How my alter ego helped me find myself | Anu Menon | TEDxMICA

let’s start at the very beginning shall

let’s start at the very beginning shall we I hear it’s a very good place to

we I hear it’s a very good place to

we I hear it’s a very good place to start and we’re talking about breaking

start and we’re talking about breaking

start and we’re talking about breaking stereotypes so here goes

stereotypes so here goes

stereotypes so here goes I did not grow up in a traditional South

I did not grow up in a traditional South

I did not grow up in a traditional South Indian household so there was no early

Indian household so there was no early

Indian household so there was no early morning counsel yeah Sucre arama poorest

morning counsel yeah Sucre arama poorest

morning counsel yeah Sucre arama poorest and they are private that they none

and they are private that they none

and they are private that they none other right

other right

other right my parents were in advertising they were

my parents were in advertising they were

my parents were in advertising they were Marathi Mavericks my father Mohan Menon

Marathi Mavericks my father Mohan Menon

Marathi Mavericks my father Mohan Menon came from a family of lawyers

came from a family of lawyers

came from a family of lawyers he studied science and then joined as a

he studied science and then joined as a

he studied science and then joined as a trainee copyright Serrato billion Mather

trainee copyright Serrato billion Mather

trainee copyright Serrato billion Mather for 300 rupees a month and 34 years

for 300 rupees a month and 34 years

for 300 rupees a month and 34 years later retired on the board of his

later retired on the board of his

later retired on the board of his directors but till the very end my

directors but till the very end my

directors but till the very end my lawyer grandfather would be like what is

lawyer grandfather would be like what is

lawyer grandfather would be like what is this humble job that Mohan does I think

this humble job that Mohan does I think

this humble job that Mohan does I think know what to do a job so he gets paid

know what to do a job so he gets paid

know what to do a job so he gets paid money he has talked options he’s bought

money he has talked options he’s bought

money he has talked options he’s bought a house and he’s not Buckingham Palace

a house and he’s not Buckingham Palace

a house and he’s not Buckingham Palace big but it’s Mohan Menon big my mother

big but it’s Mohan Menon big my mother

big but it’s Mohan Menon big my mother is so posh that she eats it leaves with

is so posh that she eats it leaves with

is so posh that she eats it leaves with a fork and knife right and many can do

a fork and knife right and many can do

a fork and knife right and many can do small things like it she can make a cup

small things like it she can make a cup

small things like it she can make a cup of tea you send out of the kitchen and

of tea you send out of the kitchen and

of tea you send out of the kitchen and she’ll burn water

in fact when I used to go to school I

in fact when I used to go to school I used to wake her up so she could get

used to wake her up so she could get

used to wake her up so she could get ready to go to her ad agency so she like

ready to go to her ad agency so she like

ready to go to her ad agency so she like small things are difficult but she can

small things are difficult but she can

small things are difficult but she can climb Mount Everest one-legged on

climb Mount Everest one-legged on

climb Mount Everest one-legged on stilettos you know um every Mullaly

stilettos you know um every Mullaly

stilettos you know um every Mullaly family rather every self-respecting

family rather every self-respecting

family rather every self-respecting Malladi family donates one member to the

Malladi family donates one member to the

Malladi family donates one member to the Gulf so the ad or man to buy like that

Gulf so the ad or man to buy like that

Gulf so the ad or man to buy like that so the very carry light thing that we

so the very carry light thing that we

so the very carry light thing that we did was we gave body in my uncle because

did was we gave body in my uncle because

did was we gave body in my uncle because Gary’s our native place now it’s the

Gary’s our native place now it’s the

Gary’s our native place now it’s the only place that my lianas are in

only place that my lianas are in

only place that my lianas are in majority and Gujaratis have not managed

majority and Gujaratis have not managed

majority and Gujaratis have not managed to make any inroads so I’m trying to get

to make any inroads so I’m trying to get

to make any inroads so I’m trying to get at is there was never any I know you

at is there was never any I know you

at is there was never any I know you should be a doctor or engineer or lawyer

should be a doctor or engineer or lawyer

should be a doctor or engineer or lawyer pressure now I was a very mousy little

