For urbanites unversed in Marathi, the idea of a man wielding a mic speaking the language to an audience often brings to mind Ravi Shastri’s booming “Kasa kai, Mumbai?” ritual that sets the Wankhede Stadium abuzz with excitement before every IPL match. In a quieter, yet equally passionate sphere, BhaDiPa, a group of Marathi stand-up comedians has been garnering chuckles, cheers, and even raging laughter for their performances around the world in the last seven years. The collective is now setting out in search of the next big Marathi comic through a state-wide talent hunt, Campus Bhankas.

Conceptualised by its founder Sarang Sathaye and creative producer Ameya Kadam, the tour will make pit-stops in six cities across Maharashtra, scouting for 
potential talents using college fests as a platform. “Colleges are a breeding ground for untapped and unshackled talent. Once you’re out of college, you’re bound by responsibilities and distracted by monetary endeavours,” shares Sathaye. The Mumbai layover is set to take place at Ramnarain Ruia College’s annual fest Utsav Aarohan. “I have judged stand-up competitions at the college fest before. When I approached them with the plan for the tour, they were welcoming towards the initiative; the goal to promote performance arts in the vernacular is a shared one,” the founder reveals.