Ashish Vidyarthi on his stand-up comedy: Jokes can be created without any abuse or innuendos

Ashish Vidyarthi wears many hats. After his decades-long acting career, he started his journey as a food and travel vlogger and motivational speaker. Now, he is all set to charm his audience with his humour and wit on stage as a stand-up comic. He has already performed four stand-up shows in Kolkata, a city extremely close to his heart. Ashish, who is currently touring with his stand-up act across various cities in India, will soon return to Kolkata with another performance.

 Regarding his new journey and the City Of Joy, Ashish said, “Kolkata is truly a city I love. I have done four shows in Kolkata so far, and the audience has really enjoyed them. People have mostly seen me in very intense roles over the years, so when they see me on stage, just a few feet away, sharing anecdotes from my life, they really enjoy it. Kolkata has been an amazing audience.”

When asked what inspired him to take up the microphone and make people laugh, the National Award-winning actor responded in his unique style. “After having done more than 350 films across 11 languages, with 99% of them as a villain, I really wanted to explore the comedy side of me. Since childhood, I've been someone who loves to joke, crack jokes at myself and others, and enjoy light-hearted conversations. So, with stand-up comedy, I thought, let me reconnect with my funny bone and share it with an audience,” said the actor, who received the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Drohkaal in 1995.

Ashish bases his acts on material drawn from his own experiences. “I laugh at myself. I laugh at things that have happened in my life, and people have appreciated that clean, green comedy can be created without any abuse or innuendos,” he said.