Stand-up comedy in India has seen a tremendous rise in recent years, with many talented comedians gaining nationwide and international fame. These comedians use observational humor, satire, and relatable storytelling to entertain audiences. From viral YouTube performances to global Netflix specials, Indian stand-up comedians have made a significant mark in the entertainment industry.
1. Zakir Khan
Early Life & Background
Zakir Khan was born on August 20, 1987, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He comes from a family of musicians; his grandfather was a classical musician, and his father, Ismail Khan, is a music teacher. Zakir, however, pursued a different artistic path, initially aspiring to be a radio producer before discovering stand-up comedy.
Career Journey
Zakir rose to fame in 2012 after winning Comedy Central India’s Best Stand-Up Comedian competition. His breakthrough came with his Amazon Prime special Haq Se Single, where he introduced his now-famous Sakht Launda persona, representing a tough guy who doesn’t easily fall for love.
Achievements & Notable Works
- YouTube: Over 7 million subscribers
- Stand-up specials: Haq Se Single, Tathastu
- Web series: Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare
2. Vir Das
Early Life & Background
Born on May 31, 1979, in Dehradun, Vir Das moved to Nigeria as a child and later studied at Knox College, Illinois, USA. He initially pursued theater and acting before switching to comedy.
Career Journey
Vir started as a stage performer in the U.S. and later returned to India, performing in theater productions. He gained recognition through The Great Indian Comedy Show and eventually established himself as India’s first international comedian, performing in over 25 countries.
Achievements & Notable Works
- First Indian comedian to have multiple Netflix specials
- Emmy-nominated for Vir Das: For India
- Acted in Bollywood films like Delhi Belly, Go Goa Gone
3. Abhishek Upmanyu
Early Life & Background
Born in 1990, Abhishek Upmanyu hails from New Delhi and has a background in chemical engineering. Before stand-up, he worked as a researcher and writer for On Air with AIB.
Career Journey
Abhishek started his stand-up journey in 2016, gaining recognition through his fast-paced delivery and sarcastic humor. His jokes often revolve around childhood memories, Delhi vs. Mumbai comparisons, and social observations.
Achievements & Notable Works
- YouTube channel: Over 4 million subscribers
- Stand-up special: Thoda Saaf Bol
- Viral videos: Delhi vs Mumbai, Breakup & Respect
4. Kenny Sebastian
Early Life & Background
Born on December 31, 1990, in Kerala and raised in Bangalore, Kenny Sebastian was drawn to art and filmmaking from a young age. He initially studied at NIFT, pursuing visual design before moving into stand-up.
Career Journey
Kenny started as a YouTube content creator before gaining national fame through stand-up. He is known for clean comedy, relatable stories, and adding musical elements to his performances.
Achievements & Notable Works
- Stand-up specials: Don’t Be That Guy, The Most Interesting Person in the Room
- Judge on: Comicstaan
- YouTube subscribers: Over 2 million
5. Biswa Kalyan Rath
Early Life & Background
Born on December 27, 1989, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Biswa Kalyan Rath was an IIT Kharagpur graduate who worked as a software engineer before switching to comedy.
Career Journey
Biswa gained recognition alongside Kanan Gill with Pretentious Movie Reviews, where they humorously reviewed Bollywood films. He later established himself as a stand-up comedian with intellectual humor and sarcastic storytelling.
Achievements & Notable Works
- Amazon Prime special: Biswa Mast Aadmi
- Web series creator: Laakhon Mein Ek
- YouTube subscribers: Over 1 million
6. Kanan Gill
Early Life & Background
Born on December 24, 1989, in Bangalore, Kanan Gill was a software engineer before shifting to comedy.
Career Journey
Kanan Gill’s Pretentious Movie Reviews made him an internet sensation. He later became one of India’s top stand-up comedians and a judge on Comicstaan.
Achievements & Notable Works
- Netflix special: Yours Sincerely
- Viral YouTube series: Pretentious Movie Reviews
7. Atul Khatri
Early Life & Background
Born in Mumbai, Atul Khatri was a businessman before switching to stand-up comedy at age 45.
Career Journey
He is one of India’s first corporate comedians, performing for elite business audiences. His humor focuses on middle-class family life and aging.
Achievements & Notable Works
- Featured on Netflix’s Comedians of the World
- TEDx Speaker
8. Aakash Gupta
Early Life & Background
Born in Delhi, Aakash Gupta was active in theater before transitioning to stand-up comedy.
Career Journey
Aakash won Comicstaan Season 2, making him one of India’s fastest-rising comedians. His physical comedy and exaggerated expressions make him stand out.
Achievements & Notable Works
- Comicstaan Season 2 winner
- Viral YouTube videos with 100M+ views
9. Anubhav Singh Bassi
Early Life & Background
Born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Anubhav Bassi studied law before switching to comedy.
Career Journey
His storytelling style has made him one of India’s most viral stand-up comedians.
Achievements & Notable Works
- Amazon Prime special: Bas Kar Bassi
10. Rahul Dua
Early Life & Background
Born in Punjab, Rahul Dua was an MBA graduate before turning to stand-up.
Career Journey
He gained fame as runner-up on Comicstaan, with a style mixing sarcasm and dry humor.
Achievements & Notable Works
- Finalist on Comicstaan
- Host of Shark Tank India
These comedians have transformed India’s comedy scene, each with their unique style. Whether it’s Zakir Khan’s storytelling, Vir Das’s satire, or Anubhav Bassi’s casual humor, they have shaped modern Indian stand-up comedy.
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