12 Facts about Pandji Pragiwaksono that People Rarely Know, Nia Ramadhani's Husband's Childhood Friend - Once Kissed Arie Kriting

Kapanlagi.com - The name Pandji Pragiwaksono is known as a comedian or stand-up comedian. He can be considered one of the founding fathers of the Stand Up Indo community. Starting his comedy career in 2011, Pandji's jokes often stir controversy.

Behind his funny and controversial persona, there are many facts about Pandji that are rarely highlighted. From his childhood, which was a close friend of Nia Ramadhani's husband, to the days he lived without a single penny. Let's take a look at the complete facts!

1. Ardi Bakrie's Childhood Friend

Pandji Pragiwaksono © KapanLagi.com/Bambang E Ros

This fact may not be surprising considering that Pandji once lived in an elite area during his childhood. At that time, he went to the same school as Ardi Bakrie. They were so close that Pandji once visited Ardi's house. He revealed this in the Maya Hiduplah Indonesia Podcast on Monday (12/7).

"Ardi Bakrie might not remember me, but I remember once playing at Ardi Bakrie's house. I was in elementary school, and I saw that his house was huge. It was so big that there was a yard in the middle that could be used as a soccer field. Ardi said, 'Sometimes we use this for Eid prayers','" he said.

Not only that, Pandji also admitted to being fascinated by Ardi's toy collection. Yes, Abu Rizal Bakrie's son had a special room filled with toys.

"Ardi Bakrie, when he was in 6th grade, had a room full of Google V toys. When I entered, there were Google V robots as big as my thigh, all Google V," he added.

2. His Father is the Founder of INKAI

Choosing a path in the entertainment industry, Pandji apparently did not follow in his father's footsteps. Yes, Pandji's father, Koes Pratomo Wongsoyudo, is a Karate athlete. The late Koes was also one of the founders of INKAI. Pandji revealed this in an interview with Daniel Mananta on Monday (12/7) last week.

Koes once received a scholarship to study at Tokyo Denki University. While there, he not only studied but also learned karate from M. Nakayama's student.

"(Pandji's father is) a student of someone who learned from M. Nakayama. M. Nakayama was a student of Gichin Funakoshi, the person who created the sport of Karate," he said.

"My dad and 7 other people moved to Indonesia and founded INKAI. The first Karate organization in Indonesia," added the man who has toured the world doing stand-up comedy.

3. Not an Athlete, But Taught Never to Give Up

Pandji Pragiwaksono © KapanLagi.com/Bambang E Ros

There have been many bitter moments that Pandji has experienced. Nevertheless, he chooses not to give up. This is because he has been taught since childhood not to give up like an athlete by his father.

"I was raised as an athlete by my father who practiced Karate, and I was always told to do sports. So I never say 'I give up'. Because in sports, if you play ball and one person gives up, they look stupid. The game is still playing," he said.

4. Once Kissed Arie Kriting

Several times, Pandji himself revealed this fact on Twitter. He also reminded Indah Permatasari, Arie Kriting's wife, of how he once kissed Arie. As reported from Luna Maya's vlog in April 2020, Arie admitted that at that time, he and Pandji were attending a Stand-up Comedy festival.

"I was sick. On the first day I came, I performed while feeling unwell. On the second day, I forced myself to come. Turns out, when I arrived at the location, I still felt unwell, so I lay down and rested," explained Arie.

"I faintly heard Pandji's voice. Finally, he suddenly kissed me. When I opened my eyes, he had already finished kissing. That's why it really felt like my lips died," continued the man who once studied in Malang.

5. Have You Ever Been So Broke That You Couldn't Buy Milk

Pandji Pragiwaksono © KapanLagi.com/Bambang E Ros

Now he is well-established and even a director in his own company, Pandji apparently had experienced difficult times. At that time, he couldn't find a job at all and didn't have any money.

"My economy was collapsing, I already had a child. I didn't take a cigarette job because I have a cancer foundation. And then I had no money. I really had no money," explained Dipo and Shira's father.

Due to the difficult situation at that time, his first child, Dipo, had to drink water because his mother's milk didn't come out. Yes, Pandji couldn't afford to buy milk for his child.

"(for example) if you have a child. Your child asks for milk. The milk doesn't come out from your wife, so you have to give water. If you become a father, you would want to cry, right?" continued Pandji.

Not long after that, Pandji was trusted to become the host of a political talk show called 'Provocative Proactive'. Since then, Pandji has a new positioning as a political presenter. Various job offers then came in.

