Biography

Papa CJ is an established international comedian. Rumoured to be a direct descendent of the Maharaja of Merebaapkaraj (pronounced Mere-baap-ka-raj) in India, in 2008 he was chosen as one of the top ten acts in the world on NBC’s hit TV show Last Comic Standing. His cutting edge wit & social commentary represents the rising voice of a billion people and he has earned 'street-cred' by repeatedly storming comedy clubs across the globe. He has performed in North America, Africa, Europe and Asia. Most recently he had a sold out tour in India that received rave reviews from the press. A performer with a conscience, Papa CJ founded the charity One Child, which works with underprivileged children in India. This charity is funded by his comedy.

Aside from his comedic capabilities, Papa CJ has a well-grounded business background as well. An MBA from the University of Oxford, he has worked as a management consultant in London for 5 years. He is also currently an executive coach and works with senior executives from blue-chip companies all over the world.

Papa CJ has been employed by clients in multiple roles including performing straight stand-up comedy, as an MC and compere for corporate events, as a host and presenter for high profile award ceremonies, as an auctioneer at charity events and as a performer at private functions.

FAQs

Where were you born?
I was born in New Delhi on International Women's Day in 1977. I lived in Calcutta for 20 years while going to boarding school at the Lawrence School Sanawar in the lower Himalayas.

Where is home for you?
As the cliche goes - where the heart is. And the heart is definitely in India. That being said I travel constantly. Think of me as a kite in the sky with the string attached 28° 33' 54" North, 77° 10' 21" East!

When did you start doing stand-up comedy?
I started doing stand-up comedy in November 2004.

What were you doing before you did stand-up? If you weren't doing stand-up comedy, what would you do?
Before doing stand-up I did an MBA at Oxford and worked as a management consultant in London. Having started doing stand-up, my brain no longer has teh creative capability to even imagine anything else I would do if I didn't have stand-up in my life.

What is the best part about being a stand-up comedian?
Waking up late, never having to commute at rush hour, traveling to interesting places all over the world, working less than two hours a day, exercising free speech in its truest form and of course, spreading laughter and cheer!

What is your favourite venue?
The Comedy Store in London

Do you write your own material?
Yes.

Is Papa CJ your real name?
Papa CJ is not the name I was born with but is the name I have taken.
As a teenager I witnessed a brutal assassingation involving an International mafia cartel. I have since been under a witness protection programme by the Interionatal Court of Justice in The Hague...so I cannot reveal my true identity.

What are you like off-stage?
Chilled out, down-to-earth and easy going. Pretty much a regular guy who likes hanging out with friends, watching movies etc etc.

What advice would you give an aspiring stand-up comedian?
Firstly and most importantly, enjoy yourself. Secondly, take your time. Stand-up is not easy and its more a marathon than the 100m. Experiment and figure out who you want to be before you announce yourself to the world. In fact, more than who you want to be figure out who you ARE. Stand-up is a never-ending journey of self-discovery. Do it for you before you start doing it for others.

How can I get you to perform in my hometown?
If you follow the links on my website you can 'Create a Demand' for me to perform in your home town. If enough people from your town or city get on and emand that Papa CJ comes there...then I will have little choice but to plan a trip!

What is your favourite film?
Scent of a Woman and Taare Zamein Par

What is your favourite food?
Indian food definitely! I love chicken curry and rice. I love good kathi rolls. And I love tandoori food…kebabs-shebabs and all. But I’m a foodie in general…only unlike most Indians, I’m a lightweight when it comes to spices.