Urooj Ashfaq is a 28-year-old stand-up comedian from Mumbai who is the first India-based comedian to win the Edinburgh Comedy award in its 40-year history – and the first comedian of South Asian heritage to win since 1997. She won the Best Newcomer Award for her show ‘Oh No!’. In her taboo-breaking, intensely likeable show that was produced by Soho Theatre in association with OML, she reflected on cultural differences, her experiences in therapy and her parents’ divorce.
In a conversation with ABP Live over email, Urooj shared how she started with comedy, her favourite comedians, the unique challenges she faces as a female comedian and much more.
Here are some exerpts from the interview:
What made you step into the world of comedy?
I’ve always loved everything funny! I used to watch live comedy shows in college, and then I learnt about open mics where newcomers could get on stage and try it out for the first time. After the completion of my bachelors degree, I applied to several colleges for a masters degree but didn’t get into any. So, I took a year gap and started doing open mics. I got a writing job with AIB and then Son of Abish and in that year I felt comedy could be an actual career path for me because I absolutely loved doing it.
Recently, you have won the Best Newcomer Award for your show ‘Oh No!’ How does it feel?
I’m really thrilled to have won it and I think it’s pretty surreal to win a Perrier award. The British call it the ‘Oscar’s of comedy’, something which I found out after having won it. So yeah, I hope it brings more global attention to the comedy scene in India.
Did you expect such a recognition to come to you?
I didn’t expect it at all but I secretly hoped it would!
Your comedy often touches on various aspects of everyday life. How do you find humour in these ordinary situations?
I suppose finding humour in things is the defense mechanism of most comedians becasue of which we have found a way to practice this professionally. Finding humour in every ordinary situation or life changing experiences is the best way of dealing with things.
You have travelled to a number of places for your shows, which place has been the most memorable till date and why?
I would have to say it is the Fringe festival in Edinburgh. The festival this year had 3500 shows and I saw at least 2 shows everyday and I spent a month performing and improving my own show everyday. It is an experience unlike any other.
Do you often draw inspiration from personal experiences?
Yes, I tend to stick to personal experiences when it comes to doing comedy.
Have you faced any unique challenges or stereotypes as a female comedian, and how have you navigated them?
Yes, of course. Like any other profession there is sexism in comedy as well, and a lot of it, now I believe, mainly comes from the audiences. It doesn’t sit well with a lot of people that a woman is being funny! I think they don’t know where to place us. They’re used to women in media existing as mothers or lovers. They’re confused about where to put a funny girl having jokes and opinions! It definitely is a deterrent and takes on your mental health initially (the hate and the bullying) but eventually you appreciate the love you get and become quite numb to the hate. Certain words have lost meaning for me because I’ve been called them so many times.
Who are your comedic influences or role models, and how have they shaped your approach to comedy?
I really like Sarah Silverman, James Acaster and of course Phoebe Waller Bridge (not stand up but a comedy hero). What I like about all of them and all the other comedians I look up to, is not just that they are indisputably hilarious but also that they do their own thing. They stay true to themselves and they do not pander. Above all I think from what I have gathered from the way they conduct themselves is that they love their work a lot more than they love the perks they get from it (fame, awards, money etc) and I deeply respect that.
How do you handle stage fright or nervousness before a performance?
I try to listen to a previous performance that went well, I listen to calming music and ultimately I tell myself that this is what pays my bills so I have to be a big girl and just do it.
Can you share any memorable or funny anecdotes from your experiences performing in front of live audiences?
Once I was on a line up show with fellow comedians Saurav Mehta and Abish Mathew in Chennai. We were all performing at a comedy club together and there was a power cut. It was really fun to see the audience get even more excited by the power cut and they all turned on their phone flashlights and cheered on the performers. The same happened recently at NCPA at a very big line up show and this was a thousand seater auditorium! This time also the audience was in good spirits and turned on their phone flashlights and were okay to continue the show. Both times have been pretty memorable for me.
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