The standard of laughter shows or comedy serials is at an ebb. The quality of jokes or comic situations is so pathetic that laughter shows are a tragedy. We agree that making someone laugh is a tough job but when you choose to make it your business you need to rise above the mediocrity that is settling in. So when someone like Rajiv Nigam comes in there is a whiff of fresh air. Rajiv has managed to keep humour alive and kicking in an environment which is burgeoning with weak artistes and even weaker scripts.

Rajiv, the first runner-up of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge 2, is sure to bring a smile to your face in Sahara One’s Comedy Champions. Rajiv is not just a participant on the show he is also the creative director of the show.

The man, who used to write scripts for Shekhar Suman on Movers & Shakers, speaks on his new role, what ails stand-up comedy and a lot more.

Excerpts from an interview:

Comedy Champions promised fresh jokes but we’ve seen the same old stuff at the launch.
There’s no denying it. The entire (comedy) scenario presents a bleak picture. Business interests have taken over quality. The same stuff is dished out daily. No one is bothered to look into this mess. Personally, it’s always been my endeavour to provide new jokes to the viewers. I can’t speak for others, but for me it’s about living up to my high standards. You can’t do justice to your craft by way of repetition.

The channels argue that they are merely catering to public demand. Do you endorse the same?
This is completely false. Our poor viewers are helpless. They simply have no choice but to watch any nonsense.

With you as creative director, will things change on Comedy Champions?
Well, that is my primary job here. It was only later on that they requested me to participate as well. I have been directed to produce fresh content from my colleagues. I have been given full authority but at the end of the day there’s only so much that an individual can do.

Are you trying to suggest that there were ego clashes?
Most of these guys are my colleagues. For them, I’m a friend first and then a creative director. Naturally, creative differences occur but I make them understand that my advice will only help them. It’s difficult when you’re dealing with your own colleagues. After all, some of them are senior to me and so it needs to be done tactfully.

With a majority of the other artists being average performers, viewers may not watch the show. Wouldn’t that be a loss for you?
That’s true and unfortunately, I can’t even comprehend it. Our viewers are intelligent enough to judge between good and bad. At the same time, they would watch the show because of the few good artists like me. It’s still too early to say. We’ll know the results soon.

Comedy today has become sexist. Many of comedians, more so the Pakistani ones, deal in such toilet humour. Do you agree?
You’ve hit the nail on the head. A lot of people share the same view.

You’ve publicly mocked at the Pakistanis saying that any Tom, Dick and Harry from there is coming to India.
Yes, I needed to make a statement and I did so very tactfully. Having said that, Pakistani or not, any genuine talent should be encouraged.

You seemed to be very disappointed after you lost to Rauf Lala in Laughter Challenge 2.
I wasn’t that disappointed with the result but was livid that I lost to an opponent who wasn’t all that good. I wouldn’t have minded losing to Pakistanis of the caliber of Irfan Malik or Ali Hasan. In fact, at one stage, I even considered quitting stand-up comedy.

It was buzzed that even Shekhar Suman wasn’t happy with your loss?
My association with him goes back to Movers & Shakers days. He never said anything but he let me know of his disappointment through meaningful glances. Obviously, he couldn’t say much as he too had to honour his commitments with the channel.

What is your contribution to Shekhar Suman’s success?
Honestly speaking, it’s wrong to say that I was instrumental in his success. Shekhar Suman is a self-made man. I can assure you that no one else would have done justice to my writings more than Shekhar. Then I was a writer and was happy to be at the back end.

Looking at stand-up comedy today, how much does a writer contribute to an artist’s content?
If you are having your own (daily) show, then there is team of writers supporting you in formulating the content. However, when you’re performing for 10-15 minutes in a stage show then you should be able to write your jokes. After all, you get enough time to prepare for such shows which occur for a few days in a month.

Finally, how essential is education for a good stand-up comedian?
90 per cent of stand-up comedians in the industry are illiterate. Illiteracy is a curse to this craft. A newspaper is a great asset for a comedian. But seldom do any of our guys read it. A newspaper helps you broaden your mind. Besides, you might give them a good script but again they are incapable of reading it. Thus you will only end up cracking senseless jokes on mothers and sisters.