Imran Al Aradi is a stand-up comedian, master of ceremonies, radio host & DJ—by Bahraini standards, a pretty unusual set of talents. We talked to Imran about his diverse background, how he started, and unconventional strategies for success. Now’s your chance to listen in!
Well, I was born to a Bahraini father and a Pakistani mother, and this background forced me to learn several languages: English, Arabic, Urdu, and Punjabi. I graduated from Naseem International School in 1999, then received my Bachelor’s in Business Informatics at AMA International University. I travelled down several traditional and non-traditional career paths before I found my inner entertainer. I started out in I/T and telecommunications, and at one point, I was even a full-time martial arts instructor! My current (and hopefully final) role is that of stand-up comedian, MC, and radio host at 96.5 FM.
How did you get into the business of comedy?
In 2008, I was asked to host the Axis of Evil comedy tour in Bahrain, with comedians Maz Jobrani and Ahmed Ahmed. It was an incredible experience that influenced my decision to pursue stand-up comedy, though I really never intended for it to become a full-time career choice.
What is the business of comedy like?
Comedy is no joke! There are two sides of the business: the artistic side, which includes the talent onstage—and the commercial side, which involves promoting the artist, organizing the event or show, selling tickets, advertising, and even merchandising. The business of comedy might seem like fun and games, but there’s a lot of hard work involved behind the scenes, and it can be really challenging. It can also be rewarding, but it definitely requires a solid, long-term commitment.
I am regularly approached by businesses and individuals alike who inquire about investing in comedy, then expect to turn a profit on the first show. This is possible, but it’s not guaranteed. Establishing a brand and creating a strong following is extremely important, not matter how big your artist is. If the market doesn’t trust your brand, your business is in trouble.
What else do you do, other than making people laugh?
I host five shows a week on Radio Bahrain 96.5 FM—so basically, I talk to myself and play other people’s music! I am also a very active host for lots of corporate events throughout the year.
Does hearing people laugh make you feel good?
Absolutely! Making someone smile or laugh is the best part of my job. One of my favourite things about being a comedian is the opportunity to bring people together from different backgrounds and ethnicities, uniting them in laughter. A member of my audience once told me, “I love coming to your shows, because I forget about all my problems.” Laughter truly is a balm for the soul.
Were you always funny?
I’d like to think so. I’ve always enjoyed making people laugh. This irritated a lot of teachers along the way—especially in college!
Did you already know what you wanted to be when you were younger?
I thought I did. I wanted to be an IT professional; but after I succeeded in that area, the only thing I wanted to do was get out of it! Deep down inside, I knew I wanted to be an entertainer.
What makes you different from other comedians?
I come from two different backgrounds (half Bahraini, half Pakistani), which is great for writing material. It also helps me to cater to a wider audience, like the Bahraini, Indian and Pakistani crowd.
Unlike other comedians, I dedicate all of my time to stand-up comedy, which gives me the ability to focus on promoting myself and writing new material. It also gives me the freedom to travel and perform at any time.
What lines wouldn’t you cross, as a comedian?
A comedian has to understand and respect his audience and his country. Topics such as religion and politics are sensitive, and shouldn’t be used as material. I also avoid delivering sexual content in my routines. I like to think of myself as a “family-friendly” comedian.
Would you classify your comedy as observational humour? What is that like?
Yes. I get my material from my experiences, and also through observation of everything around me. The entire world is my muse. A situation as simple as a taxi ride can be very fruitful for writing material.
What is it like coming up with new material? Is it a lot of pressure?
Actually, it’s a lot of fun coming up with new stuff and testing it on the audience. Bahrain is a very small country, and comedians constantly need to come up with new material, which can be very challenging. I take every opportunity to write new stuff, and keep a notepad where I record all of my ideas.
What’s something new you tried recently that you hadn’t experienced before?
I went to the gym.
Is having celebrity status in Bahrain a burden to you?
I wouldn’t really call it celebrity status. The way I see it, in Bahrain, everyone is a celebrity! Bahrain is so small that everyone knows everyone else, which is one of the nicest things about our country.
