BEING A DAD CHANGED MY OUTLOOK ON EVERYTHING, SAYS KENNY
‘PUSHING BOUNDARIES IS TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING PEOPLE DON’T TALK ABOUT’
In a comedy landscape often defined by shock value, Kenny believes that comedy can be both clean and edgy. He says, “You can push boundaries by also being clean. Pushing boundaries is not just about how unfiltered or crass or taboo a topic is. I would define it as talking about something that people don’t talk about.” “And when I refer to ‘clean’ comedy, it’s not about being safe. It’s clean language, no crass or below-the-belt topics. I talk about sex, but I approach it differently. I’m addressing the subject, which, inherently, isn’t ‘clean.’ Especially in India, culturally, people focus so much on the container and the language, that they miss the point. They get caught up on the words, like, ‘How could you say that?’ I don’t want people to get distracted by that. I want them to focus on the subject. And using clean language helps an audience focus on the content, not the words,” he says.
‘I WANTED EVERYBODY IN MY FAMILY TO BE ABLE TO SEE MY SHOW’
“I chose to be a ‘clean comedian’ because I wanted everybody in my family to be able to see my show. In fact, I want everybody to come and enjoy my show. I also realised down the line, that it opens up more avenues for me. If you are clean, you are friendly. I’m one of the few comedians who also perform in schools. But the disadvantage is, it’s very hard,” says the comedian. ‘A SONG’S FAILURE FROM THE START IS ALMOST IRREDEEMABLE’ Kenny, who often weaves music into his sets, tells us, “With music, the bulk of the creative work happens before I reach the audience. I have to conceive the idea, the tune, the lyrics, the chorus, the vocal delivery, and the stage performance. Then, it’s a direct interaction: it either works or it doesn’t. Unlike stand-up, where I can salvage a joke by noting which parts landed, a song’s failure from the start is almost irredeemable. You can’t keep singing if it’s not connecting. These two art forms have vastly different processes and require distinct approaches. In stand-up, my aim is to be both funny and convey a message. In music, it’s purely entertainment.”
‘THERAPY NEEDS CONSISTENT EFFORT’
Kenny has been vocal about his thoughts on therapy. “Five years of therapy has helped me realise my resilience. Throughout my life, I’ve faced a lot of negativity. Like our education system, which discouraged musicians and artistes, and people who labelled my expressiveness as ‘over the top.’ There’s been a lot of confinement, pressure to conform. But I fought through. This a personality that I got from my parents or my environment — I inherently knew I had to protect this personality. On stage, I found a way to showcase it, and that proved to be enough. I didn’t need to manufacture quirks; I just had to bring my true self,” says Kenny. He adds, “Many comics are now talking about therapy, demystifying it. It’s not a quick fix, but a system for managing life, like healthy eating or exercise. I saw therapy as an upskilling tool. Just as I manage my finances and physical health, why not my mental responses? Therapy is great for exploration, but like a gym membership with a trainer, it’s useless without consistent effort.”
‘BENGALURU GAVE ME A SENSE OF STABILITY’
For a young Kenny, Bengaluru provided a sense of belonging he’d long lacked. “My dad was in the Navy, so we were always moving, living in Gujarat, Kochi… So, when my dad retired and we came to Bengaluru, it was just…peaceful. For a kid, you know? Not having to say bye to your friends all the time. It was peaceful. And I’m so glad it was 2000s Bengaluru that I landed in during my formative years. The universe, my dad, whatever it was that made this random call, and I got to grow up in this amazing, like, nourishing place. I’d be a totally different person if I’d been somewhere else. At that time, my dad was just like, ‘Bengaluru’s nice, good weather, it’s chill’. But I’m a stand-up comedian today because of that decision. Looking back, I’m glad,” he says.