Anything for laughs... writes Niranjan Iyengar

All human beings are contradictory and I am no exception. After last week's column where I defended film song lyrics against the accusation of being diluted, I was surprised at my own vociferous view on what people find funny in today's world. Karan (Johar) recently hosted an event with Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor and a panel of names where they were all given mikes to rip each other apart. The tickets were steep and from what I hear the show was a big hit. "I know you don't appreciate this kind of humor but let me assure you it was very funny!" said Karan. A few weeks ago I was frothing at the mouth to him about an online promotional interview with Ranveer Singh, Parineeti Chopra and Ali Zafar where the interviewer made very nasty, personal remarks about them. When I asked Parineeti about it she shrugged it off with "I thought it was funny!" I couldn't believe that they were so willing to be humiliated on a public platform and that there was an audience that finds it amusing.

I fathom that `funny' is the new `cool' and everyone from columnists to chat show hosts to film writers are all under tremendous pressure to be `funny'. But when did making snide comments about weight, height, facial features, ethnicity, hair loss and several such physical attributes become funny? Clearly I have been living under some rock where the `light' of modern day humor was not shining! "It definitely has not been," said my close friend Ryan. "Loosen up! Be funny in your column! You are a film writer and a chat show host for heaven's sake, not Sri Sri Ravi Shankar!"

While his advice was direct and unarguably practical, I needed a second opinion. I called on Anuradha, another close friend for support. But I was shocked to know that she is a fan of stand up acts. How could someone who had similar thoughts, ideologies and opinions as mine enjoy `that' humor? "Why not?" she asked coolly. "It's a sign that we, as Indians are growing up! We have never had a sense of humour when it came to laughing at ourselves and I admire Ranveer, Arjun and Karan to be able to stand on stage and take jokes about them on the chin!" But is humiliating others' justified just because they are willing? "But who is asking for justification? It's about laughter!" she thundered. She was right. No one except me was seeking it and no one was giving any either as long as the tickets were sold out!

Maybe it's just me, I thought. I'm a probably a purist and have some old world notions about humor. Just when I was taking solace in that thought, a 70-year-old aunt of a cousin peered at me during a wedding and said, "I watched your chat show. It's nice. But be funny like Karan Johar. Crack more jokes! Tell your guests to be spicy!" Clearly it's time to come out from under the rock!!