Stand-up comedy at Bootleggers tonight

For me, true-blue Mumbaikar that I am, ‘Iranian’ has been associated more with brun-maska and bentwood chairs than anything Middle Eastern. But since I’ve vowed to broaden my horizons this year, I decided that I must check out UK-based stand-up comedian Peyvand Khorsandi’s brand of humour, which celebrates Iran and his people even as he makes fond quips about their eccentricities.

He gets away with it. Because he’s young, he’s good-looking, he’s Iranian, and — before this starts sounding like a personal ad — he’s really hilarious. I loved his recurring ‘How to be Iranian’ theme that’s peppered with a few asides about stuff he’s learnt from Mumbai cabbies. ‘How to be Iranian’ is actually a show that he started with his sister (now a rising star on the UK comedy circuit) in 1999 in Los Angeles. Ten years and many countries later, he’s still able to keep the crowd in splits.

I think he has a lot of spunky charisma which draws you in and makes you a part of his world, letting you into the secrets so you can enjoy all the insider chuckles. In a city that’s starved for good stand-up comedy, Pevyand’s one-man-show is like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Bon appetit, or, as they say in Iran, “Noosh-e jan!”

Peyvand Khorsandi performs 10pm onwards tonight at Bootleggers, Pipewala Building, 4th Pasta Lane, Colaba; Tel: 22020455; Entry free, cocktails start from Rs 200 and starters are Rs 100 and up.