Writing comedy is not easy, says stand-up comedian Amit Tandon

Mona

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Hi, I am Amit Tandon, produced by my mother, directed by my wife…Is one joke that works every time, everywhere for him. The mechanical engineer from IIT Delhi enjoyed the corporate stint while it lasted and is currently loving the jet-setting pace as he undertakes a world tour. Just after finishing the Australia leg, he is performing in India before resuming the tour to Dubai, Canada and the US. Masala Sandwich – his India tour takes him across the length and breadth of the country. Known for his clean acts, Tandon is popular with different generations. How does he connect with different age-groups? “I just try to tell my story, somehow people relate to my stories. Coming from an Indian middle-class family, some are my observations. Some listen to it as their story, kids probably listen to it as their father’s story.”

Child’s play

While his observations make it to his acts, lots of stuff comes from his interactions with his children. “I spend a lot time with my kids, it reflects somewhere. Secondly, we might not realise it but relationships remain the same across generations, and across the world. There are same issues between a father and son, and a mother and son everywhere.”

This weekend brings him to the region and Tandon is kicked about his first show in the city of his birth – Patiala. He will perform in Ludhiana on Saturday and Chandigarh on Sunday. So, does he adapt according to where he’s performing? “Region-specific is a very small part. Actually, writing comedy is not easy. It takes about five or six months to write and tighten any show.”

Tandon’s world tour started with a bang; he had some sold out shows in Australia. “It’s been fun so far. I am looking forward to Dubai, Canada, the US and if visa works Europe as well. People are hungry for live shows, these are good times,” he says.

Good going

Tandon’s comedy show Good Night India completed 126 episodes; he adds, “It was quite unbelievable. We were signed up for 102 episodes. But I was told comedy is not working on television except Kapil Sharma’s show. Then we did well and the production house gave us 24 more shows. We have just finished season one. That we could bring stand-up comedy that’s clean with over 100 performers is a feat in itself. The production house gave me creative liberty and people gave us lots of love.” Also, he’s taking up writing for shows and films. “I want to now divide time between stand-up comedy and other writing projects.”

Any rules that he has set for comic acts? “Rule one is that language has to be clean. A lot of my content is pure observation. Lately, I am trying to choose what I want to say. So the new material is way more honest. Masala Sandwich has a lot of opinions, honest stories that go beyond mere observation.”

City connect

Born in Patiala, Amit Tandon has spent quite some time in Chandigarh. Sector 17 and Sukhna Lake remain his favourite places to visit. “Chandigarh is beautiful and trips up the Shimla hills I will always remember. I would probably come there when I retire, take one of the big houses with bigger lawns and call Chandigarh home.”