The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Comedian Russell Peters to enthral Bangaloreans

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 27, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Comedian Russell Peters to enthral Bangaloreans

Rakesh Mehar

IN ACTION: Comedians Russell Peters (right) and Rusty Dooley in Bangalore on Monday. — Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

BANGALORE: "I'm here to ruffle some feathers, make people uncomfortable," quipped stand-up comic Russell Peters at a press conference ahead of his performances at Chowdiah Memorial on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Indian-Canadian comic, who has become quite the hit with the multicultural comedy routine that is largely the result of his own experiences as an immigrant in Canada, said he is not too worried about offending the audience with his somewhat risqué material since most audiences have already watched him on the internet and "know what I do and how I do it."

Boon

Indeed, the Internet has been something of a boon to many comics like him, said Mr. Peters.

"This is my 18th year in comedy, and around the 14th year, some of my material appeared on the Net, and it began to spread around the world. That's why we're all here now," he explained.

Consequently, Mr. Peters clarified, he will not be performing most of his famous material at the shows in India. "I won't be presenting any of the old material. It's not like music, where you can make one hit song and sing it for 30 years. So don't come out expecting the classics," he clarified.

As for how far he would be pushing boundaries: "I draw the line at religion. Anything beyond that is your problem," he joked airily. "My objective is to make people laugh, not to offend them," he clarified on a more serious note.

Offensive

"You can be offensive just to be mean. If you make fun, you should do it with a smile on your face than with anger in your heart," added Rusty Dooley, the U.S. comic who will be opening for Mr. Peters. Mr. Peters will be performing sold out shows at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on February 27 at Chowdiah Memorial Hall and at 7 p.m. on February 28 at Good Shepherd Auditorium, Residency Road. He will then continue the tour to Mumbai and Delhi.

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