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Laugh-a-thon!
MANGALA RAMAMOORTHY
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Meet anchors and stand-up comedians, Anirudh and Mantra, of "Hass Ley India", on Bindass.
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RIB TICKLERS Anirudh.
He is a self-confessed motor mouth. A compeer by profession, Anirudh used to host the celebrity game show, “Ridka on Road” on Etc Punjabi, besides travelling across the world to host shows. He feels he is best in his live acts –
220;dramebazee”, is how he describes it. He likes the fact that his babble gets him moolah.
Also a rap artist, Anirudh has even recorded for a few artists from the U.K. “Hass Ley” happened to him when the producers of the show needed someone naturally lively and he fitted their bill along with Mantra.
What’s the equation like between you and Mantra?
I met Mantra first only during the audition of Hass Ley. It was like brothers at first sight. Within a few minutes we gelled well and as a result rocked the audition hall.
On air, he calls me knottie or chhote as he considers me his younger brother. We are so attached to each other that we are always after each other.
What’s your USP?
We are not just comedians but complete entertainers. We are the same crazy people, both on and off screen. So the vibes come one very naturally.
The biggest prank you have played on the set?
The DJ on our show, Crazy Cat, has this bad habit of leaving her phone around. This is something I don’t like. So one such time when she left her phone behind, I switched it off and hide it with me. When she realised she searched the entire place and was nearly in tears. All this while I kept a straight face but I couldn’t control my laughter anymore and that gave away everything.
You wake up one day to see you that you no longer can talk. How will you then make people laugh?
I think comedy is more about expression than about talking. I think my expression will still do the trick.
New Year resolution?
What’s that? I can never keep a resolution as I cannot keep it up.
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Mantra.
For radio listeners in Delhi and Mumbai he is not a new name. Working as a Radio Jockey for Radio Mirchi, Mantra first floored his listeners in Indore before packing his bags to Delhi to woo the Delhiites with his “Midnight Mantra” and &#
8216;Mumbai Local’. He won the Zee Cine Award for the ‘Best Male RJ’ in 2006 and also the ‘Best Male RJ’ at the RAPA awards, 2007. Also a theatre actor and producer, Mantra even featured on the celebrity panel of ’Cricket Controversies’ along with Navjot Singh Sidhu. “Hass Ley” happened, as Mantra wanted other venues to showcase his skills.
What’s the equation like between you and Anirudh?
We come from similar background in many ways, yet as personalities we are very different. But we two are sides of the same coin. We never had to try and bond with each other. It just came naturally.
What’s your USP?
Our dissimilarities are our main USP. Anirudh is the king of goof-ups, whereas with my theatre background, I am a much more polished comedian.
The biggest prank you have played?
Anirudh is the one who keeps playing pranks, but I have done all the pranks in the dictionary myself. So when Anirudh is up to something I tell him that I am the principal of the school he is currently studying in. But once to pull his leg, I told him that I am not going to sign the contract and Anirudh really panicked! He requested me to reconsider my decision and all that. I was laughing away seeing that.
You wake up one day to see you that you no longer can talk. How will you then make people laugh?
Oh mine! It has nearly happened to be one, so I know how it feels. But in case I do lose my voice I think I can make people laugh with my mimicry, which I am good at.
New Year resolution?
Not to beat up Anirudh as often as I do. If I do not to talk about it in public.
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
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