Shashank Khaitan Says Comedy Is Cinema’s Most Effective Way To Deliver A Message

Comedy, according to filmmaker Shashank Khaitan, is one of the best ways to convey a message to viewers. Khaitan – known for his Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt-starrer debut Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania – claimed that his early recollections of watching films with light-hearted first halves and sombre second halves have influenced his current style of filmmaking.

Khaitan feels that when people laugh, they become more receptive and retain the information better than when it is conveyed in a serious or rigid manner. According to Khaitan, humour is a means of connecting, entertaining and provoking thought in addition to making people laugh.

Comedy as a Storytelling Tool

In a conversation with The Times of India, Shashank Khaitan clarified that many films

he watched as a child in single-screen theatres in Nashik started off humorous before delving into more profound feelings.

“Back in the day, cinema was a complete experience… you watched a film like Shola Aur Shabnam — the first half was just a comic riot, and the second half was dark and intense,” Khaitan said.

He claimed that this combination made films both entertaining and meaningful. The filmmaker recalled how early scenes of a film would captivate audiences with laughter and spark their interest in the plot. “We didn’t understand the screenplay back then, but we knew the film was engaging,” Khaitan added.

Examples from Bollywood

Khaitan cited a number of popular Indian films that employ comedy to communicate important ideas. He cited films like Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Three Idiots, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani and Chhichhore as instances where humour helped in imparting valuable life lessons to viewers.

“Sometimes, I feel comedy is better than giving out a preachy message,” he said, adding that he himself tried to use this concept through his movies. “To speak about things that affect me … and wrap them in a story that’s entertaining and makes people happy,” Khaitan noted.

Why Comedy Works Best

Comedy, according to Khaitan, can express societal concepts without coming out as serious or weighty. He claimed that he likes stand-up comedy and often watches it right before bed because he finds it amusing how artists make basic realities seem funny.

“I’m also self-deprecating in nature, in real life. I’m a huge fan of stand-up comedy. I always watch one stand-up show before turning in for the night. I just enjoy it,” he said.

The filmmaker noted that comedy is a personal choice as much as a creative one. “I feel comedy is the best way to communicate a message. Someone might laugh at it, but they take it home with them,” Khaitan said.

Shashank Khaitan’s Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) celebrated traditional Bollywood romances, while Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017) tackled more sombre themes without losing its entertainment value.