pressure now I was a very mousy little

pressure now I was a very mousy little girl and I was at quiet hard-working

girl and I was at quiet hard-working

girl and I was at quiet hard-working child in the corner after school I would

child in the corner after school I would

child in the corner after school I would come home every day and say whoa let’s

come home every day and say whoa let’s

come home every day and say whoa let’s do homework I was that you do so in fact

do homework I was that you do so in fact

do homework I was that you do so in fact my autobiography would be titled Fifty

my autobiography would be titled Fifty

my autobiography would be titled Fifty Shades of uncool the bestseller on the

Shades of uncool the bestseller on the

Shades of uncool the bestseller on the nerd community at a parent-teacher

nerd community at a parent-teacher

nerd community at a parent-teacher meeting the teacher told my mother she

meeting the teacher told my mother she

meeting the teacher told my mother she said mrs. Mannon your daughter is not

said mrs. Mannon your daughter is not

said mrs. Mannon your daughter is not dumb she’s mum Minnie was very offended

dumb she’s mum Minnie was very offended

dumb she’s mum Minnie was very offended because she would rather have a naughty

because she would rather have a naughty

because she would rather have a naughty child than a silent one but in my

child than a silent one but in my

child than a silent one but in my defense it’s very difficult to get

defense it’s very difficult to get

defense it’s very difficult to get excited by like chemistry and geometry

excited by like chemistry and geometry

excited by like chemistry and geometry dude I mean like what what did you want

dude I mean like what what did you want

dude I mean like what what did you want me to do in class what do you say um h

me to do in class what do you say um h

me to do in class what do you say um h plus o 2 gives h2o what were what were

plus o 2 gives h2o what were what were

plus o 2 gives h2o what were what were the furyk acid nitrous oxide or that

the furyk acid nitrous oxide or that

the furyk acid nitrous oxide or that pythagoras took he’s such a do that

pythagoras took he’s such a do that

pythagoras took he’s such a do that theorem was epic let’s follow on

theorem was epic let’s follow on

theorem was epic let’s follow on snapchat

snapchat

snapchat hashtag never gonna happen there’s

hashtag never gonna happen there’s

hashtag never gonna happen there’s always this preconceived notion that

always this preconceived notion that

always this preconceived notion that performers are extrovert

performers are extrovert

performers are extrovert not true a lot of us are introverts in

not true a lot of us are introverts in

not true a lot of us are introverts in fact performers are silent observers and

fact performers are silent observers and

fact performers are silent observers and we come to life in onstage or in front

we come to life in onstage or in front

we come to life in onstage or in front of the camera and that’s the beautiful

of the camera and that’s the beautiful

of the camera and that’s the beautiful dichotomy of it right so I used to

dichotomy of it right so I used to

dichotomy of it right so I used to silently observe everyone in school and

silently observe everyone in school and

silently observe everyone in school and then rush home and inflict my mother

then rush home and inflict my mother

then rush home and inflict my mother with all the stories of what happened

with all the stories of what happened

with all the stories of what happened and should we like just go for your

and should we like just go for your

and should we like just go for your school or like school play audition why

school or like school play audition why

school or like school play audition why are you doing this to me anyway well mom

are you doing this to me anyway well mom

are you doing this to me anyway well mom I forget my lines I make an ass of

I forget my lines I make an ass of

I forget my lines I make an ass of myself everyone will eat me I will be

myself everyone will eat me I will be

myself everyone will eat me I will be the pockets addit in India Pakistan

the pockets addit in India Pakistan

the pockets addit in India Pakistan match if you’ll be like a new Begum hi

match if you’ll be like a new Begum hi

match if you’ll be like a new Begum hi hi a new Begum hi hi

hi a new Begum hi hi

hi a new Begum hi hi I’m going to your school principal a sec

I’m going to your school principal a sec

I’m going to your school principal a sec okay fine meanie calm down and go for

okay fine meanie calm down and go for

okay fine meanie calm down and go for the audition so I went I got the part in

the audition so I went I got the part in

the audition so I went I got the part in the ripe old age of 14 I made my stage

the ripe old age of 14 I made my stage

the ripe old age of 14 I made my stage debut and the rest as they say is

