Why so serious?

Sorabh Pant performs at a comedy show

This writer is one of the 12 obscure readers who comic Sorabh Pant imagined will read his new and first non-fiction release, Vote for Pant But, Don't! (Rupa Publications). She also identifies as a member of the unprofessed club of hard-to-offend humans. Now although qualities - of products of a thinking mind and in people - are relative, a declaration of intent is fair beyond doubt. Pant's foreword is suitably titled Disclaimer. And it is here that you decide if you want to read on further. It can hover for its plain-spoken writing, blunt comment on socio-political matters, and open admission of a common man's struggle to comprehend government reforms. But above all, its sense of satire prevails.

A word of advice: The book can rile up zealots.

We vote to elect. If we think the title hints at electing a PM, Pant affirms our guess. According to him, PM can be anything from particulate matter and private message to post-mortem, Principia Mathematica - a three-volume work in formal logic, and (P)religious Messiah. While the author is fluent in humour, his estimations of change by the timing of the book's release are blemished. We are glad that the book came out before "the Indian cricket team was replaced by AI robots" and before "printing presses across the country could gather junk and collapse".

Does being a comic help share insights on state affairs?
Being a comedian, I travel a lot. And so, I get to read the political pulse of the people of India, and their range of reactions. Having said that, I don't think we are as insightful as we think ourselves to be. Experiences shape our views, and that's a recurrent theme in my book. I share mine, and that can be different from yours. And that's fine! Expecting people to be civil about such differences is a problem nowadays.

You have written three fiction titles before this one. What prompted the socio-political premise?
Fiction-writing happened when I had a lot of free time. Fiction takes time; you have to plot out a story and think of character arcs. It is easier to write non-fiction, I reckoned, because I know my character arc. My assumption was right to an extent until a certain virus took us on. The book happened three months after the pandemic hit us. I had not been on stage, and that kick of performing on stage had to be met somehow. Basically, someone had to suffer for my comedy [laughs].

What response do you anticipate from the 12 readers who you think will read the book?
All I want from readers is a five-star rating on Amazon. I want you to be amused by the book and think of it as a value-for-money purchase.

While the language is direct, the seething anger comes across. For how long have potholes haunted you?
There's a bit of anger, but I love Mumbai. I have lived in 10 to 11 houses here, and each time there was a lane outside my home that was constantly being constructed. I don't know if I am putting it out in the universe, but it's true. Despite all the insanity, I quite like the city.

Will Sorabh Pant tell us if he will ever contest elections in India?
I don't think I will ever try to become a politician. I remember, as kids, 16 of us used to play cricket together. This one time, we were voting for a captain and I bagged two votes. I cast one vote for myself. I wasn't even keen on giving it to myself, but I did because a few others told me they won't vote for me so I should help my cause. I don't think I am cut out for the political world.

Although a sharp satire, the book ends on a note of hope...
I have seen my opinions on a lot of things change because I spoke to people, and they were kind enough to hear me out and share their views. We should do that more. The core idea of this book that I have done some basic research for [like any other person would on Google and news portals] is to make people read, laugh and help each other. The pandemic has already taught us to coexist.

Cost: Rs 231