Just a funny guy

Part of the budding set of minority stand-up comedians in the UK, Imran Yusuf confronts politics, religion and multicultural issues with dollops of humour

Over the past few years, Imran Yusuf has gone from being an oddity to a regular in the British comedy circuit. Of Indian origin, this 33-year-old is part of a budding set of minority stand-up comedians in the region. "I was born in East Africa, I look like an Indian but I sound like a white guy. That really messes with people," he says, laughing over the phone.

The cultural confusion began early for Yusuf, who is set to perform for The Comedy Store in India later this month. When he was small, his parents moved from Kenya to the deprived borough of Hackney in East London. "My family was upgraded from the Third World to the ghetto," he says in his act, adding that they are Konkani Muslims who at some point became Cockney Muslims. Hackney's mix of communities also helped shape his comedy, most of which is observational and talks of multicultural issues.

After plans to become a video-games designer did not work out, he stepped into an industry he knew little about. "As a teenager, I had discovered The Comedy Store on cable. I didn't know anything about it, but I knew I wanted to be there."

The skinny funny man started by performing for free at a comedy festival in Edinburgh to hone his skills, before he was noticed and given the best newcomer award at the Fringe arts festival in 2010.

Usually clad in a suit and slim tie during his routine, Yusuf looks like he belongs in a company boardroom rather than on stage. While he says the clothes are a nod to his stand-up idol Chris Rock, who wears suits in his shows, they could have something to do with his approach to comedy as well. He treats it as business, where profit is essential. "That's something very Indian about me," he says. "I plan everything - check if I can have a good life, raise kids and send them to school." His eventual plan is to start a video games company and the ultimate dream is to be in a movie with Jackie Chan.

Owing to his Indian lineage, Yusuf is frequently asked whether his parents were pleased with his decision to be a comedian. "But I'm a 33-year-old man!" he protests. "As long as I'm not doing anything objectionable, they're happy."

Just as in his career choices, he steers largely clear of the offensive on stage too, because as a comedian the job is to make people laugh, not cry. Described in reviews as 'positive' and 'enthusiastic,' his act also has touches of self-help. "I'm just a naively optimistic guy."

There are, however, rare occasions when someone in the audience gets miffed. "Talking about social injustice involves being critical of certain policies or governments," he observes. "Sometimes, people do go 'Woah!' when they don't agree with what I'm trying to say." Among the serious topics he confronts with humour are politics, social classes and religion.

Racial profiling bothers him too. Yusuf, who is used to being picked up for random searches and interrogations when travelling, says it has become ridiculously acceptable in current times. "I wonder if the government really is watching and snooping. If they were, they would know that I'm a comedian who has travelled a lot, done shows and been written about."

He breaks the tension of the issues- and observation-driven routine with animated gestures and a curious dinosaur impression.

Yusuf credits the Indian audience with being very comedy-literate. "They seem to get everything. They're not coming out just to get drunk, like it happens sometimes in the UK." He toured Mumbai with local artists in 2012 and is busy gearing up for his first hour-long special in the country. "It's going to be great to talk to an audience that can relate to me. I already wish I could stay longer."

You can catch Imran Yusuf's act at: The Comedy Store, Mumbai on September 21, 27, 28, 29; The Comedy Store, Hyatt, Bangalore on September 22