debut and the rest as they say is

debut and the rest as they say is history now any part of the world I go

history now any part of the world I go

history now any part of the world I go to every stage feels like home because

to every stage feels like home because

to every stage feels like home because every stage in the world gives you that

every stage in the world gives you that

every stage in the world gives you that warm fuzzy musty beautiful welcoming

warm fuzzy musty beautiful welcoming

warm fuzzy musty beautiful welcoming fragrance now per post my tenth grade I

fragrance now per post my tenth grade I

fragrance now per post my tenth grade I chose commerce economics accountancy and

chose commerce economics accountancy and

chose commerce economics accountancy and advanced English my science teachers

advanced English my science teachers

advanced English my science teachers were devastated like I would rather you

were devastated like I would rather you

were devastated like I would rather you scored 88% and you chose advanced

scored 88% and you chose advanced

scored 88% and you chose advanced English but don’t you want to work hard

English but don’t you want to work hard

English but don’t you want to work hard anymore but you dissect a frog so well

anymore but you dissect a frog so well

anymore but you dissect a frog so well so like yeah but I liked biology I was

so like yeah but I liked biology I was

so like yeah but I liked biology I was interested in biology but not interested

interested in biology but not interested

interested in biology but not interested enough to pursue it right so in spite of

enough to pursue it right so in spite of

enough to pursue it right so in spite of my main duct dissecting skills

my main duct dissecting skills

my main duct dissecting skills I chose poetry over pragmatism right

I chose poetry over pragmatism right

I chose poetry over pragmatism right pause my 12th grade my parents

pause my 12th grade my parents

pause my 12th grade my parents encouraged me to go to drama school

encouraged me to go to drama school

encouraged me to go to drama school which is quite unheard of at the time so

which is quite unheard of at the time so

which is quite unheard of at the time so here I worth at least 15 acting school

here I worth at least 15 acting school

here I worth at least 15 acting school in London surrounded by like-minded man

in London surrounded by like-minded man

in London surrounded by like-minded man Mad Hatter’s and we would climb

Mad Hatter’s and we would climb

Mad Hatter’s and we would climb imaginary mountains and wade through

imaginary mountains and wade through

imaginary mountains and wade through imaginary waters and learn to breathe

imaginary waters and learn to breathe

imaginary waters and learn to breathe through a bottom don’t ask me to

through a bottom don’t ask me to

through a bottom don’t ask me to demonstrate and how it’s done I couldn’t

demonstrate and how it’s done I couldn’t

demonstrate and how it’s done I couldn’t might be legal before graduating I got

might be legal before graduating I got

might be legal before graduating I got an agent right and he used to put me up

an agent right and he used to put me up

an agent right and he used to put me up for all these

for all these

for all these dingbats and I got nothing and then one

dingbats and I got nothing and then one

dingbats and I got nothing and then one day he sacked me down and he said sadly

day he sacked me down and he said sadly

day he sacked me down and he said sadly you know Anu you’re getting know acting

you know Anu you’re getting know acting

you know Anu you’re getting know acting assignments because you don’t look

assignments because you don’t look

assignments because you don’t look stereotypically British Asian your hair

stereotypically British Asian your hair

stereotypically British Asian your hair isn’t straight and you’re not dusky come

isn’t straight and you’re not dusky come

isn’t straight and you’re not dusky come on Malcolm even in India only women who

on Malcolm even in India only women who

on Malcolm even in India only women who haven’t used fairness creams yet in

haven’t used fairness creams yet in

haven’t used fairness creams yet in every Indian ad the girl gets the job

every Indian ad the girl gets the job

every Indian ad the girl gets the job only after she becomes fair and let me

only after she becomes fair and let me

only after she becomes fair and let me england italy we have to be dusky to get

england italy we have to be dusky to get

england italy we have to be dusky to get it good clean yourself PA so my plan was

it good clean yourself PA so my plan was

it good clean yourself PA so my plan was simple after London I was going to move

simple after London I was going to move

simple after London I was going to move to Bombay and find a job that would fund

to Bombay and find a job that would fund

to Bombay and find a job that would fund my theatre habit I was quite clear I had

