Anirban Dasgupta: Cry Daddy

Anirban Dasgupta returns to Dubai with his third stand-up special, fresh from its debut last year at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and a successful run at the Soho Theatre in London.

Kolkata born and Mumbai based, Anirban Dasgupta comes across as mild-mannered and playful. But this cleverly structured show is sharper and more carefully honed than this might imply … His childhood dream was to become a sportsman. Now a new father navigating the chaotic second half of his life, he’s wondering whether everything – from comedy to parenting – is actually just a game. Who’s winning? Who’s losing? And does anyone really know the score?

The show unfolds as an immersive stand-up match played with the audience, where each joke is scored and the contest continues until the final punchline. With yellow cards, half-time pep talks, trash talking, and shirt swapping, the audience becomes part of the action, left debating scores and outcomes as the show goes down to the wire …

The evening will be hosted and opened by Arpit Varshne, who quit a perfectly good job as a Dubai radio jockey to move to India ain the pursuit of stand-up comedy greatness. Sharp, self-aware, and just the right amount of unhinged, Arpit sets the tone before Anirban takes the mic …