Meet the SHEROES - Neeti Palta

Neeti brings to the English standup comedy scene in India what it sorely lacks – a female perspective. Therefore she has the unique advantage of being able to present a female point of view on a variety of subjects from the life of a woman in India, Indian idiosyncrasies, to daily irritants, current affairs, etc, while indulging in a spot of poking fun at men (ok, a lot of that!).

She was voted as the best Standup Comic at the Oz Fest and was India’s first Stand Up to perform at Melbourne for the prestigious Melbourne Comedy Festival 2013.

Neeti has done shows for varied audiences and corporates across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kochi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Goa, Kolkatta, Bangalore, Pune, etc.

Neeti established one of Delhi’s oldest and most successful comedy outfits – Loony Goons – in which she organizes shows for corporates, pubs and private parties. It’s a pioneer outfit that flies in the best comedians from across India to give comedy night a truly complete ‘Indian’ feel.

We speak to the lady with the lady who tickles your funny bone –

Tell us more about yourself

I’m an army brat. Have been brought up all over India. That’s why I don’t get the rivalry between two states. Because when my father used to be out at the front, I don’t think he was fighting for just one part of India! So any time I hear someone ask me which city I like the most, I genuinely start hearing a full on background track in my head – Assam se Gujarat tak… Bengal se Maharashtra tak…complete with the dramatic orchestra!

Have moved around so much in my childhood it’s a good thing I was an extrovert. Been a tomboy all my life. Was being mistaken for a boy even in college! Though in hindsight that might not be a good thing huh?

Was a science student in school. Graduated in English literature. Post-graduation in Journalism & Mass com. Have wanted to be a detective, a pilot, an army soldier, a policewoman, a doctor, a professor till my mom pointed out that I would probably be disruptive everywhere but a creative field.

Started out in advertising. Then quit as Senior Creative Director at JWT after working in advertising for almost 12 years. Then headed a team of writers for Sesame Street USA’s Indian venture – Galli Galli Sim Sim. Started doing standup as a hobby and was immensely surprised when people started offering me money to do it!

What made you quit a career in advertising and take up stand-up comedy?

I got tired of seeking approval from people who were not the end target audience of my creatives. In comedy the feedback is instantaneous and straight from the audience. It’s the purest feedback you get. Also, comedy is somewhere you can see for yourself the end result of your work. The feel good factor of spreading the cheer. The warm, fuzzy high you get after a good gig can’t be replicated.

One woman in comedy, you look up to, why?

I don’t watch too many videos because I want to be able to find my own voice before getting influenced. But I love the straight-faced one-liners from Amy Schumer and the tongue-in-cheek comedy from Shappi Khorsandi.

What would your advice be to women starting a career in comedy?

Don’t get up on stage with the albatross of your gender hanging around your neck. You’re just a funny person trying to make people laugh.

What has been the most defining moment for you as a comedian?

An old gentleman walking up to me after a show and blessing me for making him forget all his troubles. He said this within earshot of my parents who had come to see me perform for the very first time after a whole year of misgivings. My dad’s chest swelled way past Modiji’s 56 inches and my mom couldn’t have beamed broader than she did!

Where do you see yourself in 3 years from now?

If I could tell, my parents would be the most relived! Besides, the whole fun of life is that it’s unpredictable. Who knows? I might be somewhere setting a bungee jumping record.