my theatre habit I was quite clear I had

my theatre habit I was quite clear I had to take a portfolio first right so I

to take a portfolio first right so I

to take a portfolio first right so I took this horrific one and the

took this horrific one and the

took this horrific one and the photographer said you know I know I

photographer said you know I know I

photographer said you know I know I really struggled for many days to find

really struggled for many days to find

really struggled for many days to find an angle in which you did not look obese

an angle in which you did not look obese

an angle in which you did not look obese thanks you then a chennai-based theater

thanks you then a chennai-based theater

thanks you then a chennai-based theater director said you know on who you’re

director said you know on who you’re

director said you know on who you’re going to Bombay and the thing is

going to Bombay and the thing is

going to Bombay and the thing is unfortunately as a woman you have to

unfortunately as a woman you have to

unfortunately as a woman you have to look perfect

look perfect

look perfect so please surgically remove this mole on

so please surgically remove this mole on

so please surgically remove this mole on your chin

your chin

your chin I was like okay fine so I went to the

I was like okay fine so I went to the

I was like okay fine so I went to the doctor and I was ready to surgically

doctor and I was ready to surgically

doctor and I was ready to surgically remove this and he said I know I’ll

remove this and he said I know I’ll

remove this and he said I know I’ll operate but it will leave a scar on your

operate but it will leave a scar on your

operate but it will leave a scar on your face what’s her hold on in order to get

face what’s her hold on in order to get

face what’s her hold on in order to get rid of the blemish on my face I have to

rid of the blemish on my face I have to

rid of the blemish on my face I have to have a surgery that will leave a blemish

have a surgery that will leave a blemish

have a surgery that will leave a blemish on my face this makes no sense

on my face this makes no sense

on my face this makes no sense no I’m going to go to Bombay carrying my

no I’m going to go to Bombay carrying my

no I’m going to go to Bombay carrying my imperfections with me as excess baggage

imperfections with me as excess baggage

imperfections with me as excess baggage so in Bombay I met a lot of very

so in Bombay I met a lot of very

so in Bombay I met a lot of very encouraging people there was this one

encouraging people there was this one

encouraging people there was this one radio producer who said you know I take

radio producer who said you know I take

radio producer who said you know I take all your interest in mine like a pure

all your interest in mine like a pure

all your interest in mine like a pure tour and comedy and voiceovers you will

tour and comedy and voiceovers you will

tour and comedy and voiceovers you will get nowhere so

my humble suggestion is you know as the

my humble suggestion is you know as the woman you always have the advantage of

woman you always have the advantage of

woman you always have the advantage of marrying money then you can do what you

marrying money then you can do what you

marrying money then you can do what you want the thing is not every son of every

want the thing is not every son of every

want the thing is not every son of every top Indian industrialist was taken so I

top Indian industrialist was taken so I

top Indian industrialist was taken so I had to make my own way in the world

had to make my own way in the world

had to make my own way in the world dammit I then met a Bollywood biggy

dammit I then met a Bollywood biggy

dammit I then met a Bollywood biggy who said I knew you’re too large if you

who said I knew you’re too large if you

who said I knew you’re too large if you were a heroine in my film I would never

were a heroine in my film I would never

were a heroine in my film I would never let you eat in fact I don’t let any of

let you eat in fact I don’t let any of

let you eat in fact I don’t let any of my heroines eat on my set now I’m a big

my heroines eat on my set now I’m a big

my heroines eat on my set now I’m a big fan of starvation as much as the next

fan of starvation as much as the next

fan of starvation as much as the next person but this snorting Kadett does not

person but this snorting Kadett does not

person but this snorting Kadett does not work for me as a concept

work for me as a concept

work for me as a concept so I read many heads of channels and

so I read many heads of channels and

so I read many heads of channels and then finally I met the head of channel V

then finally I met the head of channel V

then finally I met the head of channel V at the time who said I know you’re mad

at the time who said I know you’re mad

at the time who said I know you’re mad and fun and crazy come let’s hang

and fun and crazy come let’s hang

and fun and crazy come let’s hang sure we’ll hang what do I do exactly you

sure we’ll hang what do I do exactly you

sure we’ll hang what do I do exactly you can be a creative researcher the

can be a creative researcher the

can be a creative researcher the creative researcher isn’t that an

creative researcher isn’t that an

creative researcher isn’t that an oxymoron

so while I was hanging ID to think of

so while I was hanging ID to think of something to do what it was really

something to do what it was really

something to do what it was really confusing because you know for most

confusing because you know for most

confusing because you know for most people everything’s out of the with the

people everything’s out of the with the

people everything’s out of the with the earth and everyone’s out on the Vindhyas

earth and everyone’s out on the Vindhyas

earth and everyone’s out on the Vindhyas is a Madrasi so I used to get a lot of

is a Madrasi so I used to get a lot of

is a Madrasi so I used to get a lot of you know you gotta be South Indian

you know you gotta be South Indian

you know you gotta be South Indian you’re not black and you don’t have buck

you’re not black and you don’t have buck

you’re not black and you don’t have buck teeth ah now the thing is this my

teeth ah now the thing is this my

teeth ah now the thing is this my grandmother was milk white okay like

grandmother was milk white okay like

grandmother was milk white okay like 100% pure all-natural unadulterated no

100% pure all-natural unadulterated no

100% pure all-natural unadulterated no artificial preservatives and ingredients

artificial preservatives and ingredients

artificial preservatives and ingredients added kind of milk white okay and I went

