How this comedian is educating and entertaining people about disability with comedy

Comedian Karan Shah, a disability rights activist, uses humour to normalise his wheelchair, and engage people

The rolling comedian—that’s what Karan Shah’s Instagram states he is. The 25-year-old disability rights activist calls himself a “sit-down” comedian: His wheelchair is his throne, and his platform for educating people while entertaining them. While disability has always been viewed as a sombre topic to skirt around, Shah says it’s his greatest strength: “I’m spreading awareness through fun. The first step is accepting yourself and not caring about being judged—the Karan I am today is because of my disability.”

A bitter experience searching for an accessible public toilet for two hours between Vile Parle and Dadar got him thinking about the need for disability activism. In 2017, he began talking about these issues on social media, with the support of his parents. “People always expect a disabled person to be a source of motivation, not humour, which is the biggest challenge I face,” says the 2019 Bharat Prerna Awardee.

Shah, who is also a canine and feline behaviourist, says he makes fun of only himself only in order not to offend others. More than anything, his humour holds his place in mainstream society, and ensures he is not relegated to the shadows. In a recent video, he says, “Do you know why people cannot look at me for a long time? Because they know I cannot handle stares.” In another one: “My standards are high, but the stand is silent.”

Instagram: @rollyrollyshah

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