What happens when a Canadian-born man of Anglo-Indian heritage with roots in Calcutta comes calling on his “home” crowd? The homeboys go home with aching jaws and some red faces. Or so we learnt when Russell Peters, the politically incorrect, often X-rated, always funny man took the Science City stage on Thursday night.

Russell couldn’t “let the family down” with his debut Calcutta show, not with his mum in the audience. And he didn’t disappoint; though we aren’t so sure that she approves.

The crowd had come to laugh and laugh it did — from 15-year-olds to 65 year olds; the “Calcutta Chinese” to the Parsis; your average Indian to the rare white-skinned spectator —whether it got the joke or not.

Here are moments for those missed it:

“I have always identified myself as an Indian. I am Indian. In fact, that has been my answer to every question I’ve ever been asked, whether it makes sense or not. ‘What is your name?’ I’m Indian. ‘What do you do?’ I’m Indian. ‘Why are you late?’ I’m Indian…. So sometimes it does make sense.”

“There are some things that only happen in India. Have you ever seen rats with attitude? I saw some the other day when I was walking back to my hotel at night; these were giant rats rummaging through a pile of garbage. I took out my phone camera to get a video, and this rat stopped and stared — with attitude. ‘What, what?’ he said, ‘You want some?’”

“I hate soccer. And I hate the soccer World Cup. Because the two countries that represent me never make it to the World Cup. Canada doesn’t, for obvious reasons. It’s a ‘world’ event. We don’t go take part in world events…. And India…I mean, come on, this is a country of 1.2 billion people and we can’t find 11 f****** guys who can kick a ball?”

“In India, grown-ass men hold hands. It is the only country where it is acceptable for two straight guys to hold hands. And you know they are straight because as they walk pinky-in-pinky, they are trying to pick up girls!”

“People have been getting upset about what I am saying about Bollywood. Fact is, I don’t like Bollywood. I like real movies; you know, where real things happen, where people do not break into a song-and-dance routine and run around trees and through fields. Those are musicals, man. It’s a genre, not an industry! I mean, hey, you’re a grown man. What are you running through a field for, shouldn’t you be at work?”

What the crowds came for

Martin Chakpram, consultant: “I’m obviously excited about seeing Russell in the flesh. I’ve been a big fan so I just had to catch him at a Calcutta show.”

Mahesh Kumar, businessman: “I didn’t know who Russell was till my son introduced him to me through his YouTube videos. Then we got hold of his DVDs, so yes, we are pretty familiar with his brand of comedy. I’m absolutely thrilled to be at his debut Calcutta show along with my family - and I didn’t expect a crowd turnout this huge!”

Subhajit Chowdhury, landscape designer: “I’ve been a big fan of Russell through his YouTube video clips, and I think he’s brilliant. It’ll be interesting to see what a largely Bengali audience thinks of his sense of humour though.”

Raja Sinha Roy, businessman and Ruplekha Sinha Roy: “We have been recently introduced to Russell’s stand-up act and we think it’s hilarious. We’re looking forward to a great evening!”