added kind of milk white okay and I went

added kind of milk white okay and I went to an orthodontist for my teeth so yeah

then they would be like oh every time

then they would be like oh every time Rahul Dravid or BBS Lakshman drop the

Rahul Dravid or BBS Lakshman drop the

Rahul Dravid or BBS Lakshman drop the catch hundred pairs of eyes look at me

catch hundred pairs of eyes look at me

catch hundred pairs of eyes look at me with hatred

with hatred

with hatred oh these bloody South Indians you know

oh these bloody South Indians you know

oh these bloody South Indians you know because I have these magical controlling

because I have these magical controlling

because I have these magical controlling powers over the South Indian

powers over the South Indian

powers over the South Indian match-fixing mafia don’t I have an

match-fixing mafia don’t I have an

match-fixing mafia don’t I have an honest face okay so I am not cut out to

honest face okay so I am not cut out to

honest face okay so I am not cut out to be cool so I thought in this Eureka

be cool so I thought in this Eureka

be cool so I thought in this Eureka moment what if we create a character

moment what if we create a character

moment what if we create a character that you would never expect to see on a

that you would never expect to see on a

that you would never expect to see on a hip music channel someone who was the

hip music channel someone who was the

hip music channel someone who was the antithesis of cool right so the channel

antithesis of cool right so the channel

antithesis of cool right so the channel there was much deliberation and they

there was much deliberation and they

there was much deliberation and they decided to take a risk and luckily it

decided to take a risk and luckily it

decided to take a risk and luckily it paid off for all of us and Lola cootie

paid off for all of us and Lola cootie

paid off for all of us and Lola cootie was born and she was this bespectacled

was born and she was this bespectacled

was born and she was this bespectacled sari-clad traditional conservative

sari-clad traditional conservative

sari-clad traditional conservative gojira sporting glasses wearing spinster

gojira sporting glasses wearing spinster

gojira sporting glasses wearing spinster Mullaly woman who interviewed bollywood

Mullaly woman who interviewed bollywood

Mullaly woman who interviewed bollywood stars my makeup artist was very upset

stars my makeup artist was very upset

stars my makeup artist was very upset he’s like babe usually my work is to

he’s like babe usually my work is to

he’s like babe usually my work is to make women look pretty and in your case

make women look pretty and in your case

make women look pretty and in your case have to do the opposite if I put on my

have to do the opposite if I put on my

have to do the opposite if I put on my resume I did Lola cooties makeup I will

resume I did Lola cooties makeup I will

resume I did Lola cooties makeup I will not get any future assignments no brands

not get any future assignments no brands

not get any future assignments no brands wanted to sponsor the show like sorry

wanted to sponsor the show like sorry

wanted to sponsor the show like sorry brands took Peppa loose and ran in the

brands took Peppa loose and ran in the

brands took Peppa loose and ran in the opposite direction opticians did not see

opposite direction opticians did not see

opposite direction opticians did not see the potential in aligning with Lola but

the potential in aligning with Lola but

the potential in aligning with Lola but I took it to heart when jewelry brands

I took it to heart when jewelry brands

I took it to heart when jewelry brands and Lola wasn’t precious enough it’s

and Lola wasn’t precious enough it’s

and Lola wasn’t precious enough it’s only why because diamonds may be a

only why because diamonds may be a

only why because diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but for us Kerala

