June 2014 69 www.bahrainthismonth.com Often called the “funniest man in Bahrain”, our guest this month is a multifaceted entertainer. From being a radio presenter to a disc jockey, an MC to a stand-up comedian, Imran Al Aradi attributes his versatility to being comfortable in his skin and thriving on the pressure of “no retakes” in his line of work. Seated in the backseat of a gleaming Jaguar XJ, he joins George Middleton for a conversation about how he got started in this field, his own inspirations and the family in Pakistan who, more often than not, make their way into his jokes. George: When did you realise that you were not cut out for a nine-to-five kind of job? Imran: I think I figured that out the day I got a nine-to-five job, which was years ago in my early twenties. The confirmation kicked in, in 2006, when I made my first appearance as a comedian and I realised that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. One of my favourite sayings is lucky is the man who has his hobby as his job for he’ll never have to work another day in his life. George: What’s the best thing about speaking to strangers on the radio? Imran: The fact that when you turn the mic on, you’ve got tens of thousands of people listening to you and one of the greatest feelings is when you start getting positive feedback from total strangers. George: Making people laugh isn’t the easiest of tasks; what’s the secret of your success? Imran: I have no secret. I guess I always wanted to be a comedian, even from my early teenage years. I was crowned the class clown in high school and, when I started doing stand-up comedy, a lot of people told me that they kind of figured I was going get there one day. I guess its the fact that I don’t have a problem in being myself in front of strangers and acting silly sometimes and that’s actually pretty much it… there is no secret. BLIPP THIS PAGE TO: WATCH BACKSEAT CHAT INTERVIEW WITH IMRAN AL ARADI WATCH THE JAGUAR XJ INNOVATIONS VIDEO EXPLORE THE JAGUAR XJ VIEW JAGUAR XJ IMAGE GALLERY CONTACT EURO MOTORS George: Imran, you’re a Bahraini but you also have an extended family in Pakistan, who normally bare the brunt of your jokes. How do they feel about it? Imran: They actually take it very well. It was interesting for them to find out that there was an entertainer in the family because all my cousins on my mother’s side are doctors, engineers or bankers, so they love the fact that I am into entertainment. They are always asking me for videos and YouTube links of my sessions. So they are very interested in my work, which I thought was pretty cool. And, of course, it’s easier to make fun of them when they are not in front of you. George: Do they get your jokes? Imran: (Laughs) I don’t know…I actually don’t know. George: We’re now going to throw some quick questions at you and we want immediate responses. If you were to play a two-hour set, would it be DJ or stand-up comedy? Imran: Given it’s a two-hour set, then DJ. Do you really want to hear me talk to two hours? George: Russell Peters or Gabriel Iglesias? Imran: Russell Peters. I relate to his jokes a lot more. I am half-Pakistani and he has Indian roots so, yeah, I get him. George: If you were to play Game of Thrones what character would you be? Imran: Definitely the dragon lady. You cannot be cooler than a lady who owns a bunch of dragons. George: You have to tell us a joke? Imran: Now that’s never happened before, sitting in the backseat of a car, a Jaguar XJ. Well what do you call a guy at the floor of a car, right next to your feet? — Mat! George: Well that was rip-roaringly funny! Imran: (Laughs) No it wasn’t! Imran Al Aradi with George F Middleton The Jaguar XJ is available at Euro Motors, the official distributor for Jaguar Land Rover in Bahrain
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