers around the world who don't get that. So, I just feel incredibly grateful for the opportunities that I have," Hasan said before the release of Lionsgate Films' "The Spy Who Dumped Me" in India.
     
     
    He essays the role of Topher Duffer, a CIA Harvard alum in the movie -- an action thriller, starring Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon in comical roles. "And because I have those opportunities, I want to take big swings. I want to say things that I really feel about," he added when asked whether he thinks about the consequences before taking on big names on public platforms.
     
     
    After doing some gigs, Hasan got his big break when he became a part of "The Daily Show". But he found worldwide fame with his "Homecoming King", debuted Off-Broadway in October 2015. He then recorded a version of that show in January 2017 for his first Netflix special.
     
     
    Growing up in the US as a Muslim from Aligarh was a bumpy ride for Hasan. And he gave words to his story through "Homecoming King", filled with anecdotes of his struggle searching for his identity.
     
     
    Hasan was also applauded for roasting Trump at White House Correspondents' Dinner last April, an event Trump had refused to attend.
     
     
    He infuses a wide spectrum of issues to his stand-up acts, but says the content doesn't stem from an angry space.
     
    "I just think in my performance style, I am not particularly angry. I try to come out from a really honest place. Even when people disagree with me (and express themselves) via internet comments or even in the streets, they are like 'Look, I don't agree with you or I don't like the show but I don't dislike you. I see where you coming from'," he says.
     
     
    "I can live with that and I think that is a far more nuanced way to have a dialogue, especially in these times," Hasan adds.
     
     
    How does he look back at his struggle of finding a voice -- and his own identity -- in the country?
     
     
    "I think it is one of those things where, for the longest time, one of my goals was to make it as a simulation of American comedians. Just do everything you can to fit in and try to relate it to the audience," said the star.
     
     
    Looking back, he said: "In 'The Daily Show', Jon Stewart and Trevor Noah really push you to say what is your perspective and what is your take...That is the unique thing. That is the thing which breaks the chat.
     
     
    "Once I realised that, I was like, 'Oh, actually being generic, trying to play everybody, isn't very good for comedy or storytelling'. So, I just doubled down to the things which I really believe in and are a part of my identity," he said.
     
     
    Hasan wants to continue on the same path.
     
     
    "That is the most interesting thing. I think the best feeling which I have as a performer, when I share the project, is when people in the audience say 'I always felt that way' or 'Thank you for saying that' or 'You were able to put that in words'," he says.
     
     
    "That means a lot to me. It is so cool that in the US comedian special I got to put the concept like 'log kya kahenge'," he adds.

    MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

    PICS: Masaan Actress Shweta Tripathi's Unique Mehendi Has Elements Of Her Love Story

    PICS: Masaan Actress Shweta Tripathi's Unique Mehendi Has Elements Of Her Love Story
    Actress Shweta Tripathi chose a personalised henna design for her wedding as it depicts her real life love story with rapper Chaitnya Sharma aka SlowCheeta, whom she will wed in Goa on Friday.

    PICS: Masaan Actress Shweta Tripathi's Unique Mehendi Has Elements Of Her Love Story

    I'm Not Agent Of Any Political Party: Richa Chadha

    I'm Not Agent Of Any Political Party: Richa Chadha
    Actress Richa Chadha, who doesn't fear sharing her opinion on various issues on social media, says she is not an agent of any political party.

    I'm Not Agent Of Any Political Party: Richa Chadha

    Zero Is All Heart: A Heartfelt Post From Anushka Sharma As She Wraps Zero Shoot

    Zero Is All Heart: A Heartfelt Post From Anushka Sharma As She Wraps Zero Shoot
    Actress Anushka Sharma, who has wrapped up shooting for her upcoming film "Zero", has thanked the cast and crew for being a support system in making the project wholeheartedly.

    Zero Is All Heart: A Heartfelt Post From Anushka Sharma As She Wraps Zero Shoot

    I Like To Play Characters Which Are Complex And Not Cliched, Says Nawazuddin Siddiqui

    I Like To Play Characters Which Are Complex And Not Cliched, Says Nawazuddin Siddiqui
    Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who is gearing up for the release of the series "Sacred Games" on Netflix, says he likes to play complex and not cliched characters on screen.

    I Like To Play Characters Which Are Complex And Not Cliched, Says Nawazuddin Siddiqui

    My Main Aim In Life Is To Work Hard Now: Bobby Deol

    My Main Aim In Life Is To Work Hard Now: Bobby Deol
    Actor Bobby Deol, who has made a comeback on the silver screen after four years with the Salman Khan starrer "Race 3", says his main aim in life is to work hard and get good projects.

    My Main Aim In Life Is To Work Hard Now: Bobby Deol

    Sunny Leone Raises Voice Against Animal Testing For Her Cosmetics Brand

    Sunny Leone Raises Voice Against Animal Testing For Her Cosmetics Brand
    Actress Sunny Leone's cosmetics brand 'Star Struck by Sunny Leone' uses animal rights organisation PETA India's cruelty-free logo as it is against testing products on animals.

    Sunny Leone Raises Voice Against Animal Testing For Her Cosmetics Brand