Underground Comedy Club and Bengaluru’s shifting evening culture

Bengaluru many soon lose it’s moniker as the ‘pub capital of India,’ as both residents and visitors to the city make a beeline for stand-up shows. The ongoing month-long Underground Comedy Festival hosted by the Underground Comedy Club (UCC) is proof enough that humour has takers.

The comedy scene in Bengaluru, though still in a nascent stage, has already garnered a lot of attention. Forerunners such as That Comedy Club and Sherlock Club, despite their premature closing, set the stage for laughter as an acceptable way to spend an evening, and the city is now one of the highest ticket selling markets for any comedian.

Discussing the difference of performing in a club and a bar, Harman Preet Singh who is one of the co-founders of UCC, said it came down to one factor — alcohol. The distraction in bars and pubs are high and there is no dedicated space for the artistes to perform their material effectively. “A club provides a dedicated space for the comic and their audiences. There is no distraction. People enter, enjoy the show and keep coming back. It is a great space for introverts who do not feel out of place as everyone there is only for the show,” says Harman.

“I believe the price of a drink can fetch you a better time for an hour at a show,” says Shreya Shankar, a regular at UCC. 

UCC’s start

In early 2023, Kartikeya Fatwani, one of the founders of UCC, pitched the idea of a comedy club in the city to Harman Preet Singh. “Initially, when he showed me the first location, I opted out of it. But when he called me again in September last year saying he found an underground space, I checked it out and fell in love with it instantly. I got my architect on board and UCC happened,” Harman said.

UCC opened to the public with its first show on November 4, 2023. Ashish Solanki, a popular standup comedian and founder of the show, The Pretty Good Roast, says, “Performing at UCC feels like you are sharing secrets with a bunch of friends huddled around a fireplace. That atmosphere changes as the comic reveals himself and how the audience receives him.”

Stand up comedian Prashasti Singh at the Underground Comedy Club
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Gursimran Khamba, co-founder of All India Bakchod (AIB) and a popular standup comedian based out of Mumbai, seconds this. “UCC has a New York-club vibe and the audiences, too, have grown in their understanding of different types of comedy. You can instantly tell whether your set is working out or not since the audience is quite close to you”. 

“The constructive feedback by the audience is unique as the crowd is open to experiment, providing a great space for artistes,” says Sahil Agarwal, a regular at the club.

Prashasti Singh, a popular standup comic from Mumbai says, “UCC is one of most fun places to perform at in India,” adding that the compliment is well-deserved as it packs the enthusiasm of both the audience and the artiste into a cosy space. 

Quality crowd 

With a youth-led crowd, Bengaluru in general and UCC in particular, provides a great space for refreshment and entertainment. “It is also a great way to learn about the local culture,” says Sahil, who hails from Gurgaon.

“Unlike in other cities, the crowds in Bengaluru are much better and offer new talent a safe space. The audience is quite supportive; if they don’t like your set, they will let you know, but not demotivate you,” says Shreya. 

Harman says UCC began a segment titled Killer Comic for the sole purpose of aiding budding comedians in developing their material. The registration fee is ₹150, and winners not only get a cash prize of ₹2500, but also a space at mics from Monday to Wednesday at UCC. 

Back talk

In the age of social media where reels and shorts have become a new marketing strategy, this concept provides potential audiences with a quick glimpse of the comedian’s style without giving away their whole act.

“Crowd work is a segment comedians have been tapping into for the longest time. It has only come to the fore now, because of social media. Not every one has the skill to engage people in mundane conversations and make a career out it,” says Harman. 

Ipsita, who has been frequenting UCC for a couple of months, says, “As a member of the audience I feel anyone can come up to the stage with a script, but a comedian pulling off an impromptu act, makes all the difference as it showcases their talent.”

While a two-minute clip on social media about their crowd work might work wonders for some, a few feel otherwise. Sahil says, “It is the lowest form of art by a comic. It is borderline derogatory humor at the expense of the audience and involves little to no craft.“

“Another downside to crowd work is that audiences feel they can heckle the artiste at anytime, given their proximity to the stage. People feel they can say anything without consideration for the comedian,” says Ipsita. 

More recently, UCC has come up with a new series titled Is It Love? that questions if this basic human emotion is born of convenience or genuine care. “I just talk to the audience and try to understand their idea of love. “Will I find love?” is a question our generation is continuously asking. So, series revolves around that,” says Harman. 

So whether one is looking for love or a dose of laughter, a comedy club could be worth a shot.

The Underground Comedy Festival is on at different venues till December 29. Tickets and schedule available on BookMyShow