Noted comedian Bhagwant Mann has claimed that comedians play a pivotal role in society by evoking laughter and reducing stress.

''In the wake of vast response to humour and entertainment all channels have included laughter shows in their programmes. Laughter shows go a long way in reducing fatigue and mitigating stress,'' he said while talking to press here today.

Mr Mann said that he owed his sense of humour to his native land of Sangrur in Punjab where spontaneous remarks in the village ''Chopals'' stirred peals of laughter.

Wondering why flags are kept at half-mast on the deaths of dishonest leaders, he said that flags should be unfurled higher on the deaths of corrupt politicians.

Mr Mann said corruption that had growth like a cancer and its ramifications were afflicting the entire socio-economic fabric of the nation. Corruption has been targeted in one of his latest comedy show to be telecast shortly.

He said comedy was the best means to expose, humiliate and bring down the corrupt. He said he was averse to the use of vulgarity in humour as it defeated its very purpose.