Looking for a list of stand-up comedians in India?
Indian stand-up comedy has transformed in recent years, and these 25 stand up comedians in India are using humour to address almost every topic.
Stand-up comedy has become very popular in India. Few years back, not many people watched it. Now, it’s everywhere.
YouTube made it easy for comedians to share funny videos. People started watching and sharing them. That helped comedians get fans.
Then, shows on Netflix and Amazon made them more famous. Many comedians now have full comedy specials online.
Also, big cities now have live comedy shows. People go there to watch their favorite comedians and enjoy with friends.
As you know, YouTube, online shows, and live events helped Indian comedy grow fast.
In this article, I’m going to share the list of the 25 stand-up comedians in India you should know.
Top 25 Trendsetters of Stand-Up Comedy in India
1. Zakir Khan
Zakir Khan came to limelight by winning “India’s Best Stand Up Comedian” competition. He has featured in comedy specials like Chacha Vidhayak Hai Hamare, Haq Se Single and Kaksha Gyarvi on Amazon Prime. Zakir’s strong point as a comedian lies in his ability to tell stories that make the audience laugh. His content is aimed at the youth and focuses on the middle class.
He created the popular term “sakht launda” for his character, which has become very popular. Zakir’s comedy is rooted in Indian culture. Apart from doing stand-up comedy, Zakir is also a poet, writer and musician. He was also a judge of Comicistaan Season2. He recently appeared in his new standup comedy special Delulu Express.
2. Varun Grover
Varun Grover is one of those standup comedians who has set new standards in political satire. His comedy reflects the existing social and political trends, which makes his shows popular. Along with his jokes, Varun also highlights things that are fading from our lives such as ethical journalism and government accountability.
A graduate from IIT BHU, Varun’s strong Hindi skills have helped him to win fans all over India. Apart from stand-up comedy, he has written the scripts and lyrics of films like Masaan, Gangs of Wasseypur, Newton and Dunki.
3. Anubhav Singh Bassi
Anubhav Singh Bassi’s journey as a comedian started in 2017. He gained popularity with his comedy tour Bas Kar Bassi across 35 cities, making him one of best standup comedians in India. Anubhav is known for his anecdotal style of narration, using real-life stories in his acts.
His comedy focuses on his own journey, from lawyer to entrepreneur and now standup comedian, sharing the vital events of his life . Apart from standup comedy, Anubhav also runs a YouTube channel. He has also appeared in films such as Tu Jhoothi Mai Makkar.
4. Vir Das
Vir Das is one of the first Indian comedians to make a mark at the global level. His style is similar to American stand-up comedians but has an Indian touch, making it more relatable to the audience. He talks about almost anything, ranging from politics and relationships to cultural differences and everyday life. He doesn’t just crack jokes, he engages with his audience, creating a friendly atmosphere. This unique style, combined with his storytelling skills makes his shows a unique mix of humour and thoughtfulness.
Vir has also appeared in Hindi films like Delhi Belly and Love Aaj Kal. He was also nominated for an Emmy for his comedy special For India. His comedy special Abroad Understanding was the first comedy show by an Indian to be shown on Netflix.He recently completed his “Mind Fool” international tour.
5. Abhishek Upamanyu
Abhishek Upamanyu started his career as a standup comedian in 2015 with an open mic show. He first came into prominence in 2016 with ‘’Indian Insults & Comebacks’’ which became viral on YouTube. The video, which showed his observations on ordinary Indian life and the cultural complexities, helped him to win the hearts of viewers.
His deadpan expression, easily accessible content and comic ability has made Abhishek one of the most popular comedians in India. He has a good grasp over both Hindi and English, which has helped him to widen his audience base. Abhishek’s most famous shows include “Marriage & Indian English”, “Friends, Crime, & The Cosmos” and ‘’Delhi, Mumbai & Rich People.’’ He has also appeared in The Kapil Sharma show.
6. Aakash Gupta
Aakash appeared in his first stand-up video in 2017 which marked the beginning of his success as a standup comedian. His unique style of comedy and relatable content easily resonates with the audience. Some of his most famous videos include Clubbing & Cocktails, Train Journeys & Honeymoon Trips and Relationships and Delhi Metro.
His popularity reached new heights after he became the co-winner of Comicistaan’s season 2 with Samay Raina. Apart from doing standup comedy, Aakash has also participated in the comedy reality show LOL: Hasse Toh Phasse on Amazon Prime alongside other top Indian comedians like Sunil Grover and Mallika Dua. Aakash also featured in the web series Couple Goals S3 which premiered on Amazon Mini TV.
