Sahara One Television is back with Comedy Champions, from March 15. The show will have a whole new look and will be hosted by actress Karishma Tanna. The show will include comedians like Sunil Pal, Kuldeep Dubey, Rajeev Nigam, Rajiv Thakur, Parvez Siddique, Kashif Khan, Rauf Lala, Shakeel Siddiqui, Aamir Rambo and Aslam Imran to name a few.
"We have performed a lot of dramas in Pakistan but nobody recognises us there," Parvez Siddique, a Pakistani artist says. "By participating in this show, people back home will watch us and make us popular. We have got so much love from India that we are obliged to Sahara TV for giving us such a good platform."
Asked if there is any difference between Indian and Pakistani comedy, he replied, "Yes, there is a slight difference. Pakistani comedy is fast and has many punch-lines whereas Indian comedy is slower."
Niti Wagh, a female contestant, feels that women should come forward and do more comedy shows. "It is not just about dialogue delivery; it is about the timing and making others laugh," she says. "That comes naturally to me."
When it was pointed out that many jokes are against women, she said, "Comedy is not about reality; nobody should feel bad about it. I have never felt bad about any joke. It is just comedy and not meant to offend anyone."
The show also includes a 13-year-old boy, Jay Chaniyara, from Rajkot, Gujarat.
"I have been doing comedy shows for the past six years," Chaniyara says. "I get ideas from television, books and films. It is very difficult to create jokes and I have to think hard."
"The first season of Comedy Champions did extremely well, so we are bringing the show back," Kalyan Sundaram, programming head, Sahara One, said. "This time, we are bringing together many renowned Indian and Pakistani comedians on the same platform. They will not just have single standup acts but will also perform acts in duets and trios. That is the USP of the show."
Comedy Champions will be aired on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 pm on Sahara One.