'What's the first thing you're going to do when the world is normal again?'
Vir Das is ready with a new show, Inside Out, which premieres on Netflix on December 16.
"It started out just to raise money for different charities," Das tells Subhash K Jha, explaining the concept behind the show.
"I'd do an online show every night to raise money and give the ticket sales away. To warm up the audience I'd ask, 'What's the first thing you're going to do when the world is normal again?'"
"Suddenly people all over opened up about their dreams. And I knew this was a moment I needed to capture. So the entire show is about a comedian asking people across the world that one question."
Vir says he enjoyed his lockdown period.
"I've been a circus performer for the past decade, travelling seven months a year. So I've never had this kind of time at home. It's nice to have this pause. So far, I've been regurgitating output for the past decade now I've time to ingest content.
"And I had really been ignoring the digital platform. So far, I had done some stand-up on Netflix, but I never played the YouTube or Instagram game. I am just taking time off to put up some uplifting feelgood content on those two platforms."
For the lockdown entertainment seekers, Vir has a daily treat.
"I set up a show on Zoom every night where I work way my backward through the day. It's a 90-minute daily show with tickets sold and the proceeds going to various charities and causes, like Helpage, migrant workers, children with cancer."
Vir feels the lockdown is the best thing that could have happened to contain the virus.
"I feel our central government and state ministers have done a really good job. Every country is marching to its own beat in this coronavirus crisis. India is also doing its own thing and the government decided in the lockdown at the right time. But I would love to see more testing kits and better relief packages."
