MIGHTY mimicker Kaz Kazerooni has become a social media sensation with his amazing talent for taking off people of numerous nationalities and plans to continue his mission to bring a smile to the faces of his growing band of followers.
He is keen to emphasise that his rich variety of characters are not supposed to cause offence and must be taken in the spirit of good cheer and merriment.
The 39-year-old Bahraini driving instructor, who joined the social media world around 10 years ago, only started racking up thousands of followers on Instagram around six years ago when one of his most popular characters named Raj Kumar Ji became a huge draw.
Other short video sketches and comical characters followed as his craft expanded across different online channels. “I’ve always had an ear for music and sounds,” said Mr Kazerooni, who plays the piano and also spins the discs as a much-in-demand DJ.
“That’s probably why I’m so good at different accents and impersonations. I knew I had a knack for it from the age of about nine and I’ve always loved making people laugh. When I joined Instagram, followers enjoyed my skits and characters and that’s all I ever wanted to do really – make people smile and make their day with a touch of my sense of humour.”
The Zinj resident’s characters and accents are featured in an array of situations from running regular errands to finding the funny side of difficult situations such as being stuck at home with Covid-19.
His alter egos include Bahraini Ja3far, Filipino Tony Bayang, Persian Afsheen and Egyptian Hamada Mido. He also has a Bahraini Fa6oom, American John Wayne, British Dave and an Indian/Malayalam Raj Kumar Ji. He throws in some marvellous Russian and Lebanese-inspired accents too.
“I watch a lot of different videos when it comes to creating a post or story,” said Mr Kazerooni who now boasts almost 35,000 followers on Instagram. “Once I have an idea in my head, I immediately start recording it on my phone … but I will not post it unless it makes me laugh out loud. Only then do I know that it is post worthy!
“My account is for people that love to smile. That’s the whole point really as I love seeing people happy. It’s simply a great feeling to see and hear. When I get a nice message saying that I’ve made someone’s day – that means the world to me! I always encourage people to message me and tell me how they feel because that gives me more of a push to make more funny videos.”
However, it’s not always easy to get it right as the man with many accents and personas has received the occasional hateful messages and comments about his posts too.
“I have received backlash from my skits and some people thought that I was being racist,” he explained. “But there is a big difference between making fun of someone and sharing my talent, in my opinion. Unfortunately, some people can’t tell that.
“I simply don’t engage with them. If you can’t understand comedy then my page is not for you. You need to have a sense of humour.”
Although his comedy capers have made him ‘Insta-famous’ he’s not a fan of all social material currently being posted.
“There are lots of people that have no talent whatsoever but will have a million followers,” suggested the comedian who is inspired by stand-up and TV personalities such as Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias and Trevor Noah.
“So if you’re talented it is not a big deal anymore and that’s what makes me sad; that people don’t look for talent anymore.
“Either way, I will give it my all to make someone smile because that’s what I want to achieve. I want to put a smile on people’s faces, send messages through comic relief and show the world that Bahrainis are really talented although sometimes underrated.”
His other occupation is no joking matter though … and something he takes really seriously.
“Being a driving instructor is hard work and I don’t mix my social media life with my driving lessons,” he said. “Learning to drive is a serious matter so when I’m an instructor, I am not the same Kaz you see on Instagram. I’m actually tough and very strict as any of my students will tell you. Although I do pick up different accents from the people I meet while teaching!”
mai@gdnmedia.bh
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