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Best 10 Indian Standup Comedians: Must-Watch Comedy Stars

Comedians

Indian Standup Comedians
03 Jan, 2025

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Standup comedy, in particular, has become a powerful medium for relatable humor and meaningful conversations.

In India, standup comedy has flourished, with talented comedians using wit and cultural nuances to entertain and inspire. These performers not only make the audience laugh but also challenge stereotypes and spark important discussions.

This comprehensive guide highlights the 10 Indian standup comedians known for their unique styles and sharp humor, reminding us of the power of laughter in everyday life.

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List of Top Indian Standup Comedians

1: Zakir Khan

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Date of Birth: August 20, 1987, Indore, India

Best works:

  • Haq Se Single
  • Kaksha Gyarvi
  • Tathastu
  • Manpasand

Accolades:

  • Winner of Comedy Central’s ‘India’s Best Stand Up’
  • Mentor on ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’

Zakir Khan made his mark in the standup comedy scene in 2012 after winning Comedy Central’s India’s Best Standup competition, which catapulted him into the spotlight.

Making place among the top Indian standup comedians, Zakir is known for his relatable observational humor. He captures the essence of everyday Indian life with wit and authenticity. His comedic style is enriched by culturally rooted references and his signature punchline, “Sakht Launda,” a phrase describing men with unwavering self-control.

His big breakthrough came in 2016 with his performance on AIB Diwas, which cemented his status as one of India’s leading comedians. Beyond standup, Zakir is a multi-talented artist. He has written and produced radio shows, ventured into poetry, and showcased his versatility across different creative mediums.

2: Biswa Kalyan Rath

Biswa Kalyan Rath
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Date of Birth: December 27, 1989, Rourkela, Odisha, India

Best Works:

  • Pretentious Movie Reviews (YouTube comedy series)
  • Biswa Mast Aadmi
  • Laakhon Mein Ek

Biswa Kalyan Rath transitioned into comedy after studying biotechnology at IIT Kharagpur and working at Oracle. His comedy journey began in 2013 when he met Kanan Gill at an open mic in Bengaluru. Together, they launched Pretentious Movie Reviews, a YouTube series that quickly gained popularity for its sharp, humorous critiques of Bollywood films.

Biswa’s comedy is known for its clever wordplay, logical humor, and insightful observations of everyday life, often drawing from his educational background to add depth to his jokes.

He gained widespread recognition with Biswa Mast Aadmi, a nationwide comedy tour, and later expanded his reach with Laakhon Mein Ek, a series on Amazon Prime. His ability to blend humor with intellect and personal experience has made him a standout figure among the top Indian standup comedians.

3: Abhishek Upmanyu

Abhishek Upmanyu
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Date of Birth: May 19, 1990, New Delhi, India

Best Works:

  • Thoda Saaf Bol (YouTube)
  • Jealous of Sabziwala (YouTube)

Accolades:

  • Indian Comedy Awards

Abhishek Upmanyu is a renowned Indian standup comedian famed for his wit, relatable humor, and storytelling abilities. Before starting as a comedian, Upmanyu worked as a chemical engineer and research analyst in 2013.

In 2015, Upmanyu gradually improved his craft by doing open mic nights. In 2016, his Indian Insults & Comebacks YouTube video went viral, which made him a known figure in the comedy world.

He has performed live comedy shows throughout India and given numerous comedic performances internationally, including in Canada and the United States. So, with his razor-sharp punchlines, Upmanyu has become a household name in the Indian satire scene and one of the top Indian standup comedians.

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4: Anubhav Singh Bassi

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Date of Birth: January 9, 1991, Meerut, India

Best Works:

  • Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar
  • Bas Kar Bassi

Anubhav Singh Bassi began his comedy career in 2017 after participating in an open mic, despite initially pursuing a law degree and preparing for the UPSC exams. His comedy is deeply rooted in relatable, real-life experiences, often focusing on the challenges he faced during his educational and entrepreneurial journey.

His breakthrough came with YouTube videos that quickly went viral, earning him millions of views and a massive following. Bassi’s comedy special, Bas Kar Bassi, released on Amazon Prime Video, showcased his talent and solidified his position in the Indian comedy scene.

His casual, engaging style, full of observational humor drawn from his own experiences, makes his performances widely relatable and highly engaging.

5: Aakash Gupta

Aakash Gupta
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Date of Birth: January 5, 1993, Delhi, India

Best Works:

  • Co-winner of the second season of Comicstaan
  • Standup comedy performances across India

Accolades:

  • Winner of Comicstaan Season 2

Aakash Gupta embarked on his comedy journey after leaving his job as an audit associate at KPMG, where he had worked for a year. His passion for performing arts began in college, where he actively participated in theatre and improv. To further refine his skills, Aakash joined the comedy improv group Clueless Improv in Delhi. His breakthrough came through open mic performances, and in 2017, he released his first standup video on YouTube.

Known for his observational humor, Aakash blends everyday situations with sharp wit, often exploring topics like relationships, Bollywood, and the quirks of daily life. His high energy and impeccable comedic timing make his performances highly engaging. His success reached new heights when he won Comicstaan Season 2, a significant milestone in his career.

