THE SATURDAY CLUB had A GOOD LAUGH WITH ANGAD SINGH RANYAL
You know it’s going to be a great show when the house is full. Stand-up comedian Angad Singh Ranyal took the stage for Black Dog Sparkling Water presents Easy Evenings, in association with t2, on December 16 to packed grounds at The Saturday Club. His jokes meandered from the city’s one-way roads to him being a “skinny Sardar”.
“I think the show was amazing, a lot of people were responding and it did not look like an audience that was new to stand-up comedy. I think the online presence of stand-up comedy has helped. It always feels nice when your jokes are appreciated,” said Angad, an engineer- and MBA-turned-comedian.
After the show, t2 caught up with Angad Singh Ranyal...
Best gig so far...
It has to be my first gig. I made 60 people go LOL and won that competition! The first time is always special.
Favourite city to perform in?
Umm... has to be Delhi. Home ground is always great. Plus, I can get local references for them, so it’s fun.
Your comic inspiration?
In the Indian context, I really like Raju Srivastava and Kapil Sharma.
Favourite comedy film?
Andaz Apna Apna.
A film that makes you cry?
Haha! I do not remember the last time a film made me cry, but if I had to pick one, it would be Taare Zameen Par.
A show you’re streaming online?
Stranger Things. I watch it in Delhi with my family because I am scared to watch it alone. Haha! And right now, there’s a fellow comic, Sumukhi Suresh, who has created this comic series called Pushpavalli on Amazon Prime and that’s really exciting.
A comfort food item?
Has to be chicken wings.
Current celebrity crush?
Deepika Padukone.
A pre-gig ritual that you follow?
Having black coffee. Even if I’ve had five coffees during the day, I would still never go to perform without my cup of black coffee.
It was the first time in the history of the club that a stand-up comedy act took place. I was a bit apprehensive at first but with a turnout of over 550 people, the response was overwhelming. I personally like the contemporary and satirical genre of comedy that Angad specialises in.
— Dipak Doshi, convener, entertainment, The Saturday Club
I laughed out loud when he cracked the joke about how his mom was called in to sort a fight when he was in high school. In college, we used to have a few boys from Delhi and they would also have the concept of ‘compro’, as in compromise, during a fight. That was quite relatable.
— Aditya Beri, director at SNS Minerals, who was accompanied by wife Vidhi
Stand-up comedy along with the outdoorsy ambience of The Saturday Club made for a refreshing winter evening outing. Angad’s rib-tickling humour on Calcutta’s idiosyncrasies ensured it was relatable to one and all.
— Shashank Agarwal, entrepreneur, accompanied by friends (l-r) Ayush Tibrewal, Nikhil Daga, Ruchika Daga and Shrishti Jain.
Text: Zeba Akhtar. Pictures: B. Halder
A ROFL EVENING WITH VARUN THAKUR AND T2
Mumbai funnyman Varun Thakur brought the house down at Ozora in Acropolis Mall on December 9 with his jibes at everything from Indian TV commercials to WhatsApp groups that never stay silent. The stand-up act was part of Black Dog Sparkling Water presents Easy Evenings, in association with t2. The evening was filled with laughter as Varun cracked jokes on middle-class problems, Indians’ “obsession” with a foreign degree and poor cellular connectivity, among other things. Though we missed Varun’s stage alter-ego, Vicky Malhotra, we included him in the t2 chat with the YouTube star.
Your one-hour stand-up comedy feature — Vicky This Side, Varun That Side — is popular on Amazon Prime...
It is great that Amazon had approached me for it and it is definitely a big deal for me. Comedians like me look forward to go up on some platform and I have been given that. I couldn’t thank them more.
How did you like the crowd’s response this evening?
People in Calcutta understand my jokes, they actually get everything. And I love performing in Calcutta! I had no idea that the show was sold out, and there were people standing at the back because there was no room to sit. That is always a good sign!
Where do you draw the line while performing?
Honestly, I’ve never thought about the line. I will be playful with the audience and have something interactive going on but just because I have the microphone in my hand doesn’t mean that I feel the need to insult them. I’m not trying to discourage anybody as every comedian has their own way, but if I find something funny in my head, I will go forward with it. I follow politics but I’m not a political comedian, so I’m not getting into trouble there either.
Any celebrity you want to collaborate with?
Most Indian comedians are my friends. But if I had to name a few international artistes, I would probably say Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld. They are just too good! And my idea of a collaboration with them is that they perform and I just watch from the side! (Laughs)
We did not see Vicky Malhotra tonight. Can we speak to him?
(Mimics Vicky Malhotra’s voice) Yes! I could be Vicky, I could be Varun, I could be anything. Myself can talk to yourself as anyone! (Laughs and breaks out of character) I think the best thing about myself is that I laugh at my own jokes, I crack myself up!
How would Vicky respond to:
1) Despacito: Can someone stop that song? It plays everywhere. Myself open the fridge and I can hear it. I put the gas on and suddenly the song starts playing.
2) AIB: Oh, my buddies! They’re thought leaders. They have set up the stage for us. If I had to describe them in one word, I would say ‘inspirational’.
3) Salman Khan: Bhai! I love bhai!
“Varun is known for his quick wit and humour. His jokes weren’t very lengthy and he wasn’t dragging them on, so they reached out to people,” said fashion designer Abhishek Dutta.
Vipasa Tekriwal, who was with friend Richa Agarwal — an “avid Varun follower” — loved the ambience and jokes. “I like how his jokes were inspired by middle-class problems and current affairs. His views were just spot on!” said the chartered accountancy student.
DJ Rahul Indoria and his friend Ipsita Chakraborty were seen giggling at Varun’s humour. “The show was a lot of fun and I had a great time listening to Varun’s jokes,” said Rahul.
Pampa Das, a software professional, did not know of Varun before this show. But she was completely bowled over. “The funniest parts were when Varun cracked jokes about advertising and teleshopping. His stage presence, his voice... I loved all of it! I will start following him,” she said.
Text: Urvashi Bhattacharya
Pictures: Koushik Saha
