Cheer Up, Folks: 10 Stand Up Comics To Get You Laughing

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Let's face it, the way things are currently, we could all use a really healthy dose of laughter. We've put together a list of 10 established and up-and-coming stand-up comedians and artists that we love and think would absolutely help you chase away those pesky blues! So if you're ready for a laugh riot, here goes!

Abhishek Upmanyu

With 2.53 million (yes, million) followers on YouTube and another 424K on IG, it’s safe to say that stand-up comedian and writer Abhishek Upmanyu has made A LOT of people laugh. Originally from Delhi, he can be seen on stage (both IRL and virtual) performing to sold-out crowds. Fans and newbies, we recommend checking out his YT channel as well as shows like ‘Thoda Saf Bol’ and ‘Jealous of Sabjiwala’. If you find humour in the everyday, you might like his brand of stand up.

Aditi Mittal

After the sucess of her Netflix debut "Things They Wouldn't Let Me Say" and "Comedians of the World" Aditi Mittal has made waves on the Indian stand-up comedy scene. Tune in to enjoy her bold, fresh and unabashedly frank approach to comedy (and life) that has us in splits! If you’re looking for a quick intro, her YouTube page is a good place to start, as is her Netflix Special. She’s now onto her fourth special ‘Mother of Invention’ and it’s bound to be as funny as ever!

Vir Das

With sold out shows across the globe, plus a series of specials streamed across sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime, Vir Das has a versatile repertoire. From the mundane to the political, his shows often explore the essence of what it means to be Indian, both in and outside of India. We recommend checking out ‘For India’, ‘Losing It’ and ‘Jestination Unknown’

Urooj Ashfaq

‘Queens of Comedy’ star Urooj Ashfaq has earned more than a few laughs over the last 4 years since her debut on the show. A Mumbai-based writer and comedian, this 24-year old's version of stand-up is hugely relatable and often hits on relevant social topics in everything from religion to dating and current issues. Catch her on YouTube or in AIB videos and 'Comicstaan' as a judge.


Kunal Kamra

A relatively recent entry on the comedy scene, Kunal Kamra’s brand of humour is strongly political. You can catch his no-holds-barred political humour at live venues, plus listen in on his political podcast ‘Shut Up Ya Kunal’ on YouTube and online. His piece ‘Patriotism & the Government’ went viral on YT with over 13 million views in the last 3 years and is a good place to start!

Sonali Thakker

While training to be a Chartered Accountant, Sonali Thakker found a passion - not to mention talent - for stand-up comedy. Originally hitting the comedy circuit on open mics, she’s done live gig after live gig to make it to her very own comedy special called ‘Almost There’. With her shows, it’s all about having a ‘blank slate’ when performing, an organic style that draws from super relatable daily experiences from everyday life.


Kenny Sebastian

Kenny Sebastian, like many comedians, got his break on YouTube. Since then, he’s done world tours as well as Amazon Prime specials alongside fellow comedians like Kanan Gill, Abish Mathew, and Kaneez Surka. He’s pretty active on the live circuit, so you’ll most likely catch one of his shows in your city while on tour. If you like your humour with a dose of relatability, Kenny may just be your guy. Watch his shows like 'Comicstaan', 'The Improvisers', 'Die Trying' and 'Sketchy Behaviour'.


Sejal Bhat

If you’re a fan of ‘Comicstaan’ you may have spotted Sejal Bhat in the line-up of comedians. Making the switch from analyst at Goldman Sachs to comedy, her humour draws from her background as a Kashmiri, life in a traditional Indian family and life as a woman. Watch her spin her stories live on tour or on YouTube. Plus, you can always start with her OG debut on 'Comicstaan'.


Kanan Gill

We’re pretty sure you’ve watched at least ONE ‘Pretentious Movie Review’ and if you have, Kanan Gill is sure to be a familiar face. You can watch him live - he does quite a few live shows and they are often sold out - or in one of his many Amazon shows like 'Keep it Real', 'Comicstaan', or 'How Insensitive' and 'Son of Abish' on YouTube. We suggest you start with ‘Keep It Real’ which covers everything from parental communication to the Indian Constitution!


Biswa Kalyan Rath

Another alumni from ‘Pretentious Movie Reviews’ on YouTube, Biswa Kalyan Rath is a popular stand-up comedian, writer and YouTuber. Podcast enthusiasts would have heard him along with fellow comedians on the AIB Podcast. A lot of his comedy follows his time as an engineering student navigating life in IIT and being an engineer. Known for his relatable humour, his shows are pretty popular and you can catch him on several Amazon specials like 'Laakhon Mein Ek', 'Improv All Stars: Game Night' and 'Sushi'!