girl’s best friend but for us Kerala

girl’s best friend but for us Kerala girls all that glitters is only gold

girls all that glitters is only gold

girls all that glitters is only gold I hit a real low point when the Gojira

I hit a real low point when the Gojira

I hit a real low point when the Gojira guy said no to me but I say none of this

guy said no to me but I say none of this

guy said no to me but I say none of this you know for sympathy I’m used to

you know for sympathy I’m used to

you know for sympathy I’m used to rejection in fact when my husband and I

rejection in fact when my husband and I

rejection in fact when my husband and I were engaged they were telling the

were engaged they were telling the

were engaged they were telling the family and I was my show was coming on

family and I was my show was coming on

family and I was my show was coming on television so they turned to his

television so they turned to his

television so they turned to his grandmother and said nanny this is an

grandmother and said nanny this is an

grandmother and said nanny this is an Edith’s fiance he’s going to marry her

Edith’s fiance he’s going to marry her

Edith’s fiance he’s going to marry her poor woman thought she got cataract and

poor woman thought she got cataract and

poor woman thought she got cataract and then she was like he’s a little

then she was like he’s a little

then she was like he’s a little self-esteem so low that he’s marrying

self-esteem so low that he’s marrying

self-esteem so low that he’s marrying that prettiest Gujarati whatever I even

that prettiest Gujarati whatever I even

that prettiest Gujarati whatever I even got to propose this from a very

got to propose this from a very

got to propose this from a very upstanding keralite family and the

upstanding keralite family and the

upstanding keralite family and the mother was like my son is willing to

mother was like my son is willing to

mother was like my son is willing to marry Annu in spite of the fact that

marry Annu in spite of the fact that

marry Annu in spite of the fact that she’s Lola that’s like I am willing to

she’s Lola that’s like I am willing to

she’s Lola that’s like I am willing to say no in spite of the fact that I’m

say no in spite of the fact that I’m

say no in spite of the fact that I’m Lola the every girl goes to this

Lola the every girl goes to this

Lola the every girl goes to this eligibility phase in life right where

eligibility phase in life right where

eligibility phase in life right where everyone wants to set you up with a

everyone wants to set you up with a

everyone wants to set you up with a doctor from America right and by 25 my

doctor from America right and by 25 my

doctor from America right and by 25 my family friends were freaking out like

family friends were freaking out like

family friends were freaking out like parents were okay but my family friends

parents were okay but my family friends

parents were okay but my family friends had one uncle take me start up dishes

had one uncle take me start up dishes

had one uncle take me start up dishes lay into a corner at a party once and

lay into a corner at a party once and

lay into a corner at a party once and said I know you better find a husband

said I know you better find a husband

said I know you better find a husband quickly because in your line of work you

quickly because in your line of work you

quickly because in your line of work you will never find anyone and the more

will never find anyone and the more

will never find anyone and the more popular you become no one will marry you

popular you become no one will marry you

popular you become no one will marry you he said this very sweetly all the while

he said this very sweetly all the while

he said this very sweetly all the while his hand on my way back Indian uncle I

his hand on my way back Indian uncle I

his hand on my way back Indian uncle I even got this offer from a very dodgy

even got this offer from a very dodgy

even got this offer from a very dodgy film producer who said I no I think

film producer who said I no I think

film producer who said I no I think you’d be perfect for my film you know

you’d be perfect for my film you know

you’d be perfect for my film you know the role is of a girl who is an

the role is of a girl who is an

the role is of a girl who is an alcoholic drug junkie nymphomaniac I’m

alcoholic drug junkie nymphomaniac I’m

alcoholic drug junkie nymphomaniac I’m given your image on television we

given your image on television we

given your image on television we thought you’d be ideal how is it you

thought you’d be ideal how is it you

thought you’d be ideal how is it you watch Lola Cooking Channel V and you

watch Lola Cooking Channel V and you

watch Lola Cooking Channel V and you thought yes that is the ideal candidate

thought yes that is the ideal candidate

thought yes that is the ideal candidate to plan alcoholic drug junkie

to plan alcoholic drug junkie

to plan alcoholic drug junkie nymphomaniac I’m doing something very

nymphomaniac I’m doing something very

nymphomaniac I’m doing something very wrong here

wrong here

wrong here but the high point for me the highest

but the high point for me the highest

but the high point for me the highest point was when I went to interview

point was when I went to interview

point was when I went to interview Shahrukh Khan it

Shahrukh Khan it

Shahrukh Khan it residents and the security guard looked

residents and the security guard looked

residents and the security guard looked at me and he said hey give me just

at me and he said hey give me just

at me and he said hey give me just listen okay

