Vir Das Explores Comedic Boundaries with 'Fool Volume'

New Delhi, Jul 17 (PTI) - Comedian Vir Das believes that as a humorist, his task is to deliver jokes and let the audience establish the boundaries. According to Das, "The things you think will get you in trouble never do; it's the unpredictable ones that catch you off guard." With a fresh special, "Fool Volume," following his international Emmy win for "Vir Das Landing," Das aims for a more light-hearted feel this time. "The audience will eventually tell me where the line is. I make the joke, and they let me know," he told PTI when discussing whether he censors himself out of fear of backlash.

The comedian claims audience sensibilities evolve, much like comedic material which changes over time. "There's stuff we did 12 years ago that's viewed differently now," Das said, observing how public perception has shifted. Known for stirring conversation with performances such as "I Come From Two Indias," Das has often found himself embroiled in controversies. Addressing whether he faces criticism questioning his authority to voice his opinions, Das said he doesn't subscribe to the belief that one must be 'somebody' to express an opinion. "I think you can say something and become someone because of what you said," he stated, advocating for open expression regardless of societal stature. Despite his significant following on social media, Das describes his persona humbly. "I'm an idiot," he asserts, emphasizing that neither intelligence nor academic credentials should limit one's ability to speak openly. His latest special celebrates this openness, encouraging audiences to embrace the 'fool' within.

The idea for "Fool Volume" sprouted after an ironic twist of fate - losing his voice during a career high point. While his family joked about the loss being a result of 'talking too much,' Das found an intriguing perspective. "If there's joy in your life, do you tell people? Should you be silent about your joy?" he mused, concluding that joy should be loudly embraced. Known for confronting online trolls with sharp retorts, Das keeps a positive outlook despite controversies. "If anybody can tell you the answer to [avoiding controversy], they're smarter than I am," he admits, while asserting optimism about the world improving. Despite heightened exposure to diverse opinions, Das believes genuine progress is being made. "The world is largely getting better," he opines, citing advancements in poverty alleviation, educational access, and medical developments.

Partnering again with Netflix, "Fool Volume" marks Das’s fifth collaboration on the platform. He views each show as a window into his most authentic self, reflecting more than just comedic prowess. "I've done my 10,000 hours with stand-up. I’m home on stage now," he mentions, asserting that his performances reveal his true persona, whether liked or not. At this juncture in his career, Das focuses on new ventures – writing shows, co-directing films, and penning "The Outsider: A Memoir for Misfits." Das approaches his comedic journey as a work in progress. "We've just landed on the highway and begun the journey," he remarks, looking forward to evolving his artistic voice. "Vir Das: Fool Volume" will be available on Netflix starting July 18.

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