Swati Sachdeva was all the buzz earlier this year when her debut standup clip ‘Love is Love’—her coming-out story—went viral. Sachdeva picked up loads of fans and has since decided on touring solo for the first time. The comic is on the road through November and December. Here’s the full scoop on her debut solo India tour.

1. QUICK! WHAT’S THIS SHOW ABOUT?

It’s anecdotal, me telling stories about my family and myself. Some observations and some random jokes here and there, but mostly the show is about how I’m currently doing in life.

2. ACCORDING TO YOU, WHO WOULD BE THE IDEAL PLUS ONE TO BRING TO THE LIVE SHOW?

I think a friend, a partner or a sibling would be ideal to bring to my show.

3. HOW MANY SHOWS ARE YOU DOING, ACROSS HOW MANY CITIES?

I’m not keeping a hard check on how many shows in a month or in the quarter. I try and do three shows a week at least. I also don’t do an overdose because I’m laid back. I like to enjoy my life.

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4. HOW LONG DID YOU SPEND WRITING THE SHOW?

Honestly, this is the first solo that I’m touring with, so I don’t know how many years have been put into this—it’s just an accumulation of my entire standup journey before releasing my first standup video.
If we want to really put it into years, it’s probably two years.

5. IS THIS ALREADY LEADING UP TO A RECORDED SPECIAL FOR A STREAMING PLATFORM?

Not as of now, it’s not leading up to an OTT release. It’s mostly random sets, so as long as I don’t have a narrative, I won’t be putting it out there as an hour. It’s more like [Instagram] Reel material as of now.

6. WHY SHOULD WE WATCH IT LIVE?

Because live standup is the best and I think I am pretty decent at it. I’ve been told that my vibe is really interesting on stage. Like, people do want to listen to me and what I’m saying. I don’t know how strong the jokes are—like they’re mildly strong—but I think it’s more like how original I am. I really think that I don’t have a conventional approach towards standup. I am more original than relatable, I guess.

7. HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME ‘SO RUDE OF ME’

My entire life I’ve been told that I have a slightly mean demeanour, but when people know me, I am actually a good person. So, my first impression is slightly on the rude side and also some of my thoughts and jokes are actually mean and slightly dark. That’s why So Rude of Me. Mein pehele hi batake chalti hoon ki mein toh hoon batameez, baaki tum apna dekh lo. Maza pakka ayega show dekh ke.

8. ON A SCALE OF 1-WTFAMIDOING, HOW NERVOUS ARE YOU?

I’m not really nervous. I’m not nervous about anything. I think I trust my process but there are days when I am insecure. I feel that I can do a better job than what I am doing right now. So, I don’t know what to really rate on this scale because this scale is only not the right benchmark.

9. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING ON BESIDES THIS IN THE LAST YEAR?

Apart from standup, I’ve been focusing on my health. I’m doing yoga, started it recently and it has been going well. I think I’ll continue it, unlike gym. I’ve been reading also a little bit. It’s interesting to have a productive hobby. Also trying to spend time with my friends and family. I don’t really try, I do. I have always liked living life and not being a workaholic. And honestly, I’m not crazy about touring all the time just because I’m selling tickets. So, I actually tend to enjoy life. Yeah, I think that’s what the point of existence is.

YOUR FIRST STANDUP VIDEO WENT VIRAL, HAVE YOU NOTICED AN INCREASE IN YOUR FANBASE? HOW HAS THE OVERALL RESPONSE BEEN?

Yes, there is increase in the fan base and better than that, the ticket count. I like it more than the fan base because it’s monetarily beneficial. Fan base is decent, they’re good people, young people but kabhi kabhi thode vichitra log ajaate hain, alag alag sheheron mein, thode hecklers bhi. And I think female comics ko thoda face karna padta hai ye because they think that they can put a woman down or make her feel uncomfortable but I am good with hecklers. Mein Delhi se hoon toh mein toh bauhaut batameezi pe utar aati hoon and So Rude of Me as it already goes. The overall response has been really good. It’s good to be recognised, but deep inside I always knew, not flaunting, but I always knew that I’m meant to be a star sort of a person. Like, I just didn’t see myself having an ordinary life. So yeah, it’s good.