listen okay

listen okay and I was like this is the security

and I was like this is the security

and I was like this is the security guard of the biggest movie star in this

guard of the biggest movie star in this

guard of the biggest movie star in this country and he recognizes me hey my work

country and he recognizes me hey my work

country and he recognizes me hey my work here is done

here is done

here is done I can die in peace my job I got some

I can die in peace my job I got some

I can die in peace my job I got some hate mail doh

hate mail doh

hate mail doh yeah from a guy in Kerala called Baiju

yeah from a guy in Kerala called Baiju

yeah from a guy in Kerala called Baiju he said I hope God forgives you for

he said I hope God forgives you for

he said I hope God forgives you for earning money this way but I mean his

earning money this way but I mean his

earning money this way but I mean his name is Bai Jew he has real problems in

name is Bai Jew he has real problems in

name is Bai Jew he has real problems in life the thing about stereotypes is

life the thing about stereotypes is

life the thing about stereotypes is they’re not all wrong or all bad

they’re not all wrong or all bad

they’re not all wrong or all bad stereotypes of stereotypes for a reason

stereotypes of stereotypes for a reason

stereotypes of stereotypes for a reason right what is a joke a joke is

right what is a joke a joke is

right what is a joke a joke is truth-telling with a dash of humor and

truth-telling with a dash of humor and

truth-telling with a dash of humor and exaggeration you laugh because the

exaggeration you laugh because the

exaggeration you laugh because the underlying basis is the truth now if I

underlying basis is the truth now if I

underlying basis is the truth now if I am playing a character that is a

am playing a character that is a

am playing a character that is a conservative woman who’s a spinster

who’s a layman interviewing people who

who’s a layman interviewing people who are glamorous

are glamorous

are glamorous I can’t look like this and sound like

I can’t look like this and sound like

I can’t look like this and sound like this right I have to convince link

this right I have to convince link

this right I have to convince link convincingly portray another human being

convincingly portray another human being

convincingly portray another human being so the accent and the accessories are

so the accent and the accessories are

so the accent and the accessories are integral part of the package

integral part of the package

integral part of the package not the whole package but an integral

not the whole package but an integral

not the whole package but an integral part of it I’m often surprised because

part of it I’m often surprised because

part of it I’m often surprised because we live in a country where we get so het

we live in a country where we get so het

we live in a country where we get so het up about the wonderful things that make

up about the wonderful things that make

up about the wonderful things that make us us you know like the way we speak our

us us you know like the way we speak our

us us you know like the way we speak our native tongue seeps into the way we

native tongue seeps into the way we

native tongue seeps into the way we speak English so what like a French guy

speak English so what like a French guy

speak English so what like a French guy will be like oh you are so beautiful you

will be like oh you are so beautiful you

will be like oh you are so beautiful you are stunning you up higher sexy and

are stunning you up higher sexy and

are stunning you up higher sexy and Rebecca adorable but Gucci guy will be

Rebecca adorable but Gucci guy will be

Rebecca adorable but Gucci guy will be like a location communication

like a location communication

like a location communication congratulation and Viki are so

congratulation and Viki are so

congratulation and Viki are so downmarket why I was part of a play and

downmarket why I was part of a play and

downmarket why I was part of a play and we were performing in Cochin and my role

we were performing in Cochin and my role

we were performing in Cochin and my role was of a wannabe Punjabi socialite right

was of a wannabe Punjabi socialite right

was of a wannabe Punjabi socialite right there was a woman in the ODE

there was a woman in the ODE

there was a woman in the ODE who turned to my friend and said this is

who turned to my friend and said this is

who turned to my friend and said this is a tunnel menon who plays Lola cooties a

a tunnel menon who plays Lola cooties a

a tunnel menon who plays Lola cooties a travesty can you imagine making fun of

travesty can you imagine making fun of

travesty can you imagine making fun of us like this isn’t it awful yet she

us like this isn’t it awful yet she

us like this isn’t it awful yet she proceeded to laugh at every punjabi ism

proceeded to laugh at every punjabi ism

proceeded to laugh at every punjabi ism of mine every Punjabi mispronunciation

of mine every Punjabi mispronunciation

of mine every Punjabi mispronunciation every Punjabi mannerism every Punjabi

every Punjabi mannerism every Punjabi

every Punjabi mannerism every Punjabi pronunciation and the hypocrisy I found

pronunciation and the hypocrisy I found

pronunciation and the hypocrisy I found fascinating because we are a country

fascinating because we are a country

fascinating because we are a country where we feel like you make fun of other

where we feel like you make fun of other

where we feel like you make fun of other people I will LOL ROFL LMAO but you make

