Actor and comedian Vir Das recently shared his thoughts on the differences between award show formats in India and the West, specifically questioning why Indian awards do not adopt a roast-style hosting like that seen at the Oscars. His insights stem from his extensive experience writing scripts for Indian award ceremonies over the past five years.
Das explained that the role of comedians at Western awards shows, where they often roast the stars in attendance, serves to humanize those being celebrated. He highlighted that jokes in such contexts are intended as a form of “punch-up,” since the honorees are already at the top of their game. However, he noted that the same approach may not work in India due to the different dynamics among local celebrities.
He emphasized that in India, star egos can pose a challenge, as they are unlikely to accept jokes from someone perceived as being below their status. This creates a unique power imbalance that might diminish the comedy’s effectiveness. According to Das, the bigger the star hosting an event, the more difficult it becomes to make the audience laugh, particularly for those who are not part of the elite circle.
In comparison, Conan O’Brien’s return to host the Oscars for the second consecutive year highlights how such humor can resonate with an audience. O’Brien addressed various current social and political issues during his monologue, including tensions in the Middle East and the implications of artificial intelligence. He also humorously referenced Timothee Chalamet’s viral comments about the opera and ballet, managing to draw laughter from both the audience and Chalamet himself.
On a personal note, Vir Das has been busy with his own projects. He made his directorial debut with the film “Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos,” where he stars as a secret agent. The movie features Mona Singh alongside special appearances by Aamir Khan and Imran Khan. Collaborative efforts with long-time associate Kavi Shastri marked the film’s directorial journey for Das.