Urooj & Anirban: Funny, Foreign & Political in Australia

What makes a joke travel? Urooj Ashfaq and Anirban Dasgupta, two of India’s most distinctive comedy voices, are touring Australia and figuring that out in real time. From navigating diaspora nerves to resisting the pressure to “perform Indian-ness,” they talk about what lands, what doesn’t, and how the rules of the stage shift depending on where you are—and where you’re from. In the lead-up to their Sydney Comedy Festival show, they join Dilpreet Kaur Taggar on SBS Spice to unpack silence, self-censorship, and the strange freedom that comes with being funny far from home.

If conceptually your audience understands the premise of comedy, if they understand that a comedian is not meant to be taken seriously beyond a point, if they understand what art is, then the by-product of that is that you feel free.

Urooj Ashfaq, Comedian

I used to be that comedian who always wants complete control, and if somebody heckled me, I would really get angry. But as of late, I'm just trying to give up some control and enjoying stand-up like never before.

Anirban Dasgupta, Comedian

SBS Spice is your go-to for South Asian Australian culture, exploring what makes us tick—or ick. Catch us on your favourite podcast platforms: 

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for latest updates and new chillies in the pod. Tap the audio player to listen to the full episode.