Heckling isn’t a problem; in fact, I ask for it: Papa CJ

In a world where content creation is king, Papa CJ is doubling down on the real deal: live stand-up. “I do stand-up because I love it. I don’t want to spend my time shooting videos, editing, or figuring out thumbnails. I didn’t leave the corporate world to join a rat race,” he says. But, he notes, the beauty of this profession is “that there are no fixed rules”. “You do what you do, and eventually discover your voice,” he says.

‘MUCH OF COMEDY IS ABOUT BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF’
Delving into the deeper meaning of his craft, CJ explains, “Stand-up comedy is an outward expression of an inward journey. I’ve been doing this for twenty years, and you eventually understand yourself as a person. Initially, you care about impressing and pleasing the audience. Then, you realise this profession allows you to be honest. People who like you will stay, and others will naturally move on. Famous comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, Russell Peters, and Chris Rock don’t change their act based on who’s in the room. Chris Rock might, if Will Smith is in the front row!” he laughs, and adds, “I believe much of comedy is about being true to yourself.”
‘I AM A HURT-FREE COMEDIAN’
Building genuine connection with an audience is key for CJ. “Once an audience likes you, they’ll let you get away with anything. I’m perfectly happy to tease, and perfectly happy to embarrass. I am a hurt-free comedian. If I detect even a second of discomfort, I will pull back. I want people to leave feeling happy,” he says.
‘OFF STAGE, I’M CLARK KENT. ON STAGE, I’M SUPERMAN’
For CJ, the stage brings out a different side – an amplified version of his everyday self. “On stage, my persona is always larger than life. Off stage, I’m harmless. It’s like the difference between Clark Kent and Superman. When I get on stage, super senses activate. One part of my brain performs, another plans the next move, and a third pays attention to the room,” he says.
‘I’VE BEEN TOLD THAT I’M THE MOST HECKLED COMEDIAN IN THE COUNTRY’
Has he ever been heckled? “Hundreds of times,” says CJ with a laugh, adding, “In fact, I’ve been told that I’m the most heckled comedian in the country, because I ‘ask for it’. For me, it’s not a problem. You want to heckle? Bring it on. I don’t just use a one-liner to shut them down. I’ll explore the conversation, see where it leads. Eventually, you often find a pot of gold somewhere in the discussion,” he says.

Papa CJ will be performing his Still Standing Up comedy show from July 25 to August 30 in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Pune, Gurgaon and Goa.