Anirban Dasgupta's Take It Easy Is As Happily Breezy A Special As Its Name
Whether or not you understand comedy, Anirban’s serving laughs with lessons. You don’t see Anirban do anything physically labouring, it’s just him in his one bright spot. This is the shining example of his amazing joke-writing that it doesn’t rely on antics, only punchlines. It’s his perfectly placed pauses that bring the crowd to his side.
He’s sitting on the green room couch looking bothered by something. He snaps his fingers once and the setting changes to black and white, reminding me of Bill Burr’s “I’m Sorry You Feel That Way”. And that monochromatic colour scheme sets the tone and expectation for exactly what Anirban Dasgupta’s “Take It Easy” achieves - simple, undistracted hilarity.
Anirban starts his story from the place it all started - Kolkata. He spends time taking us through the city, so well that it’s the perfect crash course in Kolkata. He takes us through its people, its culture, its comedy scene and its relationship with someone who will always be hot topic - Netaji.
Whether or not you understand comedy, Anirban’s serving laughs with lessons. You don’t see Anirban do anything physically labouring, it’s just him in his one bright spot. This is the shining example of his amazing joke-writing that it doesn’t rely on antics, only punchlines. It’s his perfectly placed pauses that bring the crowd to his side.
While making fun of Kolkata and sharing the funniest moments he’s lived with his family, Anirban trudges the dark waters of online bullying faced by artists, referencing to his own controversy over his previous YouTube videos, with an ease and with the support of jokes like only he could.
In conclusion, Anirban Dasgupta’s special is like a well-placed stack of dominos; each bit is connected and supports the other and it all plays together well in the end. Easily one of the best specials to have come out this year, it’s a rare one that makes you feel like you’re right there with him. And it is a happy place.
Anirban Dasgupta’s Take It Easy is now streaming on Amazon Prime. Watch it here.
