India's first ever comedy festival is here

If you are one of those who missed laughing out loud on some of India’s best known comic acts - irrespective of medium, then you need to head straight for the Indian Comedy Festival (ICF) - being organised over two days (March 31-Apr 1) at FICCI auditorium.

The festival which will include stand-up comedy acts, film screenings, plays as well an exhibition of comic books is sure to tickle the funny bone and is being held around the Golden Kela Awards, known for awarding the Best of the Worst in Indian cinema.

Says Jatin Verma, organiser and brain behind ICF, “When I was in school, my teachers kept telling me 'no funny business'. I think at a subconscious level it stuck with me. So I decided to get into the funny business with India's first ever Comedy Fest. Our aim is to create a common platform where comedians of all kinds and from all parts of the country can find a place to showcase their talent. Our main line up of acts is ticketed but at the same time we will have an outdoor stage area featuring all sorts of free acts too.”

The two-day fest includes film screenings of Kundan Shah’s cult classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Andaz Apna Apna; staging of M. Sayeed Alam’s Ghalib in New Delhi; a Haasya Kavi Sammelan featuring the well-known hasya kavi Surendra Sharma and stand-up comedy acts by Papa CJ and Sanjay Rojoura. That is not all. The festival will also be putting up stalls fun merchandise, publishers, toy makers as also host a contest for India’s best stand-up comedian. Open Mic allows those interested, to perform their own musical act, standup comic acts. Jugglery and puppetery will also find their space here.