7. Samay Raina
Samay Raina first came to prominence during the pandemic with his chess based videos that gained popularity due to his hilarious live streams. His popularity skyrocketed after he became the co-winner of Youngistaan season2 with Aakash Gupta. Known for his dark humour, Samay hosts India’s Got Latent, a comedic YouTube version of the famous reality show India’s Got Latent.
In this unique talent show, participants from all across India take stage to show their skills. The major highlight of the show is the humorous grilling session by the judging panel, which includes Samay alongside some guest judges. Apart from standup comedy, Samay is India’s only streamer who has competed in some of the best international Twitch streams.
8. Rahul Subramaniam
Rahul Subramaniam a brand manager who made a name for himself in the world of comedy, Rahul has worked in almost every type of comedy- stand-up, sketch, crowd work and improv. He initially gained popularity as a comedian through his YouTube channel Random Chikibum. Rahul was the winner of the first season of ‘’YouTube Comedy Hunt’’. He has also acted in some sketches of AIB, most notably ‘Honest Placements’.
What is unique about Rabul Subramaniam’s comedy is his observation of urban life from the point of view of a middle-class man in his thirties. As one of the top Indian comedians, he has also performed in shows such as Kal Main Udega and Rahul Stands with People. He has also performed at the Kala Ghoda Festival and Pajama Festival.
9. Kanan Gill
A former IT professional, Kanan Gill made his presence felt in the world of standup comedy by winning competitions like Comedy Store and Punchline Bangalore. His first major special ‘’Keep It Real’’ was aired on Amazon Prime Video in 2017. Kanan gained more popularity with his famous Pretentious Move Reviews on YouTube which he cohosted with fellow comedian Biswa Kalyan Rath. The show reviewed popular Hindi films in a funny way.
Kanan has also performed in the sketch comedy How Insensitive! along with standup shows such as Feeling with Kanan and All Correct Opinions. He was one of the judges of reality show Comicistaan in 2018. Apart from stand-up comedy, Kanan also acted in the Hindi film ‘’Noor’’ in 2017 in which he played a supporting role with Sonakshi Sinha. He has also written comedy content.
10. Sunil Grover
A post-graduate in Theatre from Punjab University, Chandigarh, Sunil Grover honed his skills in mimicry and comic timing on TV and radio before becoming a household name with The Kapil Sharma Show. It was here that he truly shone as a stand-up comedian in characters like Rinku Bhabi, Gutthi, Dr. Mashoor Gulatoi and Bacchan Saab.
Sunil’s uniqueness as a stand-up comedian lies in his ability to make female impersonations and say distinct dialogues which have made his comedy shows viral in India. He has also acted in Hindi films such as Gajni, Baaghi, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Gabbar is Back, Bharat and Jawan. Sunil has also featured in web series such as Sunflower, Tandav and Dabba Cartel.
11. Saranga Sathaye
Sarang Sathaye is an actor and stand-up comedian who started Bharatiya Digital Party(BhaDiPa), a Marathi YouTube channel which produces almost every variety of content-skwetch comedy, social activism, talk show and explainer-style news videos. Since then, BhaDiPa has produced popular series such as Ai Ani Mi, Aai and Aaplya Bapachi & Casting Couch with Amey & Nipun.
As a comedian, Sarang uses his power of observation to comment on almost every walk of life-family life, politics and daily life. Apart from comedy, Sarang has also worked in many Marathi films like Y, Ekada Kaay Zhala and Triple Seat. He recently featured in the Hindi film Chhava.
12. Saikiran Rayaprolu
A known face in the Telugu comedy circuit, Saikiran has gained a sizable fan following because of his clean comedy. In contrast to other comedians, his shows don’t have punchlines. Rather they are based on observation and can be easily related to. He started his standup career in 2014 and launched his first solo show ‘Pure Veg Jokes’ in 2018.
Saikiran became a household bane with his YouTube video ‘Dark Skin and Getting Married’ in 2019 which became viral. His other well known comedy shows include ‘Hyderabadass Comedy Club.’ He also posts comedy monologue reels that have helped him to expand his audience base. His video, ‘The Wedding Menu’ card was a big hit on Instagram.
13. Praveen Kumar
One of India’s most popular standup comedians. Comedian Praveen Kumar is based in Bangalore and performs shows both in Tamil and English. Well known for his intense love for ‘Biryani’, Praveen’s shows stand out because of clean comedy which are enjoyed by people across all age groups. His Tamil special ‘Family Man’ was aired on Amazon Prime Video. Praveen was also a judge of the famous show Comicistaan which was shown on the same platform.
