British Comedy Guide
Sandip Mahal
Sandip Mahal

Sandip Mahal

  • English
  • Actor, director, producer, writer, editor, executive producer and podcaster
Comedy Casebook

Hi Sandip. Who are you and what do you do in comedy?

I am a comedy writer and video editor who creates sketches with my comedy partner, Kit Johnstone, under the Fuzzy Dice Comedy label. We have a fair number of low budget sketches on our YouTube channel and are currently developing more ambitious longer form works, funding permitting.

Tell us about how you first became involved in the comedy world.

I first got into editing at a small post house in West London and using their equipment i cut a fair number of award winning shorts and comedies. During this time i started writing my own material and then used my skills to film and edit them. Through all these filmmaking endeavours i have met a wide range of comedians with an even wider range of skillsets but always looking for new opportuinities.

Tell us about your comedy favourites.

The main influences are Alexei Sayle's Stuff, anything by Chris Morris and Armando Iannucci, Big Train and a side order of Charlie Brooker. Mainly surreal and boundary pushing comedies are my bag. The more surreal the better. I am constantly watching new and obscure comedies to keep updated on the current mood.

Also i feel my soulmate is the fellow Indian Spike Milligan.

The comedy industry is competitive. Why should people pick you to work with?

The core skills we can bring to the table are filming and editing which can be utilised for all Fuzzy Dice Projects. Also we read a lot of scripts and always happy to feedback ideas. Everything is transactional and these are the big ticket items we can put on the table. Our consistent track record speaks for itself.

If you could change one thing about the UK comedy industry, what would it be?

I hate to say it but i keep bangin on about there needs to be top to bottom diversity. It's better than it used to be but it has a long way to go.

Where would you like to be in 10 years' time?

I currently have a healthy body of work which i like to keep on developing but ideally i do want a show finally commissioned by either a broadcaster or a streamer. Who doesn't?

If you ever get free time, how do you spend it?

All of my free time is spent watching some of the weirdest cult movies ever made. Real strange stuff that would live in the bargain bin. It's what makes me happy.

If you ever get free time, how do you spend it?

Would it be shallow to say success? Am i a bad person to say that?

Published: Tuesday 14th March 2023

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