Growing up as an obese kid, comedy was the defense mechanism that Tanmay Bhatt turned to, to make himself affable. Little did he know that it would eventually become a career, and he, a revered artiste. While he struggled to find his voice in the beginning, Bhatt reveals that the challenges he faced then are in stark contrast with the ones youngsters face today. "Ours were better," he says. From turning performer, to a mentor now on Amazon Prime's new show, Comicstaan, he says he hopes to encourage discussion on relevant issues, including mental health.

Edited excerpts from the interview: