Archana Puran Singh recalls Comedy Circus days: Rajiv Thakur made an avenue with his craft for us comic artists

Archana Puran Singh and Parmeet Sethi recent appeared on Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa's podcast. Recalling their Comedy Cricus days, Bharti and Haarsh shared that Archana Puran Singh is the reason why Audience understood comedy onscreen. They discuss Rajiv Thakur's journey and his performance in IC814.

Archana ma'am has been supporting us ever since comedy circus. Ma'am would be there with us when we were scripting. We would all go home early morning together. Even if there were errors in the script, ma'am would support us and help us grow. If there isn't someone to appreciate us then our talent wouldn't have been recognised. The audience would laugh looking at Archana ma'am. And she has been the biggest support of comedy.

I was the laughter track for the show. When you all used to come and Krushna or your script was naram garam, I would tell them not to worry. I am also an artist and all of us have problems so I felt it is my duty to help you all to grow and not lower your morale or confidence. Even if one act is not perfect, I know that when you are on stage, one negative reaction or no laugh on the punch can ruin the whole act. If the opening punch gets a laugh then it gets easier for the artist.

We had involved Parmeet sir in everything. There have been numerous acts written on Archana Parmeet's shaadi. We had even enacted a script where their first meeting was set up in the gym. Love at first dumbell and so many such acts. Parmeet sir was the base of our many hit acts.

So many judges got changed but I continued with Comedy Circus and now Kapil Sharma's show. Suniel Shetty had told me once, 'Archie yaar, I don't understand the punchline but when you laugh it feels like that would be a mindblowing joke.'

My co-judges also used to tell me that I laugh at jokes cracked on them and that lowers their position as judge. But I feel there's nothing bad to laugh on a good joke. One needs to be open to take a joke. Even in Kapil's show I enjoy everytime he cracks jokes on me. I feel like a parent who is laughing at their young kid. Shekhar used to refrain from laughing, Rohit would still laugh. And then I would laugh so happily at such jokes.

Today you all rule India and have made a huge mark at the Hindi speaking audience all over the world. I remember Rajiv used to often get only 8 for his acts. He was amazing, but there were some acts that were beyond the marks. I had given him standing ovations many times. I still remember many were ousted from the show, but you all were the few ones who ruled.

Rajiv nailed his art in the show and he is shining bright. What an amazing work, he has actually made a way for us comic actors. When his casting was on, director had mentioned how will they break his comic image. When he gave the audition, he proved how he will change his image with the show.