With Dan Nainan there is no dull moment. Returning from Hyderabad, he says, “People told me to try ‘dumb’ biryani, but I don’t want to do such a dumb thing.” Dan’s gift of the gab and ability to deliver the punch lines with deadpan expression were in evidence at an event organised at Pullman New Delhi Aerocity by Accor Plus.
While attending classes to master the art of public speaking, Dan, known to Indians worldwide as well as Americans for his inimitable stand-up comedy, was advised that it was all right to make fun of himself. And this is what Dan, whose pedigree of Indian and Japanese parentage makes him at home with both the communities, has been doing with excellent results.
Dan’s self-deprecating style goes well with the audience . He does not even spare his father, a Malayali who made the United States his home decades ago, taking pot shots at him but not going overboard. He recounts in a hilarious way his experience of attending Gujarati, Punjabi and Malayali weddings. And confesses that he enjoys interacting with the new generation from the corporate world as he is a techie.
When it comes to Americans, Dan, who lives in the U.S., doesn’t pull back punches while ridiculing former American President George Bush with the way he articulates his thought process. In typical American accent, he goes on to mimic the charismatic Bill Clinton. His nasal accent works pretty well. In former President’s voice, he explains that he has been faithful to his wife (read Hillary). He hasn’t spared the present incumbent though he makes sure that he does not cross the line.
Introducing himself, he says, “My father, a nuclear physicist, met my Japanese mother at Indiana University. They got married and I was born within seven months. My father says I was born prematurely. I tell him that you are premature!”
Amidst peel of laughter from the audience, the 54-year old techie continues, “My father insists that I get married to a nice Malayali girl. And he insists that she must be a doctor. A doctor? Well he just wants a doctor to look after him!”
Speaking about the community from his parental side, Dan says, “Once I was told by a Malayali that I have to do my act at a wedding in the U.S. He asked how much I would charge. I told him 5,000 dollars. He got so offended that he told me it would be Rs.500 and that too in Pakistani currency!” But it is not that he targets any country or community. He has had great experiences doing his act in Pakistan.
After the session, Dan shares with us that he has been cautioned in various countries including West Asian nations to tread carefully while commenting on governance. “I have been told not to speak about the powers that be. Even in India I am guarded. Secondly, I steer clear of permissive jokes, which border on vulgarity.”
Revealing that he did not become a stand up artist by design, Dan says his job at Intel required him to speak fluently before a massive audience. “I developed stage fright; so I joined a public speaking course. But soon I realised that stand up comedy was my calling. But I continue to address techies knowing how they operate.”
Speaking about his political jokes, Dan says, “A lot of comedians make fun of Republicans. I don’t crack jokes on what George Bush did in Iraq or Afghanistan but only make fun of his dumb sounding things.”
About his fixation for America, Dan considers himself fortunate because everyone in the world is familiar with American culture and politics. “The challenge is to try to do jokes that everybody in the country will understand, and to stay away from topics that they may not know about, such as the American football. Also, it is very important not to offend people in a new territory by talking about religion, or sensitive political subjects. In Dubai, I have been decreed not to speak about the political masters.”
Explaining the reason for targeting Americans, Dan alleges, “Americans know nothing about the rest of the world. I bet the average American would have no clue about who the Prime Minister of India is something like 90 per cent of Americans cannot even name the president of Mexico or the Prime Minister of Canada – the two countries that share border with the U.S.”
In the U.S., Dan seeks to do multiple television shows. “My dream is to have a sitcom and I am trying to do a reality show. A clean comedy club with no dirty jokes.”
Cracking jokes on the minorities, particularly the Red Indian and Afro-Americans, is a strict no-no for him.
What Dan Nainan is in America, we have Kapil Sharma in India. Does he relate to his mix of Hindi-Punjabi jokes, one cannot resist asking. “I do not speak Hindi, so although I did a show with Kapil in Houston I was not really certain what he was saying. He did get an amazing reaction and I know he has become even more famous since the time I worked with him.”
Dan would like to brush up his Hindi. “I love the music in Bollywood movies. Also, I do not speak Malayalam, again, wanting to learn, but I love Yesudas songs.”
When Dan writes a joke he needs to have authentic information. So he does research on print and electronic media. “I keep track of current events. I feel I am knowledgeable I read New York Times in my library and watch the news on CNN. I look at both sides –left and right. My friends keep sending me stories about India. I rely on original information and then twist them to make them funny.”
