From Chris Moyle's Comedy Empire

BBC Three, June 2012

More Arnab Chanda videos

Chanda was nominated for best newcomer in the 2007 Chortle awards, soon after starting in comedy, but quit the following year saying he wanted to concentrate on acting.

Original Review:

In fact, he can be just a touch too smooth, with an approach that veers towards the characterless. The robust gags ensure his sets are enjoyable, and the professionalism sets him apart from many of his peers, but this glossy sheen may prevent that crucial leap from ‘nice set’ to ‘brilliant set’.

He’s got enough to talk about from his background alone, which is so mixed he’s a one-man diversity workshop. Born in Pontefract of Indian stock, he was raised in Saudi Arabia and, latterly, the US. Indeed, his highly-polished style is redolent of much of the American stand-up scene, where the gag is more important than revealing a distinctive attitude – an impression that is only reinforced by his transatlantic accent.

His writing is reliable, though he does overstretch the gags sometimes, especially in a trademark routine about the Hamas terrorist group that attempts to get a hell of a lot of mileage out of one simple pun.

Yet there are times when he bursts through with a brilliant, original line, seemingly out of nowhere: a dexterous turn of phrase condensing his ideas into a great, explosive joke. They’re not that frequently scattered through his set, but when they come they have great impact.

Whether the hype about his potential is overplayed may be a moot point, but those witty lines certainly indicate the lad’s got some talent.

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I saw him in Canterbury a month or so ago and he was just amazing. I came away thinking that I actually enjoyed his bit more than Simon Amstell. nHilarious and very very clever.

Clare, October 2007

This guy is hilarious. The kind of guy you wish you had as a best mate. Will be massive one day!

Jordi, October 2007

Saw him at the Amused Moose and he was great. The Jaffa cakes bit was classic!

Kiki, June 2007

This guy is funny. Nuff said.

Jarred Christmas, January 2007

Every time I see Arnab, he blows the crowd away. Stage presence, impeccable delivery, some very good jokes. He is the methadone that the glaze-eyed joke junkies crave.

Ed O'Meara, November 2006

Saw him try out some new stuff at the Meadow Bar on the late night slot. I think we all gave him a hard time but he was funny with it

RS, August 2006

Saw this guy at Mirth Control in West Hampstead tonight. He just blew us away and was the best comedian there by a long way. Each joke had a touch of genius about it.

Jacob, August 2006

It is always a treat to see Arnab turn up at a gig. Audiences warm to him immediately, because he is a very likeable, and very funny man. Seek him out, you won't regret it.

Dave Skinner, June 2006

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