Papa CJ returns to the Fringe for the first time in four years. Successful throughout India and Asia, he tells us all about Naked.

1. Tell us about your career so far. Are you happy with where you're at?

I started comedy in 2004. I've done about 2,000-odd gigs in 20-odd countries and I'm not entirely unhappy with where I'm at. I love what I do, some people like my comedy, some even pay for it and one or two paying punters even come back a second time. By any standard that's a good result. I've been based in India since 2008 and in 2014 a publication in Malaysia gave me an award for 'Asia's Best Stand-up Comedian'. We all know comedy is subjective and 'best' doesn't necessarily mean a lot, but that isn't stopping me from using that award in all publicity to whore myself out at every opportunity.

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

Naked is an autobiographical tale that straddles the genres of storytelling, theatre, stand-up comedy and lap dancing. It is very, very, very funny.

3. Why are you putting yourself through this famously stressful experience?

I'm really, really excited about my new show. It is a show that means a lot to me personally and a show that reflects a step change for me in terms of my growth as a performer and a human being. I want to share it as far as wide as I can. Edinburgh is a great place to not only showcase it but also to find people who might be interested in touring it elsewhere. Naked has already been invited to represent India at the Shared History Festival in South Africa in September.

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

The show is called Naked. And it is free. What more could I possibly do!

5. How much money do you think you'll lose/make this year?

Do you really think I'd be coming up to the Fringe if I were the kind of guy who did that math!

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

The compere offered to sneak me on to stage at the infamous comedian-slaughtering Late 'n' Live on the last Friday of the Fringe in 2005. This was 9 months after my first ever gig. I kept getting bumped lower down the bill because it was a rough night and the acts on stage weren't doing well so they didn't want to risk putting me on. Eventually I ended up closing the gig and killing it! I don't think I slept for two days after that.

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

Some festival favourites, some friends' shows, some acts who I've never heard of before and whatever else looks interesting and can be fitted into my schedule and rapidly declining bank balance.

8. If you took over programming a venue, what would you perfect line-up of comedians be?

Adam Hills as host, Chris Rock as opener and George Carlin headlining. And if there's space for a middle spot, Louis CK.

9. Name the one person you'd rather not bump into during the festival.

My grandfather. Coz he's dead. So that would be odd.

10. Why should audiences pick your show over the 1,700+ other comedy offerings at this year's festival?

This show has received a standing ovation every single time it has been performed in India. It was the only solo English show from Asia to be invited to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. And I'm the only comedian from a country of 1.3 billion people bringing a solo show to the Fringe. So I'm confident that what I have to offer is unique, of high standard and will be memorable.

'Papa CJ: Naked' is at 7:45pm at Espionage on 6-23 August. Listing