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There are no retakes when performing in front of audience: Varun Sharma on hosting Sabse Funny Kaun?

Sharma is currently hosting Flipkart Video's digital comedy show but looks forward to returning to work as the lockdown slowly comes to an end. 

With his track record as Choocha in Fukrey (2013), one might think Varun Sharma enjoys the comedy space. He does but tells us it is not as easy as it looks. With the lockdown coming to an end, the actor is already back in the grind with Flipkart Video's digital comedy show Sabse Funny Kaun?. The series sees a number of contestants compete with each other to be the funniest on stage. Sharma is given the enjoyable task of hosting them. 

Speaking of the series, he said, "Sabse Funny Kaun? is actually a nice change of pace because it is a very fast-paced, quick-format show which has 15-18 minutes of content where we are trying to make people laugh and smile, and give them a dose of entertainment for the entire day."

The return to shooting, the actor says, is a thing he is thankful for. "We are all very excited to get back to work. I hope that we take the utmost safety precautions. I certainly hope that the pandemic ends soon and people return back to the normal way of life," he said. 

Following are excerpts from the interview: 

Welcome back. How did you get through all these months? 

The lockdown has actually been great. It's been interesting. I have been home, helping my mother with a lot of household stuff. I have learned how to cook and how to paint. I have done a lot of household work. I am looking forward to getting back to work and getting back to the whole regime. It's a blessing. 

Returning back with Flipkart's Sabse Funny Kaun must be a nice change of pace? How were you approached for the project?

Sabse Funny Kaun? is actually a nice change of pace because it is a very fast-paced, quick format show which has 15-18 minutes of content where we are trying to make people laugh and smile, and give them a dose of entertainment for the entire day. I got a call from the team that was working on the show, and they told me that it was a short format show. I said why not, let's give it a shot and try and make people laugh. 

Stand-up comedy on stage is a very different level than comedy scripted for films. Did you ever think of trying stand-up? 

I never thought of trying stand-up comedy. I think it is genuinely very tough. Hopefully, one day I learn the art of it and try. Why not? Of course. 

Performing in front of a live audience is often called the toughest gig in entertainment. Why? 

It is actually a challenge. There are no retakes, no breaks, and figure out the comedy. Once you perform, it is the final thing and gets imprinted in the minds of an audience. It is, of course, tough to perform in front of a live audience. But it also gives you the energy, the rush. With the grace of God, it is a blessing to perform in front of people. I feel really blessed and happy that I could do that and be a part of it. 

With the industry slowly returning to shooting, what are you looking forward to? Anything that you hope has not changed? 

We are all very excited to get back to work. I hope that we take the utmost care. I certainly hope that the pandemic ends soon, and people return back to the normal way of life. Yes, it is great to be back on the set and to have that energy and excitement. I am really really looking forward to that through the next year. 

A still from Roohi Afzana

What does the rest of the year hold for you? What are you looking forward to the most? 

There's a lot of stuff I am working on. I have read a lot of stuff in the lockdown, conversations have gone ahead. I can't really talk about it right now. But Roohi Afzana (2020) is one thing we have just finished. It is a beautiful beautiful adventure. It is a beautiful film where we are going to make people smile while giving them chills.