6: Hasan Minhaj

Hasan Minhaj
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Date of Birth: September 23, 1985, Davis, California, U.S.

Best Works:

  • Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj
  • Homecoming King

Accolades:

  • Emmy Award
  • Peabody Award
  • Webby Awards

Hasan Minhaj, one of the best Indian standup comedians, initially performed as a standup comedian before gaining recognition as a senior correspondent on The Daily Show from 2014 to 2018. His breakthrough came with his Netflix special Homecoming King, which earned him critical acclaim and a Peabody Award.

Minhaj’s comedy is known for its blend of satire, observational humor, and dark comedy, often addressing political issues, social justice, and his experience as an Indian-American.

His storytelling skills, combined with a unique perspective on both American and Indian cultures, helped him carve out a distinct voice in comedy. This led to his own Netflix series, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, which won multiple awards and showcased his ability to blend humor with sharp, insightful commentary on contemporary issues.

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7: Vir Das

Vir Das
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Date of Birth: May 31, 1979, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Best Works:

  • Abroad Understanding
  • Losing It
  • Mauritian Chutney

Accolades:

  • International Emmy Award
  • Colton Performance Award

Vir Das began his comedy journey while studying at Knox College in Illinois, where he explored standup with his first special, Brown Men Can’t Hump.

His passion for comedy grew after winning the Colton Performance Award for acting and being accepted into the prestigious Stanislavsky Program at the Moscow Arts Theatre. Upon returning to India in 2003, Das quickly established himself with over 100 comedy shows across major cities.

Das’ breakthrough came with his Netflix special, Abroad Understanding, making him the first Indian comedian to create a special for the platform. His unique blend of intellectual humor and personal anecdotes resonated with audiences worldwide, solidifying his place as a standout figure in Indian standup comedy. Known for his skill in balancing satire with storytelling, Das has become a versatile and influential comedian.

8: Prashasti Singh

Prashasti Singh
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Date of Birth and place: June 28, 1987, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Best works:

  • Amazon Prime Video’s Comicstaan
  • Host of Baath Cheat on Kiski Sarkar

Prashasti Singh is known for her sharp wit and observational humor. She gained recognition as one of the top three comics on Comicstaan, where her relatable style won over many fans.

With a background in business and a degree from IIM Lucknow, Prashasti left a stable corporate job to pursue comedy, which showcased her commitment to the craft.

Her comedy blends clever insights with everyday humor, often focusing on the quirks of modern life. Prashasti uses her platform to deliver lighthearted critiques of societal norms, presenting them in an accessible and humorous way.

9: Amit Tandon

Amit Tandon
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Date of Birth: December 14, 1975, Patiala, Punjab, India

Best Works:

  • Family Tandoncies (Netflix Special)

Amit Tandon, also known as ‘The Married Guy’ in the stand-up comedy circuit, has carved a leading figure in the comedy world. With his relatable, clean comedy that resonates with families and audiences, Tandon became one of the best-known observational comedians in India.

Tandon began his career as a side gig, but his passion for comedy quickly grew, leading him to become a full-time comedian. He founded Grandmasters of Comedy, a company that aims to bring comedy to the corporate world to engage a large audience.

Tandon has performed over 1200 comedy shows in major cities in India and has also done 50 international shows across 12, including the United States, United Kingdom, London, Melbourne, Thailand, and Singapore.

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10: Sumukhi Suresh

Sumukhi Suresh
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Date of Birth: October 18, 1987, Nagpur, India

Best Works:

  • Don’t Tell Amma
  • Pushpavalli
  • Humble Politician Nograj

Accolades:

  • Filmfare OTT Awards
  • iWmBuzz awards

Sumukhi Suresh began her comedy journey in Bengaluru in 2013 while working at a food laboratory. Her passion for comedy grew after joining The Improv, an improvisational comedy group where she performed in cities like Bengaluru, Dubai, and Sweden. Her breakthrough came with her YouTube series Behti Naak, which she created and starred in.

Being one of the top Indian standup comedians and known for her sharp observational humor and character-driven sketches, Sumukhi combines impeccable timing and wit in her performances.

FAQs

Who are the most famous Indian standup comedians?

Some of the most famous Indian standup comedians include:

  • Zakir Khan
  • Biswa Kalyan Rath
  • Abhishek Upmanyu
  • Anubhav Singh Bassi
  • Aakash Gupta
  • Hasan Minhaj
  • Vir Das
  • Prashasti Singh
  • Amit Tandon
  • Sumukhi Suresh

Which Indian standup comedians have won awards?

Notable award-winning Indian comedians include Zakir Khan (Comedy Central’s ‘India’s Best Stand Up’), Hasan Minhaj (Emmy Award), and Vir Das (International Emmy Award), among others.

Do Indian comedians get international recognition?

Yes, Indian comedians like Vir Das and Hasan Minhaj have gained international recognition through their global comedy specials and performances, notably on platforms like Netflix.

Which comedian won Comicstaan in its first season?

The winner of Comicstaan’s first season was Nishant Suri, who became widely recognized for his unique style and comedic timing.

Who is the most famous Indian standup comedian of all time?

Zakir Khan is often considered one of the most famous Indian standup comedians of all time due to his massive fanbase, viral specials, and iconic punchlines.