21022025-LSTL-01.qxd 2/21/2025 12:21 AM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Stage again Life Actress Neha Dhupia recently opened up about her return to the stage after a seven-year hiatus. On Instagram, she expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to perform a recital and a dance. LUDHIANA | FRIDAY | 21 FEBRUARY 2025 Beyond @beerbiceps “Y Mona OU don’t choose comedy, it chooses you,” says Sharul Channa, a well-known stand-up comic, who is in Chandigarh for a show. Girls aren’t taught to tell jokes but be pretty, be demure and cook well. Things might be changing, yet, largely, in North India, gender distinction exists still, believes Sharul. Chandigarh has been a staple of her growing up FORGIVE RANVEER ALLAHBADIA One has to learn to manage fame, says Singapore-based stand-up comic Sharul Channa, in Chandigarh for a show, about the Allahbadia controversy years, as her Singaporebased parents duly brought all their children to India to visit relatives every year, so that they could be streetsmart. “Not that we were allowed to go on the streets ever,” Sharul laughs. LOVE FOR THE STAGE A trained theatre artiste, On the recent Ranveer around 13 years back, Allahbadia controversy, Sharul says, “Every artiste has said Sharul was asked by inappropriate stuff on stage; it’s part the owner of a club in of the growth or the journey. But one Singapore to do a has to learn to manage fame; it comes three-minute slot. with its highs and lows. Yet, I believe Apprehensive to the voice should always be raised for begin with, she the right cause. Back to Ranveer, if loved every second he has apologised, forgive him, of being on stage. beshak censorship kal se laga do.” “It’s like the best job She stresses on the value of ever—you are your empathy in every profession, own writer, director including comedy too. As for her, and producer. Just take she refrains from joking about rape or natural disasters. “If it your money and leave, no has happened to you big organisations controlpersonally, only then you ling you, it’s so liberating.” can talk about it,” She’s been a fan of Jaspal she says. Bhatti, Johnny Lever and PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI Umar Sharif of Bakra Qiston c m y b Pay fame. “When I started with comedy, Singapore had character comedians but in the stand-up space there was only Kumar, a drag queen, who was hilarious!” Sharul does theatre, but largely comedy shows now. Two of her solo plays deal with significant themes. Am I old? is about single women who have been lifelong caregivers to the parents, but when they pass on, these women are left alone and that too in their later years. Her other monologue, Crazy Poor Sita, is about supporting women in low income families. “In Singapore, we have invisible poverty. The challenges of this social strata are specific.” NO WOMEN COMICS One of the very few female comedians, she says, “Chandigarh has a bustling comedy scene, but except Gurleen Pannu no woman’s name ever comes up. It’s unfortunate that the comedy scene is dominated by men,” she says. Back to Chandigarh, she sees the same warmth and crazy good food each time. “It’s so difficult to stay thin with such delicious food around. All whom I know would say, ‘Suit khulne ditte hain’ (given suits to the tailor to loosen them),” she jokes. However, she also sees brands taking over. “Everyone in Chandigarh has a Louis Vuitton, the brand should open a factory here. I rarely see the Phulkari or manjiyan (charpoys) – I wish they stay a part of life too and not become antiques.” BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Proud of her Indian roots and life in Singapore, Sharul states, “I have best of both the worlds. This year SingaporeIndia celebrate 60 years of their friendship, which is so special to me. Both very diverse, I love the warmth of Indians and am amazed how the government of Singapore has ensured cohesiveness in a multicultural society.” Sharul has performed in Chandigarh before and is really looking for her gig today. At the Laugh Club-26, called Sharul Channa Live, it will comprise jokes from her life, being married and jibes on mother-in-laws! ‘I still get maar from my mom’ Bollywood heartthrob Vicky Kaushal has talked about how so much has changed around him over the years, but that he still gets maar from his mother, which has not changed till date. It was in 2012 when Vicky started his journey in acting with Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana. His first leading role was in the independent drama Masaan in 2015, following which he starred in Anurag Kashyap’s psychological thriller Raman Raghav 2.0. About how he’s been the same person since his maiden film to now considering so much has changed around him, Vicky said, “One thing that hasn’t changed till date is that I still get maar from my mom. And till the day that’s going to be there, everything’s going to remain the same.” — IANS VICKY KAUSHAL