Stand-up artists juggle comedy with socially relevant messages

For stand-up artist Sorabh Pant, a comedy gig comes with the opportunity to highlight issues related to the safety of women.

"I feel it is our responsibility to impart messages about issues in society, like for example those related to women's safety, during our shows. It is difficult to incorporate these messages in our act but we try to take out two minutes from our gig to talk to audiences about such issues," says Pant.

Pant along with another stand up comedian Aadar Malik is scheduled to perform 'Trip Tease' a comedy night in Gurgaon organised by Vivanta by Taj on June 28.

Anti-rape jokes and jokes on politicians who have been commenting on crime against women which are unacceptable by the modern society has been the crux of Pant's gigs off and on across the country.

"Sometimes it becomes difficult to incorporate jokes in a gig as stand-up comedy is about being spontaneous. So we have to be careful and judge the crowd before we make an issue based joke," says Pant.

Pant's comic style veers toward exaggeration, hyperbole and portrayal of accents. He has penned a second book on crimes against women in Delhi which is set for release next month.

"By the end of July, I will be releasing a book titled 'Under Delhi'. The book is based in Delhi and how women are fighting crimes against them in the city. It has got a lot of angry humour," Pant told PTI.

Agreeing that it is a tough topic to not only talk about but also write about, the comedian felt that he had to pen down a book to salute women who are fighting crime. 

Sourabh Pant was also a part of dna's ROFL week.