The funny feminist

Saturday night wasn't the same for those who attended New York-based comedian Radhika Vaz's show Older. Angrier. Hairier. at St Andrew's Auditorium, Bandra. The audience was in splits and that piqued our curiosity about Vaz. dna caught up with the comedian after she performed to a guffawing crowd.

Why pick a subject like Older. Angrier. Hairier.?
Radhika Vaz (RV): Because I am all of the above!

Since you have performed in many cities (in India and abroad), what do you think about the sense of humour of Mumbaiites?
RV: I think women in Mumbai may be a little more laidback, which definitely helps with a performance like mine. In some other cities I find the female population a little more conservative—or maybe it's the men they came with who are conservative—I can't always tell!

How much more fulfilling is it to write and perform your own show as compared to the other formats you have adopted earlier?
RV: I have been in plays that I have not written and it is a different buzz—a buzz nonetheless. Writing and performing my own material is probably a little scarier because you really are putting it all out there. But it's all good as I love to perform. I think the show at St. Andrews went well; the audience was very receptive and I had such a good time.

Tell us about your evolution of humour. Was feminism always your mainstay?
RV: "I am a feminist and have always been," said Louis CK who happens to be a male comedian, and in all likelihood a feminist as he has two daughters; he also talks a lot of about age and children. I just write what I think is funny. I definitely gravitate to things I find ridiculous; the way women are still expected to behave in the modern world is downright ridiculous.

Is the urban Indian audience ready for your brand of humour? Have they 'opened up' more than before?
RV: I think so and more than that I hope so...this country has been around longer than most… it needs to be ready! The stuff I deal with or rather ask the audience to deal with… well, some of it takes a little bit of getting used to, so, of course, there are a few uncomfortable people laughing nervously but the crowd at St. Andrews was impressive. I have no idea what to compare the audiences to, even my first show was pushing the limit.

What has been the highest point in your career?
RV: I am hoping we haven't come to that yet!