The Indian comedy scene has noticed a significant shift in the kind of content that is being consumed, and hence delivered. Audiences are open to newer opinions, so the more, the merrier. This also means that there is more scope for representation, even though we’re still lagging there. However, we are noticing more women in comedy, which is definitely for good. This way, we’re finally getting standups that are not from the male gaze and for the male gaze. The female perspective has definitely brought in important changes.
Of course, these women are also some of the wittiest people in the scene.
1. Sumukhi Suresh
Sumukhi is an actor, comedian, writer and director who has been doing great work. She’s known for her standups, but also the sketches that she writes and directs. Her standup special Don’t Tell Amma is the perfect example of her content, that offers a sense of relatability. She also starred in Pushpavalli, a web series which found a lot of love for exploring something different. Sumukhi Suresh is constantly working to change the face of Indian content, and it’s something to look forward to.
2. Urooj Ashfaq
Urooj was one of the answers for a KBC question this year, and that’s one way to comprehend her achievements. She recently became the first Indian comic to win the Edinburgh Fringe’s Perrier Award, and has been touring for her standup solo since. Oh No! is her recent set which is refreshing, yet relatable – like her work always is. Her writing is clever, intelligent and everything an evolving comedy scene needs.
3. Prashasti Singh
Prashasti has also been touring and experimenting with her sets, and this year we’ve witnessed quite the showcase from her. She was one of the top three comics on Amazon Prime Video’s popular comedy reality show, Comicstaan. Since then, she’s been performing constantly and her wit or style always shows in her work. Recently, she worked as a writer for Thank You For Coming, which is being appreciated across the world.
4. Shreeja Chaturvedi
Shreeja has a style that literally no one can match, and it’s often characterized by her straight-faced jokes. The Comicstaan participant has been in the comedy scene for almost two years now, and her standups keep getting funnier by the day. Everything she writes and performs is witty and clever in its delivery. She also makes it particularly relevant for women of today, and that is something we need more of.
5. Sumaira Shaikh
Sumaira is known for her satirical sets which are honest and quite funny. Her work never fails to say it as it is and that’s a quality very few people possess. She has also worked as a writer for Son of Abish. Other than that, the comedian joined Sumukhi Suresh to write Amazon Prime’s Pushpavalli. She’s constantly working to write and create content, which is exceptionally smart, but her live performances are something else!
6. Swati Sachdeva
Swati Sachdeva broke the internet with her standup, Love Is Love. Her take on our society’s knowledge and acceptance for the queer community was as honest as it was funny. It hit because it was so real. Since then, a lot of us have been looking forward to more of her work. She creates a lot of good content and has been performing live shows which are always very witty. Her ability to blend representation and comedy in one set is something unique, and to watch out for.
7. Kaneez Surka
When it comes to voices that stand out, Kaneez Surka is probably the first person who comes to a lot our minds. She’s a comedian, improv artist and YouTuber who also writes sketches. The comedian was also one of the judges during the first two seasons of Comicstaan. She had also performed a special called Ladies Up for Netflix, where she talked about marriage, divorce and everything in between.
8. Aishwarya Mohanraj
Aishwarya is another Comicstaan participant who found fame right after her appearance on the show. Now, the comedian also focuses on content creation, and her work is always relatable. Everything she comes up with, even if it is a vlog, has a flair which is very ‘Aishwarya’ – it’s unique and fun. Her standup video, My Pregnancy Test also garnered a lot of attention, praise, and well, likes. Aishwarya also has an ‘awkward interview series’ with artists for Netflix India, and these interactions are what we’re living for.
Women have always had a lot to say – important stuff, funny stuff. It’s nice that some are finally finding the platforms for it.
