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Time of India

Dark comedy to star roasts: What's got Kolkata going LOL

Kolkata's stand-up comedy scene is experiencing significant growth, marked by larger audiences and a growing appetite for bolder humor, including roasts. The city's unique cultural identity shapes its comedic preferences, with audiences appreciating intelligent and witty jokes that often incorporate elements of history and art. This evolution reflects a broader acceptance of diverse comedic styles and edgier content within Kolkata. Kolkata's stand-up comedy scene is witnessing a boom with packed houses, bolder jokes, and a growing taste for 'roasts'. From sparsely attended shows to a buzzing calendar of ticketed events, audiences are embracing diverse styles of humour like never before. CT spoke to stand-up comics, and celebritiess who attended roast shows to explore the surge in popularity and how the city's cultural flavour shapes its comedy. 'Kolkata has always been okay with laughing at itself' Kolkata's stand-up scene is booming, driven by a receptive audience. 'Kolkata has always been okay laughing at itself,' says Sahil Agarwal, a stand-up comic and a member of a city comedy club, noting the city's interest in dark & roasting. Sayan Podder, a member of another club adds that social media reels have amplified this popularity, reflecting the city's appetite for edgier comedy styles. Edgier jokes and bigger crowds Kolkata's comedy scene has transformed dramatically, growing from a single 30-seater show that struggled to draw crowds to a bustling circuit hosting 4–5 shows a month and weekly ticketed open mics. 'Few years ago, there used to be just one show,' recalls Sarnajit Bala, a stand-up comic. Now, audiences are not only turning up in greater numbers but also embracing a wider range of styles. Sayan adds, 'Compared to five years ago, people have become a bit more open to roasting,' showing a growing willingness among audiences to embrace edgier humour. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo 'This city loves intelligent jokes' Most performers are of the opinion that Kolkata's roast style reflects its intellectual heritage. 'What aloo is to Kolkata-style biryani, intelligence and wit are to Kolkata-style roast,' says Shiladitya Chatterjee, a stand-up comic, who recently roasted actor Ankush Hazra at a show. He also emphasised that the Kolkata audience loves to be pampered in an intelligent manner, and adds, 'We have to come up with jokes that have a touch of history & art, and resonates with the city's well-read crowd. ' Jokes that crack up Kolkata Political jokes Jokes on Bangla cinema Dark comedy Roasts Being roasted at a comedy show means laughing at yourself publicly. It turns you into the punchline while making you feel like the life of the party – Nussrat Jahan, actress The demographics of the audience depends on the age of the stand-up comic, as it helps them resonate with them. People aged 22 to 45 regularly attend our comedy shows – Shiladitya Chatterjee Whether it's dark humour or roasts, the city audience is now more open to concepts than before, but there's still room to grow – Sahil Agarwal