City
Epaper

I experienced racism and prejudice at a young age: Russell Peters

By IANS | Updated: September 6, 2019 18:10 IST

Tickling the funny bone comes naturally to Russell Peters, who makes people chuckle with his jokes on cultures, ethnicities and stereotypical accents. The Indo-Canadian stand-up comedy star says he has experienced racism and prejudice at a very young age.

Open in App

"I experienced racism and prejudice at a very young age and it really affected me. I couldn't understand it, so I've spent most of my life exploring race and culture and our so-called differences," Peters told .

Even though he jokes about everything, religion is something the funnyman will not touch.

"I won't touch religion. People are prepared to die for their religion, so what's the point of going there?" he said.

Peters has drawn criticism that his humour banks on stereotypes. He stresses that it exists for a reason.

"Stereotypes exist for a reason. I'm not making them up. I'm very honest in my act; if I don't know anything about a group of people I won't say anything about them. I also won't do jokes about people that aren't in the room to hear them. The positive feedback that I get is that I'm actually acknowledging everyone and speaking to them from a place of knowing them and understanding them," he said.

"There's no malice in my act. It's fun and silly," added Peters, who is popular for his catchphrase "someone's gonna get hurt real bad".

He says his late father helped him shape his comedic voice.

"My dad was the funniest guy I ever met. He was dry and very British. He also had a real love of comedy and the spoken and written word," said the 48-year-old.

Peters returns to perform in India in October as part of a return leg of his smash hit "Deported World Tour" with Zee Live.

"I'm not a political guy but I am a brown man born in Canada, and living in the United States. The possibility of people who look like me being deported is a reality for a lot of people these days," said Peter, explaining the relevance of the word "Deported" in the title.

He is excited to be back in India. "I really do love being there, so when these dates became available, I was like 'I'm in!'. I've also never been to Pune, Ahmedabad or Hyderabad, so this should be fun. These shows are also among the final dates for Deported."

He calls this tour more personal.

"I talk about life as a middle-aged man with health issues, young children and struggling with relationships. There is, of course, my usual racial and cultural observations and other assorted silliness."

Post his shows in India, Peters is off to "Kuwait and then a show in Indiana and The Deported World Tour will be over."

(Durga Chakravarty can be contacted at durga.c@.in)

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: PeterPetersindia
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalIndian Student in Canada Shares Gruelling Work-Study Routine, Internet Reacts

InternationalDonald Trump Hellhole Remarks: Iran’s Mumbai Consulate Takes Dig at the US President With Cultural Jab

InternationalIranian President Calls for Constructive Role of Brics to Halt West Asia Conflict During Talks With PM Modi

LifestyleEid 2026 Date: When Will Saudi Arabia, UAE and India Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr?

MaharashtraMaharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Unfurls 200-Foot National Flag at Nagpur’s Kasturchand Park

Entertainment Realted Stories

Entertainment"Used to remember 8-10 pages of lines": Ashoke Pandit pays tribute to late actor Bharat Kapoor

EntertainmentHarry Styles, Zoe Kravitz are engaged

EntertainmentDhurandhar 2 Box Office Collection Day 40: How Much Did Ranveer Singh’s Film Earn on Its 6th Monday?

EntertainmentMonths after AI misuse, Taylor Swift files to trademark her voice and likeness

EntertainmentIdris Elba marks 7th wedding anniversary with wife Sabrina, calls marriage "magical"