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The Iowa Idea: Anuvab Pal
In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by Anuvab Pal. The New York Times calls Anuvab India’s Most Intelligent Comedian. The Times of India calls him one of India’s top 10 comedians. His work has been featured on The BBC, Time Magazine, CNN, and other global media. He’s the screenwriter of three well known Bollywood films, including the “Loins of Punjab Present” and the author of 4 bestselling novels, including the nonfiction book on the Bollywood movie, The Disco Dancer. His standup performance of “Empire,” is part of the permanent collection at Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Anuvab and Kunaal Roy Kapur host one Spotify’s most popular podcasts – “Our Last Week,” where the hosts answer emails about conundrums.
We dig in into Anuvab’s journey into comedy and writing, including his introduction of American cultural icons waiting for Anuvab when he attended college in Ohio, and the influence of the mocumentary genre. We discuss the greatness that is the ‘80s Bollywood cult classic “Disco Dancer” and the struggles of those confronting Guitarphobia. If you haven’t had the chance, please check out the movie Disco Dancer, it is the funniest movie I’ve seen in a long time. Be warned, the director believes it is a serious film.
Before I had hit record, Anuvab and I were discussing his connection to Iowa. While he lived in the States, he was invited to Diwali celebration in Clive, IA.
It was an honor having Anuvab join me on the show and coordinating a 12.5 hour time zone difference to make this episode happen. I thank him for sharing his time, insights, and for introducing me to Disco Dancer. I also need to thank Dave Hill and the The Dave Hill Goodtime Hour team for introducing me to Disco Dancer and Anuvab. I hope you enjoy the episode.
About Anuvab
The New York Times calls Anuvab Pal India’s Most Intelligent Comedian. The Times Of India calls him one of India’s top 10 comedians. His stand-up comedy special “The Nation Wants To Know,” has had over 500 shows starting in Mumbai and playing from Sydney to San Francisco to Singapore to sold out houses across 30 cities. His show is the only Indian stand-up comedy show after Russel Peters’ to sell out The Comedy Store in London and Gotham Comedy Club in New York in record time. In 2017, he was one of 10 Indian comedians picked by Amazon Prime Video to have his comedy special “Alive At 40” broadcast to 30 countries worldwide. His work has been featured on The BBC, Time Magazine, CNN, NDTV, and other global media. He’s the screenwriter of 3 well known Bollywood films and the author of 4 bestselling novels, including a nonfiction book on the Bollywood movie, The Disco Dancer.
His standup performance of “Empire,” is part of the permanent collection at Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Anuvab’s Podcast – https://open.spotify.com/episode/424wQ08vaztlEgSjiu3s7T?si=TQBQffO4QjGCWQehJHnNbw
Anubab’s Site – https://anuvabpal.com/
Disco Dancer – https://amz.run/4Glq
The Dave Hill Goodtime Hour – https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/dave-hill-goodtime-hour/
Credits
Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).
The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).