It would seem that dressing up as a woman really works. Men in drag are proving to be a rage not only on television, but on social media too
Gaurav Gera as Chutki dances with Salman Yusuf Khan
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In ancient times, when men dressed up as women on stage, it was the need of the hour because there was a dearth of women who did theatre. Over time, the paradigm has shifted from necessity to providing entertainment, and somehow it always makes the audience chuckle when they see men dressed up as women. Case in point: Kiku Sharda or Ali Asgar flirting with Bollywood celebrities on The Kapil Sharma Show.
Gaurav Gera as Chutki dances with Salman Yusuf Khan
In season 7 of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (JDJ), the channel introduced Kiku as Palak on the reality show and he kicked up a storm with his performance. This year, the makers have roped in Guarav Gera as the new man in women's garb to compete in the dance contest. But, Gera claims it is no mean feat. The actor says in his Chutki and shopkeeper videos, he only had to concentrate on his facial expressions, but on JDJ, he has to be careful about how he walks, talks, the body language — and dancing in heels, of course. “I have been watching Kiku's videos from the previous season and there are too many steps. I still dance like Mithun Chakraborty and Rajesh Khanna; I am a very '70s man. Today, dancing is too crisp and fast. I am trying to rehearse in heels and since I am not used to it, it makes my legs ache. It's quite a challenge.”
Ssumier Pasricha as Pammi Aunty
Does dressing up as women really work? “If it weren't working, it wouldn't exist. There is a supply because there's demand for it. It's not something I started a year ago. I was a big fan of a show called Little Britain; the producer of a show wanted me to do something like that. So, they came up with a show called Dekh India Dekh (2009) where I played a female character, Malti Manohar Mishra, for the first time. When I began making videos online from 2010 to 2011. Then I came back in 2015, Chutki became a sensation. I think it is interestingly weird and the concepts are not regular. That's why people are attracted to it,” said Gaurav.
Kiku Sharda as Palak
Kiku, who began donning the female avatar with Great Indian Comedy show in 2005, believes that people's acceptance of an artiste as a woman is the most difficult part. Once that happens, it's an achievement. “Certain faces are harsh and masculine, and turning those into a woman's face can be difficult. It can go wrong and make you look really bad. Luckily for me, being chubby and plump worked in my favour. I could easily pass off as a woman. The softness in tone, women-like gait and feminine demeanour can be difficult to achieve. There has to be acceptability in what you do. So often, people talk to me as if I am a woman. I think that's an achievement,” he says. How do people react to a man playing a woman? “Before these videos became a hit, people were a little judgmental. I did get comments of people asking me to behave like a man and not be cheap, but they were few. Initially, I thought I get a mixed reactions, but after it became a hit, 90 per cent of the junta appreciated what I did, baring a few,” expressed Gaurav.
Ssumier Pasricha claims that his family was not kicked about his Pammi Aunty avatar at all. “Initially my family was not keen on me doing something like this. They didn't know what could be done about it. But now, they are extremely proud of it and are enjoying its success with me.”
Gaurav claims that he is wired as Chutki, but only as one of the many characters he plays. “I am a grown up guy; I am not going to transform into a girl by doing these videos. I am too stubborn to change like that. My parents know that Chutki is a character that I can get in and out of easily. This character appeals to me, so my parents are with me. Initially, my dad would ask, 'What's the use of making videos and uploading them?' But truth be told, I have made maximum money in the last year with those videos.”
Who is more popular? The female or the male avatar? Kiku replied, “I have done FIR and Akbar Birbal, which have both been successful. I have enjoyed playing both characters and received immense love for it. However, since the Kapil Sharma Show is more popular, the characters get a lot of attention.” Ssumier believes the popularity of a character depends on the extent of its connect with the audience: “Any character which touches people's hearts will always find popularity. For an actor, playing a man or woman hardly makes a difference. I believe I am getting more respect and it's an honour to know that people like what you are doing.”
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