Anuvab Pal: ‘There is intolerance towards everything. Laughing is what makes it tolerable’

For many reasons, Indian comedian Anuvab Pal is excited to perform ‘The Nation Wants To Know', his one hour-long special, which was first performed in Mumbai. Interestingly, this will be the first time that he performs it at the Royal Opera House this Friday. It is a city venue, that the comedian, who is also known for the Stephen Fry-starrer ‘The Empire' comedy show, has always wanted to perform at in Mumbai, ever since he entered the standup comedy scene over 15 years ago.

Pal has now done over 1,000 shows of ‘The Nation Wants To Know' over the last decade around the world with the likes of Singapore, as well as cities such as Sydney, San Francisco before coming back to perform it in Mumbai. The special is the opening act for The Entertainment Factory's The Royal Opera House Comedy Series starting this month on April 26. Interestingly, this special by the playwright, who is also a screenwriter for the likes of Bollywood film ‘Loins of Punjab' (2007), will have a different flavour than all his other gigs performed around the world, he reveals, because there are some stories that he can tell in Mumbai, that work best only in Mumbai for him. Having spent 20 years of his life here in the city, that is what makes this even more enjoyable.

‘The Nation Wants To Know' is a special that takes a very funny look at India. It explores the quirks of different Indian communities that still continue to inspire Pal for his material; it also explores the colonial hangover of the British in India. Interestingly, the show also explores the oddity of news headlines, which are always the talk of the town now, and the absurdity of everyday Indian behaviour. It also dwells into the new high-rises that define new India to the digital India that older people struggle to comprehend making it one that everybody can identify with.

Over the years, comedians in India have been at the receiving end for picking up topics like politics, culture, and communities. With the social media boom turning from posts and tweets into reels and more, it doesn't take long for them to be trolled. However, Pal says he keeps it simple and lets the creative side of him take over because he doesn't have strong political opinions.

Ahead of his act, mid-day spoke to Pal about coming back to Mumbai and what makes his performance in the city unique. The comedian also dwells on why he loves focusing on the quirks of Indian communities, his fascination with news headlines, and how he takes the creative liberty with politics by thinking about his opinion than that of the audience.

Here are the edited excerpts:

Firstly, how does it feel to be the opening act for The Royal Opera House Comedy Series?
It feels great to be the opening act for the comedy series. I have wanted to perform at Opera House for years.

'The Nation Wants to Know' focuses on Indian communities among other things. What do you believe makes Indian communities unique as compared to communities around the world where you've performed. Which is your favourite Indian community to describe for their quirks?
There is no other culture that has so many distinctions and differences than Indian communities. Most other cultures are quite uniform.

News headlines and their virality are the talk of the town. What intrigues you the most about them and what made you include them as a part of this one-hour special?
When I began ‘The Nation Wants To Know', primetime news was the home for proper rubbish you could make fun of. Today, that has moved to Instagram reels but the idea of Indian news becoming comedy is great material.

Having already done over 1,000 shows around the world, what makes performing it in Mumbai special and will you be adding a local flavour to it?
Mumbai is home. It is where I have lived for over 20 years. There are stories I can tell in Mumbai that only work in Mumbai.

Your one-hour special has a lot of subjects that are constantly been spoken about in India. However, most often than not comedians have been at the wrong side of things for touching upon politics and more. Do you consciously try to find a balance between not trying to offend anyone or do you take the creative liberty by not limiting your writing?
I do take the creative liberty. Also, I don't have strong political opinions. I like to go with the flow and see how things evolve. I am less interested in offense and more interested in what my idea of the politics is. I try not to think about what people think or what people's opinions are. It is impossible to write if you think about the audience.

Do you believe there is still intolerance towards serious subjects being made fun of in a comedy special?
There is intolerance towards everything. Laughing is what makes it tolerable.

Ever since you became a standup comedian, how have you seen the Indian comic scene change?
The Indian comic scene is totally different now. There are thousands of comics.

In all this time, how have you evolved as a comedian?
I have not evolved enough as a comedian. I would like to evolve more, write more. I have travelled and seen a lot of the world, but I think as a comedian I need more tricks.

What inspires your act and specials? Do current affairs in India help you in the process because of so much that is being consumed daily through social media and reactions to it?
India's relationship with other cultures is what inspires my comedy acts and specials. How does the rest of the world see Indians? That is my favourite topic.

Lastly, where do you go after Mumbai? Are you working on any new material simultaneously?
After Mumbai, I go on tour across the United Kingdom from May 17 to June 8, ending at Soho Theatre from June 3 to June 8.

Event details:
When: Friday, April 26
Time: 7:30 pm onwards
Where: Royal Opera House Mumbai
Tickets: BookMyShow.com