Chandigarh girl GurleenPannu is the first runner-up of the show Comicstaan Season 3. The stand-up comedian gets candid

How did your journey of becoming a stand-up comedian start?

It all started in my college where I used to do theatre. At the end of my graduation, one of my friends told me that I was quite good with my comic style and asked me to participate in an open mike competition. Gradually people started liking me and that’s how it started.

How far did your family support you?

They were sceptical till the time they were not aware of stand-up comedy. Fortunately, I was good at studies so my family used to think I would do something in academics. One day when I showed them Zakir Khan’s stand-up act, they were impressed.

What kind of struggles did you face?

The struggle was to get a good stage space in a city like Chandigarh. And then I started writing my own comedy acts, as I wanted to test my own material. That made me a better writer. One more concern was when I used to get late in the night, my parents were quite worried.

We don’t see many female stand-up comedians in India. What is your take on that?

In every field this ratio has always gone up and down. But this is a great time for the women stand-up comedians and the boom will come soon. The basic understanding of this art form is getting popular in our households.

How would you describe your experience in Comicstaan?

It’s a crash course in comedy. I have never learnt so much before this show. Meeting so many stalwarts in comedy was wonderful. The journey was surreal.

How do you think a reality show on comedy can help a stand-up comedian in his or her career?

Comicstaan is one of the biggest platforms in India for stand-up comedians. This is my first reality show and the response has been quite good. So, it gives the initial push to an artiste. Then social media is a great help, as you can post your own stand-up skit.

Who is your inspiration in writing?

I just look within. I try and avoid fixing fiction. I use my emotions to create my own comedy.

It’s said that ‘comedy is a serious business’. How difficult is it for you to make someone smile?

It’s an art form and you need a lot of practice. Comedy is also subjective. You need to find your own audience, which can understand your comedy.

A lot of reality shows have taken the OTT route. How do you see this change?

It’s a welcome change for all of us. OTT has become more accessible and has given a platform to so many creative people. People don’t have to wait for the big screen or television to showcase their talent.