Stand-up comedian Sundeep Rao begins poking fun at himself right from the word go. His latest act is called Out of Sight and the irony is obvious because Bangalore-based Rao suffers from a condition of partial blindness. He, however, strongly rejects the notion that he is "suffering", but instead sees his impairment as a silver lining. "I was bitten by an anaconda," says Rao to those who ask him about how he lost partial vision. Waiting some moments for an awkward silence, he breaks into a chuckle and explains, "It is a degenerative condition that I was diagnosed with when I was nine. It generally doesn't happen to children, but, oh well... I like to believe that it happened to me because I was touched by Michael Jackson," says Rao. All other questions aimed at him guarantee an amusing answer.

Having started his career as a comedian in 2010, Rao had never before touched upon jokes regarding his condition but, in the course of maturing as a person and comedian, he has acquired the knack of opening up on stage and making a joke about things that would have otherwise annoyed him. His latest stand-up script is based on observations and experiences of growing up in India with partial blindness. "Growing up in India has been fun and frustrating at the same time. Commuting is very difficult so I have hired a slave from Ghana to take me around the city," says Rao, breaking into another chuckle, before adding, "No, I live with my parents and there are good people who help me find my way sometimes."

Dating is another thing that pops difficulties, but Rao has learnt the knack of handling it too by reaching the venue early so his date can look for him instead of it being the other way round. "Once I had reached the restaurant after my girlfriend and sat on the wrong table. Also, sometimes I end up hitting on men with long hair. These conditioners and hair styling products are such a menace," says Rao.

Though he does not wish to flaunt his impairment, he does not want to hide it either. Rao believes that it is his impairment that keeps him grounded. "I make a really big effort to talk about my condition. I might go on stage and totally bowl over the audience, but while coming down, I may trip and fall, or ask someone to help me down. It is the one thing which will keep me from getting cocky and always remind me that everyone has some imperfection," says the 30-year-old.

Sundeep Rao will be performing his act Out of Sight at High Spirits today, starting 8.30pm

SOURCE: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/fun-sighted/1157911/