Jokes, laughs & skits: Kolkata cracks up at a comedy night

It was an evening of roaring laughter and unfiltered fun as Kolkata hosted its inaugural Comedy Night Live on May 7 at a city auditorium. The stage buzzed with energy as host Vibhor Chaudhary steered a vibrant line-up — ranging from spot-on mimicry and quick-fire skits to a no-holds-barred celebrity roast. Comedy veterans Ali Asgar and Dr Sanket Bhosale brought the laughs, joined by the dynamic duo Bakhtiyar and Tannaz Irani, and the ever-animated Chinki Minki. The night hit a high note with a bold roast of actor-politician Nussrat Jahan, who not only took the jabs in stride but threw in a few zingers of her own.The Irani diariesThe comedy skit by Bakhtiyar & Tannaz Irani was more than just jokes — it was a walk through their journey together. “Our skit tonight is our story,” said Bakhtiyar. “It all began in 2005. What you see here is us — no filters.” The couple’s performance traced key moments from their personal and professional life, peppered with sharp humour, inside jokes, and Bollywood-style spoofs. Tannaz, moved by the warm reception, added, “This was our first show here and we may never forget you guys.”Even Kolkata couldn’t tell Chinki from MinkiThe twin entertainers brought their trademark chaos and comic timing to the stage, instantly connecting with the crowd. At one point, the confusion was real—even Kolkata couldn’t figure out who was Chinki and who was Minki. But the duo leaned into it, teasing the audience while delivering punchlines in rapid fire.Mimicry masterclass“Bangla khub mishti,” said Dr Sanket Bhosale, before launching into a medley of spot-on Bollywood impressions. From Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pankaj Tripathi to Udit Narayan and Salman Khan, each voice came alive on stage, earning rounds of applause and laughs from the crowd.Ali Asgar’s special connect with the crowdAli Asgar barely stayed on stage — he spent most of his time engaging with the audience, dancing, joking, and singing along to Laila Main Laila that played in the background. He kept things breezy, but ended on a heartfelt note with a tribute to the Indian Army. “I have full faith in our line of defence,” he said, ending his set with a rousing “Bharat Mata Ki Jai!”Nussrat Jahan gets roasted (and roasts right back)The final segment saw Nussrat Jahan as the centre of a playful roast. Taking every jab with good humour, she fired back with her own quips. “For the first time, I’ve been brought to a show with so much love… just to be roasted,” she joked.