Stand-up comic Anirban Dasgupta dissects his new solo show about parenting, childhood, and cricket
Anirban Dasgupta shares a light-hearted moment with his daughter. PICS COURTESY/ANIRBAN DASGUPTA ON INSTAGRAM
On Google’s search results, comedian Anirban Dasgupta is neck-to-neck with three IIT professors, a classical musician and a statistician who share the same name. We’re in conversation with Anirban, the ex-state-level cricketer, footballer and tennis enthusiast. Oh, and did we mention he’s a stand-up comedian too? “Comedy and sports, the two loves of my life. I’ve been itching to bring them together,” Dasgupta admits.
Anirban Dasgupta
Over a chat after his daily ‘baby duties’, the comedian opens up about his love-hate relationship with the city. In his latest video, Dasgupta takes a dig at Mumbai’s traffic, “They call it the ‘express’ ‘highway’. How can two positives make one negative?” We’ll leave that for his IIT namesakes to decipher. For now, the 37-year-old is excited for Cry Daddy, his new solo that is equal parts a rewind to his childhood and a highlight reel of parenting his own child in Mumbai.
“I grew up around Kolkata Maidan, where the city breathed sport. Everyone around you wanted to be a cricketer in the late ’90s. I played as an all-rounder for the state’s U-14 cricket team,” the comedian reveals. Two decades, writing films, and a corporate job later, the spark still shines bright on nights when he’s bingeing on match highlights, he assures us.
Norman Macdonald and Steven Wright
Dasgupta is a Kolkata boy through and through, but his new solo was born far from home, Down Under. “I was at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2024 when I was inspired by concept shows. Cry Daddy is a cohesive show about two childhoods — mine and my daughter’s. You cannot watch it in bits and pieces,” he reveals. The comedian returned to the festival’s 2025 edition earlier this year to debut the solo. “Being a universal subject, the show did well overseas. I also do a bit where the show opens to the audience for a fun game,” he gives us a sneak peek.
With more brickbats than bouquets in store for comedians in the country right now, we wonder if becoming a parent adds to a comedian’s self-censoring practices. “Even if my daughter hadn’t entered my life, I’d still be 50-50 about saying everything that I want on stage right now. You know how it is. As for what my toddler really changed for me, well, I’m happier now,” he beams. Good dad, that.
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Rapid fire with Anirban
What’s the most challenging part of being a new parent?
Consistently waking up early every day. I was a late-evening person for the longest time. Now I’m a morning person with no days off.
If you had the chance to peek into one comedian’s mind, who would it be?
Steven Wright or Norman Macdonald.
Who are your current favourites on the comedy circuit?
Shamik Chakrabarti is doing great. I have been following him before his popular Comicstaan stint in 2022. Tarang Hardikar is another comedian with an inimitable style of comedy.
Do you have any no-go topics you would never joke about?
None.
Since you’re a movie buff, what have you been watching these days?
I watched Black, White & Gray: Love Kills (2025) a few days ago. It’s a thriller that stays with you long after it ends. I’m still thinking about it.
A moment from Black White & Gray. PICS COURTESY/YOUTUBE
After writing stints, do you plan on making a silver screen debut like some of your fellow comedians?
Not really. I think I’m better suited for writing and being behind the lens.
Living in Mumbai or living in Kolkata?
Kolkata, any day. I’m trying to figure out how to make that work. Raising a child in Mumbai is tricky.
One word for the state of Mumbai right now?
Mumbai is a trap. It draws you in; you oblige, and end up overpaying for it the rest of your life.
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