There’s no godfather for Hyderabadi comedians: KB Jani

Hyderabadi comedy has been chuckling out bread and butter for an incredibly talented flock of comedians. But only some bet entirely on it for their livelihood while for others it’s only an escape into a lighter side of an otherwise cacophonic and stressed life.

“The problem with Hyderabadi comedy is that it didn’t get its rightful due. One reason for this is the absence of a godfather for Hyderabadi comedians,” says ace stand-up comedian from city, Khairuddin Baig, popularly known as KB Jaani.

“The bigger comedians get a readymade script almost all times, and they perform to it. For us Hyderabadis, there is no such booster,” he says.

Veteran artistes have carved a niche for Hyderabadi comedy, but that was a time when theatres were the only luxurious form of entertainment. “In the age of digital technology when there’s an affluent choice of comedy stream available through various TV channels and internet, it is difficult for comedians from the city to establish themselves,” shares Jaani.

KB Jaani, along with artistes like Subhani, Kamaal Raza, Khader Shareef, and more recently Adnan Sajid Khan aka ‘Gullu Dada’ among others are the select few, who can readily tickle your funny bone with great ease – be it a Mushaira, stand-up theatre or a performance in some of the most coveted multi-national companies, or the private parties of the affluent and the tasteful.

“Despite international recognition as Hyderabadi comedians, we (younger artistes) didn’t get the catalyst for monetary amplification,” he observes.

While Babban Khan, whose satirical play ‘Adrak Ke Punjay’ set world record in 1984 for the longest running one-man show (1965-2001), comedians like Hamid Kamaal, who completed nearly 42 years with Subhani in ‘Dedh Matwale’; Daulat Ram, Kamaal Raza, Mizbahuddin and Khader Shareef have been the brand ambassadors of the genre.

And people love to watch them perform. In fact, Bollywood actor Mahmood’s performance in the 1968 movie ‘Sadhu aur Shaitain’ (Saint and Satan) is utterly depictive of the Hyderabadi slang – comical and affable at best.

As a TV anchor, Jaani has hosted popular comedy shows like ‘Haste Haste’, a live show ‘Dil Se’ and a game show ‘Timepassgiri’ on ETV Urdu. He has even appeared on CNBC Awaaz Channel for a special feature titled ‘Hyderabad - The Fun Day’ and represented the city in the erstwhile popular TV show ‘Great Indian Laughter Challenge’.

With at least half a dozen Hyderabadi movies in his portfolio, and a few more in the pipeline, on-stage performances across several cities in India including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Sholapur to Musqat, Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar and beyond, Jaani is exemplary of a young and successful Hyderabadi comedian, hiding his struggle in the radiance of smiles his promptly comical style begets, and compassion for struggling peers.

He is also a good singer and has mesmerised audiences with his mimicry of the Owaisis, NT Rama Rao and others.

The youngster has just returned from a performance in Dubai, and is thrilled to showcase his comical erudite at an upcoming performance in the United States next week. Along the line, hoping that a godfather interprets the incisive anguish behind the smiling faces of Hyderabadi comedians and wakes up to their silent suffering.