He has inherited his funny bone from the Indian side of his family. “No doubt about that,” says Dan Nainan,an Indian-Japanese stand-up comedian based in the US. This evening,Nainan will kick off the ‘Q For Comedy Evening’ series at Ista hotel,Nagar Road.
The city has been bombarded with comedy nights over the last one month. We’ve heard sex jokes and sexist jokes,but Nainan promises something different. “It will be full of clean and intelligent jokes. If someone is expecting sexual jokes or profanity,he will be disappointed,” he says.
Nainan has performed for a wide range of audiences. His best show till date,however,is the one he performed for 6,000 doctors in South Asia. “Usually,people think that doctors don’t laugh a lot,but this was different. They were laughing out aloud – one of the best audiences Ive had. Laughter unites people. It doesn’t matter if one is performing for the president or for a layman,” he adds.
Ask him about his favourite comedians,and he names Jerry Seinfield. “I’m like him – 100 per cent clean,” he says,adding,”And of course,who does not like Russell?” Well,many Bollywood fans actually may not like Russell after he recently stirred up a major controversy owing to his digs at Bollywood. “Something that captures a billion people has some value; 1.2 billion people can’t be 100 per cent wrong. Russell could have said ‘I don’t like Bollywood and don’t find value in it’,and left it there,” Nainan feels.
Nainan didn’t grow up with Bollywood. “I’m just starting to like songs such as Subhan Allah ,Munni Badnam Hui and Main Hoon Dan…Lol,I meant Don,” he says with a laugh . He may not know Salman Khan by name but is all praise for his moves in Munni Badnaam Hui. “The guitar moves are amazing. I would love to do Bollywood films if I get some interesting opportunities,” he quips.