As we complete #8Iconicyearsofdelhiites , we have put together an interesting story featuring eight icons of the city from different parallels of lifestyle. The illustrious list includes F & B – AD Singh, MD Olive restaurants, Auto – Amit Garg, MD Shiva motors, Music – DJ Aqeel, Jewellery – Meghali Gupta, Director Shri Ram Hari Ram Jewellers, Fashion – Shivan Bhatiya, Head Designer and Narresh Kukreja, Creative Director, SHIVAN & NARRESH, Comedy – PAPA CJ, Cinema – Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Joint MD PVR Ltd. and Real Estate – Yukti Nagpal, Director Gulshan Homes. Read on to know more about their inspiring journey’s so far and plans for the future.

Papa CJ

Papa CJ is undisputedly one of India’s best stand-up comics, who with his comic timing has left the audience around the globe gasping for more. CJ has been a trend setter, a classic and a timeless comedian for decades, in 2014 he was awarded as the best comedian in Asia. He is also an author and his recently released book ‘Naked’ has received a tremendous response worldwide.

• When did you know you wanted to be a comedian ?
I saw stand-up comedy for the first time when I went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2004 and it was love at first sight. Here was a man on stage with a beer in one hand and a microphone in the other, just having fun. And that was his job! I couldn’t imagine anything better in the world to do. So three months later I took to the stage in London for the very first time and ended up doing over 700 shows in the UK in the 3 years that followed. Since then I’ve had the privilege of performing over 2000 shows in more than 25 countries, including at full houses on Broadway in New York, in Las Vegas and at the Sydney Opera House.

• What according to you has been the turning point in your career ?
In all honesty I’ve never thought of what I do as a career. I’m just having fun and trying to lift people’s spirits along the way. However my first inflection point was possibly when I moved back to India in early 2008. I was finally doing stand-up comedy in a country where I had grown up and connected with all the local cultural references. It allowed me to become a lot more fluid, conversational and confident as a performer…to the point where I was able to engage an audience for 90 minutes on stage, without having to rely on any pre-written material. The second inflection point for me was when I wrote my show Naked. By my own definition, a comic says funny things but a comedian has something to say. With Naked, I felt that I had found something to say. It felt like a step change not only in my evolution as an artist but also as a human being. It also made my audiences connect with me at a far deeper and more human level. The show Naked, which is based on my life, has since been published as a book as well.• What has been the biggest challenge for you as an artist in your illustrious career ?
The biggest challenge for any artist, I believe, is to grow in your own eyes. It’s one that remains constant no matter how ‘ illustrious’ or not the world chooses to call your career.

• How has the pandemic impacted your business and what measures are you taking to salvage the situation ?
By nature of who I am, I tend to find the positive in every situation. The pandemic made me grow by allowing me to bring value to my clients in ways that I had not done before. Earlier while clients may have approached me for one specific skill set, I now ask them what challenges and goals they have and then bring to the fore my business, coaching and entertainment background to create customised offerings that address their needs. For example, one firm approached me to perform a 30 minute stand-up comedy show for them. I ended up not just doing stand-up comedy, but hosting a 4 day virtual conference, running multiple leadership development programmes for their partners, and signing a business development agreement as a part of which I’d introduce them to people in my network who might have shared interests. My first introduction led to them closing a US$ 500,000 contract. I’ve also been coaching and mentoring C-level executives during the pandemic, assisting them with their communication and speech writing, and writing for multiple publications, including Harvard Business Review.• Which factors according to you have been instrumental in your journey to becoming one of the most loved comedians in the country ?
The warmth, kindness and love of well-wishers is what I feel has been instrumental to my success. On my part I’ve tried my best to always be professional, punctual and respectful. I’ve also always tried to give a 100% to my client and add value across as many parameters as I can, even if they aren’t within the scope of my contract. Also I try and ensure that I always create customised solutions and content, which are tailor-made to their goals, challenges, people and culture.

• Please tell us more about your future plans.
Be kind, uplift people and have fun!