Praveen has performed more than 1400 shows across the globe. He narrates simple experiences and relatable stories from daily life in a jovial way, leaving his audience rolling with laughter. His latest special ‘Family Man Returns’ has gained great reviews on Facebook. At present, Praveen is touring with his new special ‘8’.
14. Bharti Singh
Bharti Singh is one of those few female comedians who have made a mark in a niche so far dominated by men. Originally from Amritsar, Bharti ventured into standup comedy in 2008 with ‘’The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’’, where she gained popularity with her character ‘’Lalli.’’ Bharti’s infectious energy and timing have helped her to create a fan following across the country.
Bharti has also proved her skills as a comedian in shows such as Comedy Circus Ke Superstars, Comedy Nights Live, Comedy Classes and Comedy Circus 3 Ka Tadka. She also hosted the TV show ‘’Sau Saal Cinema Ke’’. Apart from comedy, Bharti has also acted in films such as Khiladi 786, Sanam Re and Rocky aur Raani Kii Prem Kahaani.
15. Bishwa Kalyan Rath
A pass out from IIT kharagpur, Bishwa Kalyan Rath is known for his ability to intrigue audiences with his funny one-liners and jokes. Born in Bhubaneshwar, he first gained attention by co-hosting the movies review programme Pretentious Movie Reviews with Kanan Gill. He did his first solo comedy ‘’Biswa in Your Face’’ in 2015. He has also done shows like Improv All-Stars in 2018 and Sushi: A Comedy Show in 2019.
His comedy revolves around cultural taboos, everyday life and personal anecdotes, which he delivers with a unique blend of sarcasm and humour. Bishwa has also featured in an English film Brahman Naman apart from writing the show ‘Lakho Mein Ek’ on Amazon Prime for two seasons.
16. Tanmay Bhatt
Tanmay Bhatt started doing stand up comedy in 2009. However, the turning point in his career came with AIB, which he cofounded with fellow comedian Gursimran Khamba in 2012. What makes Tanmay stand out in the stand up comedy scene in India is his comical views on political and controversial subjects. His offbeat punch-lines helped him win the hearts of the audience. He has also performed in the Wierdass Comedy show and did the opening of the show Walking On Broken Das. Both of these shows were created by Vir Das.
Tanmay has also done shows like Comedy Premium League and Comicstaan. In fact, he was one of the judges of the first season of Comicistaan in 2018. Apart from doing standup comedy, Tanmay has also done screen and dialogue writing for reality shows like MTV India’s Wassup and NDTV Imagine’s Oye! It’s Friday! He has also appeared in small roles in Mr. X and Ragini MMS.
17. Kunal Kamra
One of India’s most well-known political satirists, Kunal Kamra’s performances revolve around the absurdities of daily life, jokes, economy and popular culture. He started his standup career in 2013 but gained popularity with his show ‘Shut Up Ya Kunal’ where he engaged in informal discussion with politicians and social activists with different views. The USP of this show was its open-ended chat format where the host and the guest expressed their own views.
What sets Kunal apart from other politicians is his frank, often controversial view on politics, society and freedom of speech. His willingness to speak on controversial issues with humour and insights has helped Kunal create a strong base. Some of his most popular shows include Patriotism & Government, Uncle Logic and Too Much Democracy.
18. Kenny Sebastian
Kenny Sebastian in one of those standup comedians whose clean humour, sharp wit and anecdotes captivates audience across all age groups. A graduate from an arts school, Kenny started his career in standup comedy in 2010, and his best works include the Amazon special, Don’t be That Guy, apart from the sci-fi comedy web series Starboyz on YouTube and Comedy Central’s The Living Room.
Apart from doing standup comedy, Kenny has also co-written and acted in ‘Sketchy Behavior’ which aired on Amazon Prime Video with Kanan Gill. Kenny has also created and hosted the podcast ‘Simple Ken’ which is a podcast meant for millennials. His last show was ‘’The Most Interesting Person in the Room’’ which is now available on Netflix.
19. Atul Khatri
An entrepreneur turned stand up comedian, Atul Khatri is known for his inborn ability to create relatable humour based on his sharp observations. Atul started his career in standup comedy in 2012 and has since then created a loyal base of fans among all age groups. His humorous anecdotes, derived from his experience of attending the ‘’wedding of the century’’ in 2024, thoughts on losing close friends in America and hilarious stories about his loved ones have helped Atul to evolve as a comedian.
