12 million views on YouTube across seven videos. That doesn’t really scream “underrated comedian”, does it? But Siddharth Dudeja is making his case to don this title with his new hour Underrated Comedian. After spending close to a decade in the scene, writing for Vir Das’ Weirdass Comedy, All India Bakchod and Son of Abish, he’s one of the most known names in the circuit. But that’s about it, according to him. He’s tired of being gatekept by his fans and wants to be promoted to an overrated comedian.

He kicks off the tour in Thane on 13 September followed by two shows in Mumbai. He then jets off to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Fans in other states—sit tight because he has promised to add more cities and be on the road till the end of November.

Read through to know what he’s willing to do for some extra money, why he wants you to bring hyenas to the shows and who he thinks is truly underrated in the Indian comedy scene.

Quick! What’s this show about?

The show is mainly a lot of my bits put together with some overarching themes. These include navigating life as an urban adult, being an “underrated comedian” and some pole dancing for extra money.

How many shows are you doing across how many cities? Will you be adding more shows in the coming months?

Yes. Currently we’ve announced Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. There are going to be more cities added—Gujarat, Delhi NCR, Pune and Mangalore hopefully. The tour is spread out from September to the end of November.

How long did you spend writing this show?

It’s a mix actually but 50-60% of the show has been written in the last one year.

Will you eventually be recording it for online release?

Yes, individual bits from the show will be released on YouTube.

What’s your elevator pitch for people to come watch it live?

Come for my show and make me an overrated comedian please.

According to you, who would be the ideal plus-one to bring to the live show?

I think hyenas would make great plus-ones because they laugh and also because they hunt in packs. So it wouldn’t be just a plus-one but like at least a +10 to +20. That’s my strategy to sell out the shows.

Why are you calling the show ‘Underrated Comedian’?

You will get the answer if you BUY TICKETS to my show.

On a scale of 1 – WTFAMIDOING, how nervous are you?

I’m actually excited this time. Love being on tour but I hate hotel beds.

Who do you think is another ‘underrated comedian’ in the Indian standup scene?

Lots of underrated comedians in the Indian scene—some guy called Bassi, this lad Upmanyu. There’s a new open micer named Aakash Gupta. If they really focus and work less, someday they will reach my level. Till then all the best to them.

What’s the best meal you’ve had while on tour?

Every city has great food to offer – Looking forward to biryani in Pune from ******. This amazing Hyderabadi meal at *redacted*. Blahblahblah has the best nihari in Delhi… actually all of India. This place XYZ in Bangalore has the best dosa in the world.

(If you want the names, buy tickets for my show and I shall give you the details. Nothing is free in life and my recommendations are worth much more than INR 499.)

You can get your tickets for Underrated Comedian here.