Comedian Alexander Babu on Performing With AR Rahman and Comedy During Divisive Times: ‘Everything Is A Joke Until It's About You'

When AR Rahman asked Alexander Babu to perform at his concert in Chennai, the standup comedian recalls being transfixed. For Babu, who has been delivering comedy through the sharp and indelible lens of a love for Tamil classical and film music, the answer was a no-brainer, even if the concert day collided with a private family observance. His rendition of Shahul Hameed's 'Rasathi', which was happily lapped up by fans at the venue and on the internet, marked a full circle for Babu.

In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, the popular comedian talks to us about his admiration for Rahman, writing comedy to reflect the political realities of society and his future work. 

What was it like to perform with AR Rahman?

It was quite surreal. I was moved by the whole thing. My wife has been manifesting that I meet Rahman sir for the longest time. I was called to interview him and was completely starstruck. I know about his generosity. He always sticks to love. He has been very graceful. Beyond music, too, I have always been inspired by how he carries himself. He keeps art above everything, and that is inspiring. I was moved to tears various times during the interview.

I don't know if this made it to the edit, but in a moment in the interview, I said he looked like a saint in the concert's poster. He was referring to the recent trolls and said, "Right now, I am more of a sinner than a saint."

He casually remarked,"Why don't we have Alex come and sing?" I think his team was saying something along the lines of the songs being cut down. He said "Illa, paathukalam pa."

He asked me if I'd be free on the day of the concert, but I had something else on February 14. It was my father's first death anniversary. My whole family was supposed to travel to my hometown and spend a day there. My brother was coming from Singapore. But this flashed into my mind very quickly — my father is a music lover. He introduced MSV and Sirkazhi to me. It was like my father was offering this gift on his anniversary.

My family flew down to Chennai, and I got them VIP lounge tickets. We went to the church in the morning and had our prayers. The evening was about celebrating music. It was an overload of emotions.

Did your dad introduce you to music?

Very much. He was a church singer. My thatha (grandfather) was also involved in playing harmonium and singing in the church. But nobody learnt it formally. Nobody knew ragam or pitch. He was in many ways passionate about singing 'Rasathi'-like songs. His throw was like that.

You're accustomed to one kind of stage, but this was different. How was it singing 'Rasathi'?

I've been singing the song since my college days. Like in my Wonderland shows, when I tell audiences that SPB is going to come next, I modulate my voice a little and put on a little accent, the audiences are tuned to hear him.. and then, they hear SPB.

'Rasathi', with its folk and modern touches, doesn't fit in any conventional genre. It's so earthy and new. It is such a special song. I've been training for a while, but I'm not on pitch every time I come on stage. I missed a cue for one of the lines. I was lost because at some point I thought somebody else was going to sing! On my stage, there is some leeway. Singing music is very different. Once you take your earplugs off, it feels like you're in a ghost bungalow. I experienced that for the first time.

Tell us about developing an interest in Carnatic music?

My father was fascinated with these complicated songs of TMS like 'Paatum Naane' and 'Isai Tamil Nee Seidha'. My brother would bring me a lot of Yesudas tapes. I also realised there's a structured way to learn anything. I took the Tabla with me to the US and started learning. I was jamming over the weekend in the Bay Area in light music. 

Carnatic training started when I was in my mid 20s. I've been learning on and off. The passion for good music and stand-up took me to all these different crowds.

You speak about being a Christian and learning yoga and Carnatic music. Are people still surprised by this fact about you?

There is still this lack of clarity in the way you interpret things. Like, for instance, sometimes people say, "If you say Om, you don't believe in Jesus Christ anymore." Unless you realise the means are many and the truth is one, that's where anything extreme comes in. Anything extreme doesn't do you any good. I get some comments saying you can't sing other songs. But there's a lot more acceptance. Sometimes I also see what I only want to see.

I have a lot of friends who are priests, who I called to watch my Madurai show. My school teacher, who is a Jesuit priest, came to the show where I was singing 'Mariamma.' I made a call where I made them sing along! There are enough people who see humanity in all these things. We live in a divisive time. 

How important is it to address the hard political realities of our country and society for you as a comedian?

It is important. I didn't start my journey thinking comedy is a tool and that I should do what the world needs. I wanted to get on stage and get claps initially. But somewhere you shift. In troubled times, art keeps the conversation going. You may be trolled, but something happens there. There is some reason why I'm working in this field, and you reflect in your own way. I might never be correct or perfect.

Some people tend to say, 'Stick to comedy, man.' But you realise everything is comedy until it is about you. Everything is a joke until it's about you.

Having said that, art is a huge shield. If I'm attacked, my jokes aren't strong. I have to take the hit and say, "Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you, but that's how I felt." The followers reduce, which has happened a few times... but we are not here to increase follower count. We are here to speak the truth and not hate anybody.

But you can't force it on every artist. Sometimes I don't force it on myself. When I write something, I ask myself, "Is this what I'd want to tell my children?" and then write it for them. The whole audience is an extension of my family. In a way, this has become a policy.

What you’re doing is very niche, which is comedy with music. How did you realise there would be takers for it?

I was married and had kids by the time I started doing stand-up in open mics, which were filled with young crowds. I was writing comedy around girls and makeup and all that. I was trying to write what the guys wanted to hear that evening, but my friends told me, "You write what you want to write about."

Somewhere, I realised I love singing. Also, religion was such a taboo thing, so how do we talk about it? How do we bring in terminology? It's ok to say I am a Christian and talk about what this life is, so that there is conversation about who we are and what we are. There is always diversity that has been driving me.

During the Harris Jayaraj set, I also sang a few lines; I had fun and it was a huge hit. After that I decided to write about Rahman and Ilaiyaraaja too; that's how Alex In Wonderland happened. The apprehension was definitely there. But it just worked and brought in an audience.

I keep telling myself I need to be ready to fail, but the hard work has to be there. The next set I'm writing about success and its dangers. Success is all about doing something better than other people. But happiness is different and important.

What makes Alex laugh?

I not only watch comedy, but many situations make me laugh. That can even be playing with kids and whatever they say... all that cracks me up. I like Gopi Sudhakar in Tamil. I like Robin Williams and can watch Jim Carrey clips any day. And of course, always Crazy Mohan and Nagesh bits.

Can you tell us about your future projects? 

I'm writing my next show. The plan is to start touring before the end of the year. I will start announcing once I get some content ready. I'll also start doing some tester shows.

Can we see you in films because I know you love acting?

I love acting, and this year is a beautiful time if somebody gives me an opportunity. I'll happily go if there is a shorter opportunity, but if there is a role that demands four months; I guess I can't do that because the stakes are high. If I want to tour the US, I have to book theatres a year ahead. If I want to be there in March, I have to premiere in India at least by December, which means the test show should start by September, which means the tour will be complete by August... so I'm already late!