The broad appeal of his comedy was one of the major reasons behind the success of Atul’s shows. He was one of the three finalists in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Atul has also performed with The Canvas Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store and the East India Comedy. He also featured in his own standup specials ‘’Well Trained’’ and ‘’Daddy Kool’’.
20. Aditi Mittal
Aditi Mittal was one of the first female performers to make a mark as a standup comedian in India. She started her career with open mics in 2010, and since then has won a loyal following with her bold style of storytelling while speaking on sensitive topics with humour and wit. Aditi’s comedy often deals with issues that are usually ignored, and her performances are a fine blend of social commentary, humour and wit, which prompts the audience to laugh and think at the same time.
Aditi has also appeared in two Netflix specials, ‘’Girl Meets Mic’’ and ‘’Things They Wouldn’t Let Me Say’’. Her name was also included in the ‘Pinnacle 30 witty’ on CNNIBN.com. She was a part of the roast panel of the AIB show as well.
21. Prashasti Singh
An alumni of IIM LUcknow, Prashasti came into prominence with her performance in shows like Ladies Up, Comedy Premium League and Comicistaan. Her strong point lies in her ability to interlink her stories and use of insightful anecdotes to tell stories that revolve around everyday situations and existing societal norms. Prashasti’s style of observational comedy is based on her own experiences of growing up in a rural set-up.
She also hosted a segment named ‘’Baath Cheat’’ in the show ‘’Kiski Sarkar.’’ Prashasti also demonstrated her storytelling skills at Spoken Fest 2019. She also appeared in a few episodes of the ‘The Brand New Show’ on Netflix.
22. Urooj Ashfaq
Based in Mumbai, Urooja Ashfaq got into stand-up comedy just after passing out of high school. Her unusual sense of humour and dialogue delivery has endeared her to the genz Z. Be it periods, tattoos, burqas and bigotry, Urooj excels at narrating almost every topic under the sun while making people laugh and think at the same time. She was the first comedian ever from India to win the Edinburgh Comedy award for her show Oh No!
Urooj was also a runner- up of the TLC’s Queens of Comedy. She also appeared in the popular AIB sketches and hosted Prime Video’s Comicistaan Season 2. Urooj recently participated in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
23. Gurleen Pannu
Gurleen Pannu started her career in comedy show ‘’Comedy Sketch Show’’ in 2021 where she captivated the attention of the audience with her sense of humour and witty storytelling. She gained more limelight by participating in Comicstaan Season 3 with her distinct style of comedy. Gurleen excels at blending humour with her personal experiences, sharing funny stories about family, relationships and problems of daily life.
She has a knack of finding humour even in the normal, insignificant events. Gurleen also boldly addresses gender-based stereotypes with humour, challenging existing norms while making the audience laugh and reflect. Apart from her own solo show , ‘Pannu Yaar’, she also runs her own YouTube channel.
24. Rahul Dua
Rahul Dua’s tryst with stand up comedy started with open mic events while he was working as an investment banker. His style of comedy is a combination of observational humour, strange situations, relatable stories and personal experiences that help the audience to connect with him. He was the runner of the first season of Amazon Prime’s Comicistaan, following which he started his own solo show Oh Hello.
Rahul has hosted shows such as Comicistaan and Shark Tank Season 2. He also performed in a comedy show with Nishant Suri named ‘’the Dua-Suri show’’ which was very popular. Rahul is a multitalented comedian and is known for his hilarious views on social situations, which have made him a known face in the stand up comedy scene.
25. Anirban Dasgupta
Anirban Dasgupta is a stand-up comedian and scriptwriter who left behind his career as a corporate salesman to venture into the world of comedy. He started his career in open mic events before he shifted to Mumbai. His first comedy special ‘’Take It Easy’’ with Amazon Prime Video gained widespread popularity.
His forte lies in the fact that Anirban develops his content while performing on stage. Therefore, his ideas keep evolving as he speaks. His jokes, puns and sketches are shaped by stories related to his personal life, like his inter-community marriage, corporate life, social media and current affairs. Anirban also co-wrote and co-created Amazon Prime Video’s Afsos with his close friend Dibya Chatterjee, which was the first black comedy thriller series in India.
Final Thoughts
Over the last few years, the stand-up comedy scene in India has undergone a transformation, with several new talents coming up with new ideas of storytelling. Be it one-liners or personal experience based storytelling, each of the above mentioned comedians has something unique to offer. From sharp satire to funny one-liners, these comedians are scaling new heights in the world of comedy. So, tickle your funny bone, it’s time you get hooked to their comedy shows.
