‘We have a dearth of female comedians’

Even as the mega finals of the comedy show ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Dwitiya ‘ (TGILC) will air this week judge Shekhar Suman is ecstatic, “Almost all sequels of popular shows have failed. But ‘TGILC Dwitya’ has proved its popularity.”

The ‘TGILC Dwitya’ includes Pakistani stand-up comics Ali Hasan and Irfan Malik, the ventriloquist-puppeteer Rajkumar Javkar and a medico Dr Tushar Shah.  It also has Bollywood stars appearing as guest judges.

When asked to reveal who he thinks could win amongst the seven finalists, Shekhar cautions, “Just anyone can win the ‘Hasi Ka Shahenshah’ title. Sometimes even a backbencher can stand first in class.”

Shekhar, director Pankaj Saraswat, and fellow-judge Navjot Singh Siddhu are keen to have female contestants in ‘TGILC’.  Sidhu and Shekhar have also auditioned some female aspirants.

But Shekhar laments in jest, “This is one area where females seem to be lagging behind!” Coming back to the show, Shekhar proclaims, “Comedy is a derogatory term. Our show is more about intelligent humour with a touch of satire!”