So odd to do a press conference on Zoom, yaar,” Farah Khan complains to The Telegraph over the phone an hour after announcing the airing of Zee Comedy Show (on Saturday and Sunday, 10pm) featuring top comic talents like Ali Asgar, Sugandha Mishra Bhosle and Sanket Bhosle. The show’s “Laughing Buddha” shares why she has the best seat on the sets and why this is the best time for comedy.

How does it feel to be called the ‘Laughing Buddha?’

When I heard that I would be called a ‘Laughing Buddha’, I actually laughed, but I feel I am a perfect fit for it and I have the best job ever as I have to just sit back, relax and enjoy the acts presented by all the artistes of Zee Comedy Show. I must add that I can’t fake laughter, so while the acts are written and enacted by these fantastic artistes, my reactions and comments are not according to any script.

Everything is spontaneous and whatever I say, I say from the heart, and everyone will relate to my reactions as they will be genuine. In fact, I don’t like laughing just at jokes, I laugh at the madness of the character or the physical comedy that is presented. If it’s not funny, I’ll not laugh. If it is funny, I might not be able to control my laughter too. So, I feel I am the perfect fit for the role and with me not having the role of a typical judge like we see on other shows, I feel ‘Laughing Buddha’ is an interesting and fun title to have.

What is your role in the show?

I am sitting. They have to perform for me. The whole idea is they have to make me laugh. The team that makes me laugh the most gets to win. Two sets of comedians go one against one in every episode.

How is this different from other comedy shows?

There is no conversation. There is no host on this show. This is more like Saturday Night Live. It’s more like a series of skits. They have a lot of set-ups where the performers have to do physical comedy. I banter with them as do my friends who come to the show as guests. But the writers prepare the content and all the hard work is then done by the performers. Everyone is under so much stress, we need to laugh!

Farah Khan and Tabu Sourced by the correspondent

Tabu was one of your guests on the show.

Yes. I had not seen her since March 2020. During the lockdown, we were talking to each other every day, sending food to each other, we shared good news and bad news. It was really good to physically meet before we forgot what we looked like. Same with Riteish (Deshmukh), Genelia and Mika (Singh). I got to meet them, thanks to the show.

Your films always have comic elements.

That’s one of the reasons why they thought of me for the show, I can’t imagine making a film without humour.

Will you ever make a laugh riot?

I don’t think so. I like my films to have a bit of drama, a bit of everything.

Do you have any plans to direct for OTT or you prefer the big screen for the grand way you mount your films?

I am open to all kinds of opportunities and work, be it on OTT, be it theatrical movies or music videos. In fact, I made a music video with Sonu Sood recently, which will be out soon. I also plan to make two more music videos under Desi Music Factory’s banner. I cannot speak about them at the moment, but they should be announced soon. I am also in talks for something in the OTT space, but I can’t speak about it till it gets finalised.

Talking about movies, I was actually going to start a film. However, due to the pandemic, it has been delayed, but I feel it will happen whenever it has to happen, and I’ll surely speak about it after it goes on floors.

You shot an ad film recently with M.S. Dhoni.

Yes, this was the first time I met him or worked with him. It was a wonderful experience. He is one of the nicest people I have met. He is very down to earth, so patient with everything. I was telling Dhoni I know nothing about cricket. I am not a very sports-oriented person.

But had your close friend Sania Mirza been winning, you’d surely have taken an interest in the Olympics.

I do follow Sania’s career. Wherever she is playing, she calls me or messages me from there. And I know who did well in the Olympics. I read the papers and keep up to date. Winning or losing, Sania has given birth to a child just one-and-a-half years back and now she is at the Olympics. That itself is a great achievement.

How are your triplets coping with a locked-down life?

It is difficult for children to be locked up for so long. They all turned teenagers in this lockdown. They are patient and have got used to it. Rarely do we go out. Everything is online. They taught me to be patient. And they taught me that at the end of the day, all one needs to survive is family.

Do you have to try hard to keep them entertained?

That I have to, but now that they are 13, they are pretty much entertaining themselves. And we adopted a puppy last year. She is a Shitzu called Poochie. She is now one. It’s like having a baby in the house. She is very popular on my Instagram. She gets the most views and likes.