LAUGH OUT LOUD

A MODERN-DAY NOMAD OOTS IN KERALA, KENNY SEBASTIAN WAS RAISED ACROSS GUJARAT, VIZAG, AND BANGALORE. NURTURING HIS ARTISTIC PASSIONS, HE TRANSITIONED FROM COMPUTER SCIENCE TO PAINTING AND SCULPTURE. COLLEGE BECAME HIS CANVAS FOR EXPLORATION, DABBLING IN THEATRE, MUSIC, AND FILM EDITING. SERENDIPITY LED HIM TO STAND-UP COMEDY, WHERE HIS HUMOUR FOUND HOME ON YOUTUBE, PROPELLING HIM TO VIRAL FAME. TODAY, HE STANDS AS A PIONEER IN INDIA’S COMEDY SCENE, BOASTING SPECIALS ON BOTH AMAZON PRIME AND NETFLIX, AND CONTINUES TO SHAPE TIHE LANDSCAPE WITH HIS CREATIVE ENDEAVOURS. LET’S EXPLORE THE WORLD OF STANDUP COMEDIAN KENNY SEBASTIAN

- VINITHA VENKATESHA

What inspires your comedic style and material?

I think one of the most impactful comedians for me was Jerry Seinfeld. I was in fifth standard and I remember coming back from school in Bangalore and watching 'Seinfeld' and 'Whose Line Is It Anyway,' on Star World. I couldn't believe a Jewish man in New York in his 40s was as relatable to me as a kid. So I realised the power of simple observational jokes. That's my style, which is observation with a hint of absurdity. I also love the improvised side of it, where stand-up is such a heavily written and practiced art form. But I also love to break it and do some stuff on the spot, which I do with my music and my comedy.

Comedy often reflects societal issues. Do you use your platform to address any specific social or cultural topics?

Yes, definitely. I think the irony is that a climate change activist or a social change activist has 100 followers, while anybody who's entertaining, such as a comedian, dancer, or actor, has millions and millions of followers. So that's the hypocrisy of human beings they want everything in an entertaining package. I do slip in some social causes, but I feel it's kind of patronising. It's interesting that people's expectation is for entertainers to raise awareness because there are so many social activists who should be heard.

Can you share a memorable moment from one of your stand-up shows?