Did you ever reach a point where you thought about quitting what you’re doing now?
Not really. I love what I do, and even if I decided to make some changes, I’d simply tone things down—but I’d never actually quit.
What about people taking offense? Are you worried about offending someone through your work?
I am very careful when it comes to offending the audience, though I do believe that no matter how careful you are, you can’t possibly please everyone.
Have you had mentors during your career who helped you out?
I was very lucky to get advice from Russell Peters, and lots of help from Maz Jobrani, who mentored me during a tour of Saudi Arabia a couple of years ago.
Who was most supportive of you as a photographer? Who was least supportive?
I’m not that great with a camera, but I know I’ll make a great supermodel one day! Just kidding. I know you probably forgot to change the word to comedian, LOL.
My family and friends were very supportive, especially my fiancée, Zainab. She has played a very big role in standing behind me and helping me achieve my goals. On the flip side, a lot of people criticized me for pursuing comedy. Plenty of them attempted to convince me that stand-up comedy was only a hobby, with no possibility of a future.
What was the biggest risk you took in order to advance your career?
Despite my financial responsibilities, I took a leap of faith and became a full-time entertainer with no safety net. Being an artist is definitely a struggle, but it can be very rewarding if you play your cards right.
When did you start making a living as a comedian? What was that like?
It took me a good four to five years to make a good living at it. It’s like any profession; you can’t make a lot of money from the very start. I had to work my way up by gaining experience, perfecting my style, and constantly innovating ways to promote myself. When I asked Russell Peters for advice, his first words were, “Are you ready to be broke for the next four years? If you are, then you have a great chance at making it.” I had no idea what he meant until I experienced the financial challenge of being an entertainer in a country that only considers it a hobby.
What was your first official gig?
The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour, Bahrain, 2008—with Maz Jobrani and Ahmed Ahmed. I remember walking through the audience to the stage. It was the longest 30 seconds of my life! I had no idea what was going to happen. I just went with the flow.
What do you think of the state of comedy in Bahrain today?
Bahrain still has a long way to go when it comes to stand-up comedy, but it has picked up quite a bit in the past couple of years. We’re still missing stand-up comedy performances in Arabic, but they will happen. I still come across people who find it bizarre that someone would get on stage, crack jokes, and get paid for it! I’ve also experienced corporate types attempting to hire me, then acting very surprised when I send them a quote!
What do you usually do in your spare time? Where do you hang out? What do you like to eat?
I spend most of my free time at the gym or with my family. I don’t have a specific hangout place, but I enjoy a quiet atmosphere where I can easily converse with friends and meet new people. Thai cuisine is probably my favourite.
What have been your biggest challenges?
I’d say sustaining a living has probably represented the biggest challenge. It still does, but it’s not as difficult as when I first started. Another challenging part of being a comedian in Bahrain is the size of the country. I constantly have to write new material every time I get onstage.
Did you have any financial support from organizations in Bahrain?
Besides getting hired as an MC or comedian, not really.
We’re sure what you do can be stressful at times. How do you overcome that?
I always allocate time for stress-relieving activities. I believe exercise is the best and most effective way to release tension.
If something really amazing were to happen to you (or your career) tomorrow, what would you want that to be?
To be signed by a recognized talent agency that specializes in managing stand-up comedians.
What is a typical day for you?
My days are all pretty much the same. I wake up early and head to the gym, then host my regular shows on Radio Bahrain. I spend the rest of the day in meetings or planning my projects.
What mistakes have you made over the course of your career?
I took too long to create a proper web presence and develop my profile. I should have utilized social media more effectively.
What self-marketing do you do, and how do you currently promote yourself?
Having a website is very effective, especially for getting business around the GCC. Most of my business comes from personal networking and recommendations from comedians I’ve worked with. YouTube, in particular, has done wonders for my career as a comedian.
Do you think being a comedian is a fruitful career in Bahrain? Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, it can be—if you have the skill and patience to wait years before earning a good living. I wouldn’t recommend stand-up comedy to anyone specifically, since that’s a personal choice—but I highly recommend giving it a try!