‘I was once a national level rifle shooter' and she is not being funny - Bharti Singh

Interestingly, even today there are some areas in the film industry where you will hardly find any women. Like comediennes. Names like the unforgettable Tuntun and Guddi Maruti in recent times, there are hardly any names that tickle your funny bone. But Bharti Singh from Punjab has changed that equation to a great extent. Singh who had Shekhar Suman and Navjot Singh Sidhu falling in the aisles is currently seen on the different versions of Comedy Circus doing what she does best…spreading laughter in heavy measures (no pun intended). Singh took some time off her busy schedule to speak to TellyChakkar. Excerpts: Is it difficult to be a comedienne especially since a lot of shows depend on obscene lines and below the belt humour? It is in some ways. But it depends completely on the person and how you handle it. It is very important for the performer to be comfortable with saying the double meaning dialogues in front of the judges and the viewers. If they are not comfortable, other options to make people laugh are always there. I never hurt someone or their feelings. Did you always want to become a comedienne? I am from a traditional Punjabi family. I was born and brought up in Amritsar and lost my father when I was very young. Since I was the youngest, I was pampered a lot. I completed my post graduation in History. Though I never really thought of comedy shows as a career, I did do a lot of theatre and realised acting interested me. I guess since I was very talkative, standup comedy was the best bet. So how did you venture into comedy shows? March 28, 2008, changed it all when I auditioned for The Laughter Challenge. Since I am from a very traditional family, I did not tell my family I was going for the audition. Luckily, I got selected but I was a bit hesitant to inform my family because in small towns this can become a big topic of gossiping. But when I told them, they fully supported me. Though our neighbours in Amritsar were very skeptical because of the different stories they heard about Mumbai and the entertainment industry that did not stop me from moving ahead. Do you feel satisfied after two years? Yes I do. In these two years, I have got loads of praise from judges and audience. Recently, I won the Kalpana Chawla Award for my ability to make people laugh. I travelled by plane for the first time in 2008 and in the last two years I have traveled extensively in India and abroad. I do feel happy when I think about how I started and where I have reached. What has been your most memorable performance till date? In Comedy Circus Teen Ka Tadka, I was paired up with Sharad Kelkar and Paresh Ganatra and there was a particular episode where we did a skit on the three judges – Shekharji, Rohitji and Archanaji. I was playing Archana Puran Singh and though I was very tense, I guess it came out well. All the judges came up on stage and congratulated me. That has to be my most memorable performance till date. Is there a Bharti Singh we don't know? Yes, there is. She used to be a national level rifle shooter and was sad that she could not afford a rifle because it cost Rs 10 lakh. Today I can afford it! I want to start that again as and when I have the time. There is always a time for your passion and I want to do that at the right time. What are your future plans? I have done one Punjabi film called Noor and am shooting for another titled Band Toh Bajega Pakka. I am paired opposite Punjabi singer Labh Jhanju (who sung the Jee Karda number from Singh Is King).