--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had this very strict rule when I began…" description: "\"I had this very strict rule when I began auditioning that I wasn't gonna do a thicker accent, because it was like, 'I can't tell if it's supposed to be..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e8/kumail-nanjiani-7820_character_i-had-this-very-strict-rule-when-i-began_949359.jpg" --- # I had this very strict rule when I began auditioning that… ![“I had this very strict rule when I began auditioning that I wasn't gonna do a thicker accent, because it was like, 'I can't tell if it's supposed to be funny because he talks funny.' And now I feel like there are certain characters that I could play that could involve doing a thicker accent, as…” quote by Kumail Nanjiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e8/kumail-nanjiani-7820_character_i-had-this-very-strict-rule-when-i-began_949359.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e8/kumail-nanjiani-7820_character_i-had-this-very-strict-rule-when-i-began_949359.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e8/kumail-nanjiani-7820_character_i-had-this-very-strict-rule-when-i-began_949359.jpg) > “I had this very strict rule when I began auditioning that I wasn't gonna do a thicker accent, because it was like, 'I can't tell if it's supposed to be funny because he talks funny.' And now I feel like there are certain characters that I could play that could involve doing a thicker accent, as long as it's specific to that character.” [Kumail Nanjiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumail-nanjiani/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He avoided thick accents to prevent confusion about comedic intent, later allowing them when character‑specific. **In simple terms:** Avoid confusing accents; use them only when essential to character. Key Takeaway Use accents purposefully, not as a default. Themes comedy acting character development Mood reflective analytical Type advice personal experience When to use this quote - theatre auditions - film casting - stand‑up routines - character workshops Key Concepts voice work audition strategy authenticity Questions to Reflect On - When does an accent enhance a role? - How to ensure audience understands the comedic purpose? A Different Perspective Accents can still be misinterpreted if not clearly tied to character traits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [I began auditioning for acting jobs at the ripe old age of 12. 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In the fall of 1994, I joined Pearl Jam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-irons/i-began-both-auditioning-with-pearl-jam-and-recording-for-eleven-in/) [Jack Irons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-irons/) > [There is no such thing as an ugly accent, like there's no such thing as an ugly flower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-crystal/there-is-no-such-thing-as-an-ugly-accent-like-there-s-no-such-thing/) [David Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-crystal/) > [“She's got an accent like yours, right? Like honey on a biscuit?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-w-robertson/she-s-got-an-accent-like-yours-right-like-honey-on-a-biscuit/) [Edward W. Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-w-robertson/) > [I was surprised by some of my French colleagues who immediately assumed that because I spoke English with an American accent, that, therefore, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toomas-hendrik-ilves/i-was-surprised-by-some-of-my-french-colleagues-who-immediately/) [Toomas Hendrik Ilves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toomas-hendrik-ilves/) > [An accent like mine defines you regionally, but it also gives you a class identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bishop/an-accent-like-mine-defines-you-regionally-but-it-also-gives-you-a/) [John Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bishop/) > [I'm from New Orleans, Louisiana. It's not a black-and-white type of thing down there. It's a very cultural place. 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I don't want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandip-gill/i-want-to-be-an-actress-that-is-forced-to-change-in-order-to-play/) [Mandip Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandip-gill/) > [“This is a work of fiction. If certain characters resemble people in real life, it is because certain people in real life resemble characters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-del-paso/this-is-a-work-of-fiction-if-certain-characters-resemble-people-in/) [Fernando Del Paso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-del-paso/) ## More by Kumail Nanjiani > [One of my favorite comedies is 'Shaun of the Dead.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumail-nanjiani/one-of-my-favorite-comedies-is-shaun-of-the-dead/) [Kumail Nanjiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumail-nanjiani/) > [I was extremely shy and had a terrible fear of public speaking. But I had fallen in love with stand-up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumail-nanjiani/i-was-extremely-shy-and-had-a-terrible-fear-of-public-speaking-but-i/) [Kumail Nanjiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumail-nanjiani/) > [I was on this path to becoming a computer-science guy, but I didn't like it. I got no joy from it. It was very,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumail-nanjiani/i-was-on-this-path-to-becoming-a-computer-science-guy-but-i-didn-t/) [Kumail Nanjiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumail-nanjiani/) > [TV requires a lot more patience. No one's ever like, 'I gotta get up at 5 A.M. and write my stand-up!' It's an easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumail-nanjiani/tv-requires-a-lot-more-patience-no-one-s-ever-like-i-gotta-get-up-at/) [Kumail Nanjiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumail-nanjiani/) > [I want to be so famous that I'm the pop-culture reference that people would make to try and be racist to me. 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