Salman Qureshi one of two Pakistanis competing for ‘Funniest Person in the World’ title

The two comedians, who are already in the top 20, became part of competition after submitting three-minute video each

LAHORE: The ‘Funniest Person in the World’ title is quite an accomplishment and two stand-up comics of Pakistani origin are in the run for it, this time around. Dubai-based Pakistani stand-up comedian Salman Qureshi of Racy Desi and Umar Ranar of Comedy Masala have both been shortlisted for the biannual Laugh Factory global competition. Well known comedians like Russell Peters, Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carey and Eddie Murphy have all performed at the The Laugh Factory platform.

The two comedians, who are already in the top 20, became part of the competition after submitting a three-minute video each. In order to be deemed eligible, contestants have to be contacted by The Laugh Factory itself. “I was originally asked to represent UAE but I requested them to let me represent Pakistan because well, dil dil Pakistan,”Qureshi said.



He began his comedy career eight years ago after trying his luck in the banking and oil and gas industries. “I’ve ruined every industry I’ve been in, they’ve all collapsed so now I’m a full-time comic,” he quipped. “I saw Saad Haroon in Dubai and was largely inspired by him.” Last year he got the opportunity to perform alongside Haroon in Karachi and soon after, hosted him and Danish Ali in Dubai. Haroon also got the second funniest man in the world title in last year’s Laugh Factory competition.

“The comedy scene in Dubai is growing quite rapidly,” Qureshi explained. “When we started, we had to build it from the grassroots level. The advantage in Dubai is that the venues are more suitable for comedy, but one of the most prominent perks of performing in Pakistan is that there is more leniency in what one can talk about.” As a foreigner in Dubai, Qureshi bases a lot of his jokes on observations, life in the city and personal anecdotes. “I like to link them up with what’s going on in the world and popular culture.  I believe anything is up for grabs in comedy as long as it’s funny,” he added.

Qureshi also conducts comedy classes in Dubai. “Stand-up has a structure and you can teach them that,” he shared. “One can develop how to look at the world and express oneself. My stance is that anyone can do stand-up and I fight the myth that one needs to be funny to become a successful stand-up comic artist.”

While he continues with his stand-up shows and sketches with Racy Desi, Qureshi is hoping to lock the big title. Online voting is open until October 1 and the 10 finalists will battle it out for a $100,000 prize at an event in Finland. Qureshi is also hoping to return to Karachi with a show towards the end of the year. With him he plans to bring a Dubai-based troupe. “It [the show] will be about the dichotomy of how as an expat you’re made to feel like an outsider in Pakistan and abroad you’re still an outsider,” he laughed.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2016.

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