6. Never Stop Searching for Passion

In addition to never giving up, Pandji also holds the principle of 'stay open'. He is so open to all possibilities. Starting from aspiring to be an NBA presenter, he decided to become a broadcaster at Hard Rock FM.

After that, his career advanced in television. Starting from being a television presenter to successfully becoming a basketball presenter. It didn't stop there, he started working in the Hip Hop industry. Not kidding, Pandji even released an album and toured around Java-Bali.

Realizing that he can make people laugh, Pandji then switched to become a stand-up comedian. After that, he became a book author, film director, and even an actor. He acted alongside Reza Rahadian in the film RUDY HABIBIE.

In addition to all of that, Pandji is also an entrepreneur. He founded his own company called Comica.id. Amidst his busy schedule as a director, he still manages to create content on Youtube and podcast. The latest is that Pandji is trying his hand at puppeteering and also teaching stand-up comedy.

7. Once Didn't Believe in God

Pandji Pragiwaksono © KapanLagi.com/Bambang E Ros

Behind all the comedy, not many people know about Pandji's spirituality. Apparently, Gamila Arief's husband once didn't believe in God. He revealed this himself in Daniel Mananta's YouTube video on Monday (12/7) last week.

"Actually, I used to not believe in God. Not because of hatred towards what happened in my life. But you know, intellectual puberty? At that time, my idols didn't believe in God. It's not a superstar, it's my friend from the same complex," he said.

Pandji admitted that he didn't believe in God from junior high school until college. Until one day, his father came to meet him in Bandung and gave him a book.

"My dad came to Bandung to see me at ITB. My dad brought a book by Quraish Shihab titled 'The Miracles of the Quran.' That book changed my belief," explained Pandji.

"Since then, I may not be a perfect Muslim in terms of rituals and all, but you can't deny my belief that I believe in the existence of Allah," he continued.

8. His Piggy Bank Was Once Broken by His Own Mother

Pandji's life was not always stable. When Pandji was still a teenager, his father went bankrupt. The situation worsened with his parents' divorce. The economy collapsed to the point where his mother had to secretly break Pandji's piggy bank.

Nevertheless, Pandji's mother proved herself by reviving the family's economy. She then worked as a banker, enabling her to send all three of her children to college.

9. Once Invited to 'Misbehave' in an Empty House

Pandji Pragiwaksono © KapanLagi.com/Bambang E Ros

Pandji's high school years were filled with stories. He still remembers being invited to 'misbehave' by his friends in an empty house.

"In an empty house, there were 4 guys, including me. There were two girls there. Then they took turns playing billiards, I didn't know (they were) changing in the bedroom," said this graduate of Kolese Gonzaga High School.

Pandji was offered to join them in the room and engage in inappropriate activities, but he refused.

"I was offered 'do you want to, Dji?'. I know what they are doing. No one knows, no one is watching over me, but I didn't make the decision to do it," added Pandji.

10. Highly Inspired by Glenn Fredly

Although not often seen together on camera, Pandji and Glenn Fredly are good friends. Pandji even admitted that he idolizes Glenn. When Glenn passed away, he felt the loss of an inspiring figure.

According to Pandji, his special stand-up comedy titled Komoidoumenoi was inspired by Glenn. Glenn once held a concert at Instora Senayan. It was there that Pandji dreamed of performing Stand-up Comedy.

11. Don't Know How Many Years of Marriage

Pandji Pragiwaksono © KapanLagi.com/Bambang E Ros

Having a marriage that is far from scandalous news, Pandji admits that he doesn't remember how many years he has been married. This was revealed when he was asked by Daniel, "How many years have you been married now?" asked the former presenter of Indonesian Idol.

Pandji apparently never counted it. Because his wife said it's like being in prison if you count it.

"Oh, I don't count. In the past, I was like any other husband. I would celebrate our wedding anniversary. But one day, my wife said, 'Why count it? It's like being in jail, counting the days'. What I remember is that I got married in 2006," he explained.

12. Having a Wife who is also a Comedy Buddy

Behind Pandji's jokes, there is a role played by his wife. Yes, according to Pandji, Gamila is a funnier person than him. It's no wonder that Gamila is often chosen as Pandji's comedy buddy.

"At home, my wife is much funnier than me, it's crazy. People don't realize that my wife is funny, but I know where the humor is. She's my comedy buddy. A friend to talk about jokes," explained the man born in Singapore on June 18, 1979.

(kpl/tdr)