In the midst of a variety of stand-up acts in India, comes Saanu Kee wherein artists entertain in Punjabi style. The show includes Savita Bhatti, wife of late Jaspal Bhatti who returns to stage after a long gap due to her husband’s untimely demise, Maheep Singh and Amit Tandon, who conceptualised The Grandmasters of Comedy , one of the longest running comedy nights,
Savita, who produced shows for her husband and acted in films like Mere Dad Ki Maruti , is now making a foray into stand-up acting, perceives a huge change in comedy with vulgarity having overtaken the content in last decade. “There were some areas which were considered taboo and comedians did not use them in their acts but now everything is being presented. Moreover, in the name of humour, vulgarity is being sold.” Pointing out that a majority of Jaspal Bhatti’s works were based on satire, Savita says these days comedians are insulting others on racial, sexual or religious grounds in the name of satire. “He used to create humour without ever hurting anyone. Nowadays, people just Tweet on any political or social happening instead of creating a work on that issue. Bhatti Sahib used to give a detailed version of political and social background which left a deep impact on the audience,” she comments. Talking about the theme of the Saanu Kee , Savita says she was inspired by the peculiarity of Punjabis or Punjabi as a language. “The Punjabis know how to laugh at themselves in order to create humour for others and that is the reason why we wanted to take that legacy of comedy beyond Punjab through this show,” says Savita.
According to Vishesh Arora the event organiser, the title of the show, is one of the most commonly used Punjabi terms applicable in almost all situations. Maheep, who began doing stand-up comedy as an exercise to come out of depression because of life's failures, is now tickling the funny bone of the audience. “I started it as I had nothing to do having failed miserably at every point in life. I still do not know what made audience love this loser. Their good response made me continue doing it.” A publisher before turning to comedy, Maheep is referred to as “The Gujarati Sardar” and is known for stating facts in an interesting way. “I draw my lines for jokes from reality. I do not create them. I find it ridiculous when someone tries to get fame by making fun of any famous personality. If a comedian draws from life it makes him a pure artist.” Explaining to as to why he is called a “Gujarati Sardar” he states “My grandfather was from Gujarat who fought in the Indian War of Independence. That is why there is a hint of Gujarati in my Punjabi.”
The show is scheduled to be held on July 2 at the Kingdom of Dreams.
