From social media sensation to professional actor, Kusha Kapila is winning hearts with her comic timing, acting talent, and down-to-earth persona. We chat with her to know about her journey, favourite cuisines, travel
diaries, and more.
By ANANYA BAHL

From Fashion to Comedy
At my last job, I was working as a fashion and entertainment writer at iDiva, a lifestyle portal for women. At some point, they decided to introduce video-based content, since Facebook and Instagram had become the epicentre of all the action, and were capturing the attention of more and more people. So, the company started making videos. As the need for actors arose within the firm, and there was no concept of getting separate talent to fill the gap, it almost became a part of my job profile! Our creative director would just put all of us writers in front of the camera and that’s how my journey began.

A Knack for Comedy
I definitely was a performer all through school and college. I don’t think I saw a lot of women perform comedy while growing up. Of course, there were women in my family who would sit separately from the men and joke around but that was it. However, I was always the entertainer, for sure. My friends and family often asked me to perform little skits and mimicry, which I did quite happily!

Laughter Knows No Gender?
What’s interesting to me is that the baseline for men and women is not the same. In the comedy space, women have to work twice as hard than, let’s say, men, to be taken seriously. So, firstly, you have to be really good at what you do. You also have to hit the right balance as a woman, as there are many details and issues to be figured out. Women comics get tonnes of negative and regressive comments on their social media videos. But things are changing now. With such large-scale online access, we have a bigger outreach and don’t need to wait for the approval of only men who were once considered the original comedy audience. In fact, 70 per cent of my audience comprises women, who are very appreciative and encouraging. And since I often express my experiences as a woman, it resonates with my audience to a great extent.

On Body Positivity
This is constantly a work-in-progress for me! I do have low days, occasionally. And I think we need to find a middle ground as it’s not always easy to tune out the noise. One bad comment, trigger, or picture can sometimes adversely affect even the strongest individual. At the end of the day, the truth is that you will always be more than your body. It simply can’t be the most interesting thing about you, unless you’re a gymnast or fitness influencer. Unfortunately, we internalise body shaming in our society. Try and go beyond that. Whatever you are today and whatever you will become is so much about your personality, kindness, skills, and more.

Foodie Files
I really enjoy all kinds of cuisines. And when I crave something, I have to eat it mmediately! I’m also the kind of person who can have the same thing over, and over, and over again! In Delhi, it’s definitely gol gappe (Indian sweet-and-spicy street snack) for me. In fact, I prefer chaat in Delhi to Mumbai’s fare. There’s Natraj and the famous gol gappe of Chandni Chowk but, for me, because I grew up in Pitampura in West Delhi, I always try and go to a specific vendor in the main market there. I also love dahi bhalle (dumplings in yogurt) in Bharat Nagar, and South Extension’s bhel puri and sev puri (street snacks). My mum cooks delicious methi (fenugreek) chicken, lemon mutton, rajma chawal (kidney beans and rice). And my all-time favourite meal is the dosa she makes with a tangy tamarind chutney.

Restaurant Radar
In Mumbai, I adore Tanjore Tiffin Room. They do South Indian food in a modern avatar. I also like Izumi; their hamachi sushi and black sesame ice cream are yummy. In Delhi, Andhra Bhawan is fantastic. I love to binge on Nirula’s hot chocolate fudge and lime ice. I love Ping’s for Oriental fare. And TK’s Oriental Grill at the Hyatt Regency Delhi for their live grills. I’m currently obsessing over the mutton momos whipped up at Jalsa in Gurgaon. Everyone who comes to my house has to try those momos! Everyone should also go to Bhawan in Gurgaon for a meal at least once.

Love For Desi Snacks
As you can see, I have a special place in my heart for Delhi’s street food and chaat. In Mumbai, they serve delicious Gujarati snacks on film sets in the evening. I love binging on patra (rolled taro leaves). My family is from Himachal Pradesh and we make patod, which is a less sweet version of the patra. I also order in a lot of
dhokla (steamed rice snack).

Exquisite Meals Around The World
Oh, I’ve had some exceptional food around the world and even right here at home! In Aberfeldy, Scotland, I enjoyed lovely farm-to-table meals. It’s a concept I experienced and loved in the outskirts of Melbourne, as well. Then, I felt thoroughly spoilt for choice at Sona, Priyanka Chopra’s restaurant in New York City. And in Los Angeles, I went to this restaurant called Bacari where I savoured a rather unusual dish. To me, it was unusual that I even liked it! It was caramelised Brussels sprouts with a creamy topping. I mean, I went back to have them again, they were that good! More recently, I went to Saz on the Beach in Morjim, Goa, where I tucked into juicy prawns. At Raas Devigarh in Udaipur, I’ve had the good fortune of eating healthy meals that taste great, too.

On The Map
My favourite country up till last year was Italy. But it quickly changed after I went to Thailand. It has to be one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited and the food is delectable. I tried octopus for the first time there. The desserts are fantastic and I’ve not tasted anything like the local mangosteen in my life. The chefs at Soneva Kiri on Trat Island pampered us with such great food!

Looking Forward
I have three movie projects coming up. I can tell you about one. It’s called Sukhee with Shilpa Shetty in the lead. Watch this
space for more!

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