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Standup comedy as a career?
Have you ever been told you have a good sense of humor? Very witty? Have killer sarcasm and brilliant timing to crack up a joke? Well, you are blessed with this art and have a great future to explore the space of standup comedy as a career. Like every other field of interest, this one, too, comes with its own set of struggles, embarrassment, and hard work to climb the ladder of success. Today, the comic scene in the Indian circuit is very vibrant and full of opportunities. Heard of Zakir Khan, Kenny Sebastian, Kannan Gill, Sumukhi Suresh, Aditi Mittal, and many others?
Imagine choosing to pursue your passion instead of the tried-and-trusted engineering path. Does it seem like a good life? Today, more unconventional jobs dominate the professional world, making it simpler to follow your passion. One such career is standup comedy.
I’m sure you know, a standup comedian is a performer who delivers humorous jokes and skits to an audience in person. They use cleverness, sarcasm, mockery, and physical humor to amuse and entertain a group of individuals. Due to the growing number of urban Indians who enjoy the nightlife, the standup comedy scene in India has become a prosperous form of entertainment.
Creating humorous material in any circumstance requires bravery and quick thinking. In light of our increasingly busy lives, standup comedians offer us the opportunity to unwind and find humor in life’s situations. Standup comedy has become a lucrative profession in India in recent years, with many talented individuals making a name for themselves in the comedy scene. From open mics to sold-out shows, they make audiences laugh and earn a living.
One popular name in the Indian comedy scene is Biswa Kalyan Rath. He is a standup comedian, writer, and YouTuber who started his career in 2015. He gained popularity with his show, “Pretentious Movie Reviews,” where he and his friend humorously reviewed Bollywood movies. Biswa has since released multiple comedy specials and has a loyal fan base. Another popular name in the Indian comedy scene is Aditi Mittal. She is among the first women to establish herself as a standup comedian in India. Aditi started her career in 2010 and has since performed worldwide. She is known for her sharp wit and fearless comedy.
Kenny Sebastian is another talented comedian who has made a name for himself in India. He started his career on YouTube and gained popularity with his humorous sketches and music videos. Kenny now performs standup comedy shows and has released multiple comedy specials. These are just a few examples of the many talented comedians in India.
These individuals have worked hard and honed their craft to become successful in a profession that was once considered unconventional. As engineering graduates in India, you often find yourselves pursuing conventional career paths deemed more stable and secure. However, have you ever considered a career in standup comedy? Yes, you heard it right.
Standup comedy is gaining immense popularity in India and has emerged as a lucrative profession for those with a knack for making people laugh. With the rise of comedy clubs, open mics, and online platforms, the Indian standup scene has grown tremendously in the past few years. Wondering how standup comedy is relevant to your engineering degree? Well, engineering and humor both require creativity, problem-solving skills, and thinking on your feet. Moreover, the engineering mindset helps you create structured, logical sets that resonate with the audience.
But why should one consider standup comedy as a career? The answer is simple – it creates the best of both worlds. Established comedians in India enjoy themselves on stage and earn anywhere between 50,000 to 5 lakhs per show. The demand for good comedians is only increasing. Moreover, with the rise of digital platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, and YouTube, comedians can now reach a global audience and earn substantial money through online shows.
However, becoming successful in this space requires hard work and dedication. It involves writing and practicing your material, performing in front of live audiences, and constantly improving your craft. It would help if you had a distinct sense of humor, impeccable timing, and the capacity to connect with your audience to succeed. Start by observing and evaluating the performances of successful comedians to learn the craft. Write your material once you understand what works and what doesn’t. Have a notebook to record thoughts and observations for amusing stories.
In conclusion, standup comedy is a profession that offers immense potential for engineering graduates in India. With the growing demand for good comedians and the rise of digital platforms, it has become a viable career option that can provide financial stability and creative satisfaction. So, if you have a talent for making people laugh, don’t hesitate to pursue standup comedy as a career. Who knows, you might be the next big thing in the Indian comedy scene!
With all engineering colleges hosting huge cultural fests, there are plenty of opportunities to hone your skill in extracurricular activities, which can transform into a side hustle or a profession. New Horizon College of Engineering is one such institution that offers a plethora of openings through the multiple fests organized, ranging from Sargam to Revelations to plenty of other inter and intra-college competitions. Unlike yesteryear when conventions were feared to be broken, today’s young adult finds ways to blend their profession with a passion to evolve as holistic individuals capable of multitasking and deriving joy and satisfaction.