Akshar Pathak: The Funny Bone

What do you find funny these days?

It's awesome to be able to see the funny side of things as they are happening. I laugh at incredibly inappropriate things. (Yep, it's gotten me into trouble more than once as well). Unexpected, or ironic things that happen to all of us all the time, you just have to look out for them. These days I'm loving how February is way better than January because by now 90% of the people have given up on their New Year resolutions so the treadmills at the gym are free-er.

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How do you react to trolls?

I don't really have many trolls. And even when I do, I don't let haters and trolls get me down. I have a professional team of trolls called co-corkers who constantly ridicule me all the time, so the online trolls don't bother me that much. Even if things get out of hands ever, I can always use the age old excuses 1) my Twitter got hacked 2) It was my nephew.

What’s funnier, media or politics and why?

That's like asking me to choose between Physics and Economics in the 11th standard. I understood neither and found both equally funny (and confusing).

What is your to-do list for 2018?

It's the same list every year:

• Get organised.
• Live life to the fullest.
• Limit junk food to only thrice a day.

Though I'll most probably spend the year in bed, deep under the covers. Curled up with a good book (and not reading it but watching trash on Netflix instead). You will never know your limits unless you push yourself to them. There will be obstacles (I will have to get up to get the phone charger from my bag). But with positivity, confidence, and trust in yourself you can achieve anything that you set your mind to.

What’s your not-to-do list for 2018?

Give it one more month, I won't have done anything from my to-do list for 2018, so I'll just write a 'not to' on top of it. My To Do list for 2018 will most likely end up being my not-to- do list.

What’s new with Minimal Bollywood posters?

I had stopped working on Minimal Bollywood Posters a few years back. Then I did a project called Tweetard and then a few other projects after that. Of late, I've been a blogger for a past few months, and it's the MOST DIFFICULT profession trust me. What are the easiest jobs you ask? Doctors, teachers and being a mom.

Suggest three ways to cope with this year.

Read more books: Books are just like movies except they write all the scenes in words and stuff. Read more so when people ask you if you've watched a certain movie, you can assertively say that the book was MUCH BETTER. Books are your best friends. And they can change your life. Especially your dad's cheque book. #bibliophile

Exercise more: Join a gym. And then aim for a million selfies at the gym. There's good lighting and large clean mirrors. Not only do you look EXTREMELY cool and #dope doing this, but you also burn ~3400 calories per selfie (no kidding) which helps you get your beastmode on. Win-win.

Travel more: “The world's a book, and those who don't travel read only one page”. Click pictures, and make sure you post a whole album. According to Portuguese traveller and fellow explorer, Vasco Da Gama, the number of likes on your check-in determines how good or bad your vacation will go. This one time Zoya Akhtar forgot to check in on Facebook, she had to take another vacation to check-in. That's why Dil Dhadakne Do was shot.

Your take on social media madness?

Every time I log in to Facebook, I'm bombarded with GOOD-LOOKING PEOPLE, EATING GREAT FOOD AT EXPENSIVE RESTAURANTS, TRAVELLING ALL YEAR ROUND, GETTING MARRIED, LOSING WEIGHT and what not. Which is mostly followed by me closing the tab and wondering "what am I doing with my life". It can get a little overwhelming at times.

STOP scrolling though other people's stories, watching them have fun while you sit on your couch in your boxers. Get off your phone/laptop and do something fun. I don't know what, just go feed a stray dog.

What is your message to your followers?

Now that I'm greying, I can freely use the phrase dhoop mein baal safed nahi kiye maine. My message to my followers is "Laughter is the best medicine. So, if any of you are ever feeling upset, or low, don't read my jokes, they won't help."

From the February-March 2018 issue of FHM India.