OTT Internet gives wider reach but satisfaction more on stand-up shows: Comedian Shreeja Chaturvedi
Shreeja Chaturvedi was one of the 14 stand-up comedians who have performed on Over-the-top (OTT) platform Amazon Prime Video's show 'Amazon Funnies - Prime Day Special' on Aug 7. In an interaction with India Blooms correspondent Souvik Ghosh, Shreeja talks about online shows amid Covid-19, her interests and more
How excited are you about the show?
I am really excited because this is the first formal proper stand-up set of mine that will be going up online post Comicstaan. So I am definitely excited and mostly nervous.
(The interview was taken before the show)
Tell us how did you manage to maintain the sense of humour in life during the unprecedented lockdown this year amid Covid?
Basically there is not much humour in life right now. We just channelise humour with respect to whatever happens. We have to maintain the humour irrespective of what is happening around us.
How much the lockdown has affected the stand-up comedians in business terms?
The lockdown has taken away the two most important things for stand-up comedy, which are the performer and the audience. So there is no actual audience now. Obviously new avenues have opened up holding the hands of the internet over the last three-four months. We got a new platform and opportunity to explore. But dissatisfaction remains as we won't be able to perform in front of the audience.
What are the biggest advantages of going digital in holding shows?
Due to the internet, now one can just sit back at home and watch the shows. Obviously online shows are much wider. I can reach my audience at any given point across the country through the internet.
Do you think the digital medium in conducting shows will sustain even in post-Covid-19 era?
It's going to stay but I hope it doesn't affect the live stand-up shows because they are the most satisfying way of performing. But as we have now tapped this new area of performing, it will definitely stay like a lot of people prefer that.
Standup comedians often face backlashes for making political jokes. Do you think India is slowly opening up to political jokes or has it turned more intolerant towards it over the years?
Political jokes are still happening and I don't think they are going to go anywhere. I believe political humour has definitely evolved (in our country) and will keep evolving. It is definitely going to stay.