people I will LOL ROFL LMAO but you make

people I will LOL ROFL LMAO but you make fun of me and I will get very angry can

fun of me and I will get very angry can

fun of me and I will get very angry can he make up me favourite tune even in

he make up me favourite tune even in

he make up me favourite tune even in stand-up comedy you know you can eat a

stand-up comedy you know you can eat a

stand-up comedy you know you can eat a telling difference like when between a

telling difference like when between a

telling difference like when between a meal stand-up comedian and a female

meal stand-up comedian and a female

meal stand-up comedian and a female stand-up comedian at the end of a show

stand-up comedian at the end of a show

stand-up comedian at the end of a show the meal stand-up comedian will look

the meal stand-up comedian will look

the meal stand-up comedian will look like he hasn’t showered in five days and

okay the most of female stand-up will

okay the most of female stand-up will get it if you’re quite funnier for a

get it if you’re quite funnier for a

get it if you’re quite funnier for a woman because of sexy man is a funny man

woman because of sexy man is a funny man

woman because of sexy man is a funny man but a sexy woman is Jennifer Lopez but

but a sexy woman is Jennifer Lopez but

but a sexy woman is Jennifer Lopez but after two drinks my husband always says

after two drinks my husband always says

after two drinks my husband always says I look like JLo yeah well there was once

I look like JLo yeah well there was once

I look like JLo yeah well there was once even this this comic the stand-up comedy

even this this comic the stand-up comedy

even this this comic the stand-up comedy competition that I was judging and my

competition that I was judging and my

competition that I was judging and my core male judge looked at the female

core male judge looked at the female

core male judge looked at the female participant and said I don’t care for

participant and said I don’t care for

participant and said I don’t care for your content because what you’re saying

your content because what you’re saying

your content because what you’re saying is very unladylike and this is where I

is very unladylike and this is where I

is very unladylike and this is where I have a problem because personally I

have a problem because personally I

have a problem because personally I don’t like scatological human right

don’t like scatological human right

don’t like scatological human right potty humor that’s my personal

potty humor that’s my personal

potty humor that’s my personal preference but I’m not saying it’s more

preference but I’m not saying it’s more

preference but I’m not saying it’s more acceptable from a man than a woman if

acceptable from a man than a woman if

acceptable from a man than a woman if you don’t like something you don’t like

you don’t like something you don’t like

you don’t like something you don’t like something period irrespective of the

something period irrespective of the

something period irrespective of the source because gender should not play a

source because gender should not play a

source because gender should not play a part right so this point I’m trying to

part right so this point I’m trying to

part right so this point I’m trying to make rather incoherently is this because

make rather incoherently is this because

make rather incoherently is this because of my Lola image I may never get an item

of my Lola image I may never get an item

of my Lola image I may never get an item number sad I have to deal with rejection

number sad I have to deal with rejection

number sad I have to deal with rejection on a daily basis that’s the nature of my

on a daily basis that’s the nature of my

on a daily basis that’s the nature of my business right I’m too tall not tall

business right I’m too tall not tall

business right I’m too tall not tall enough to fair not fair and

enough to fair not fair and

enough to fair not fair and two fat not fat enough to Porsche not

two fat not fat enough to Porsche not

two fat not fat enough to Porsche not posh enough and I have to take it all

posh enough and I have to take it all

posh enough and I have to take it all and be Zen about it and that’s fine but

and be Zen about it and that’s fine but

and be Zen about it and that’s fine but all I say is pour your heart into

all I say is pour your heart into

all I say is pour your heart into everything you do pour your heart into

everything you do pour your heart into

everything you do pour your heart into everything into the pakoras you’re

everything into the pakoras you’re

everything into the pakoras you’re flying into the dumbbells you are

flying into the dumbbells you are

flying into the dumbbells you are lifting at the gym into the relationship

lifting at the gym into the relationship

lifting at the gym into the relationship you’re in if the song you’re singing in

you’re in if the song you’re singing in

you’re in if the song you’re singing in the shower into screaming at the

the shower into screaming at the

the shower into screaming at the customer care guy on the phone into that

customer care guy on the phone into that

customer care guy on the phone into that hot red dress you just ordered online

hot red dress you just ordered online

hot red dress you just ordered online invest your heart and invest in your

invest your heart and invest in your

invest your heart and invest in your heart and it will always pay dividends

heart and it will always pay dividends

heart and it will always pay dividends so thank you

so thank you

so thank you [Applause]