Swati Sachdeva went viral on the internet with her stand-up comedy set, Love is Love, where she comes out as bisexual and shatters notions around bisexuality. Currently, she’s on a national tour for her set, So Rude of Me. We caught up with her to talk about LGBTQ+ representation in India, her personal comedy sets and more!
You do a lot of personal narrative comedy. Do you think it's important to be personal and vulnerable in comedy sets to connect with people?
Yes, my sets incline towards a personal narrative. I think it’s important to be organic on stage, and it can be achieved with or without being personal or vulnerable. When you genuinely follow your style of comedy , it will help connect with people, as people everywhere can sense emotions, especially in our art form.
You do a lot of personal narrative comedy. Do you think it's important to be personal and vulnerable in comedy sets to connect with people?
Yes, my sets incline towards a personal narrative. I think it’s important to be organic on stage, and it can be achieved with or without being personal or vulnerable. When you genuinely follow your style of comedy , it will help connect with people, as people everywhere can sense emotions, especially in our art form.
What do you think about the queer representation in stand-up comedy and larger media? How far has it come?
We have come a long way in pursuing art, theater and movies. There’s clearly a more dynamic representation in stand-up, tv shows and larger media for queer community now. The sudden rise in representation may seem overwhelming to a lot of people, it’s still important to include these discussions in our day to day lives. I feel it will still take a long time before we are able to normalise these things but we are onto a good start.
We have come a long way in pursuing art, theater and movies. There’s clearly a more dynamic representation in stand-up, tv shows and larger media for queer community now. The sudden rise in representation may seem overwhelming to a lot of people, it’s still important to include these discussions in our day to day lives. I feel it will still take a long time before we are able to normalise these things but we are onto a good start.
Tell us about your ongoing tour and why have you titled it as ‘So Rude of Me’?
‘So rude of me’ is a 70 minute stand up comedy special & I have been touring with it for over a year now to multiple cities. I titled it long back, when it was still a work in progress to much extent. My style of comedy is a little dry, outspoken and biting, hence the title.
What was the moment when you realised that you had to leave your job and be a comedian?
‘So rude of me’ is a 70 minute stand up comedy special & I have been touring with it for over a year now to multiple cities. I titled it long back, when it was still a work in progress to much extent. My style of comedy is a little dry, outspoken and biting, hence the title.
What was the moment when you realised that you had to leave your job and be a comedian?
I didn’t enjoy my full time job much, also I had this feeling that I am meant to achieve different things. Also, to be honest, my job paid so less that I was sure to earn better in anything else I did, haha, so a low paying job is a good motivation as well.
Which comics inspire you the most?
Kanan Gill, Manik Mahna, Louis CK, Dave Chappelle are some of my favourites!
Words Paridhi Badgotri
Date 11.09.2023
Kanan Gill, Manik Mahna, Louis CK, Dave Chappelle are some of my favourites!
Words Paridhi Badgotri
Date 11.09.2023