6 Hilarious South Asian Comedians You Need to Follow
In the words of J.B Priestley, “Comedy, we may say, is society protecting itself — with a smile”. And despite the uncertainty of the last year, this sentence rings truer than ever.
While people found different hobbies and passions to keep themselves distracted during the pandemic, many of us binge-watched our favourite comedy shows and stand-up acts. In times like these, humour has provided a much-needed respite.
So if you’re one of those people who enjoy witty and satirical comedy, then we’ve got you covered! We’ve made a list of some of the best South Asian comedians that guarantee to make you laugh till your stomach hurts!
1. 6 Hilarious South Asian Comedians
1.1 Lilly Singh

Location: Canada-United States
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilly/?hl=en
About :
Lilly Singh, also known as ‘Superwoman’, is a popular Indian comedian and YouTube sensation with 15 million followers. She is the first openly queer woman of colour to host her own late-night talk show, ‘A Little Late with Lilly Singh’ on NBC. With multiple awards, including Teen Choice, Streamy, and People’s Choice, Lilly’s talent and hard work have earned her global recognition as a ‘Choice Web Star: Comedy’, ‘Favourite YouTube Star’, and ‘Social Superstar of the Year’.
Why should you follow them?
Lilly Singh’s relatability makes her one of the top female South Asian comedians. She humorously captures the immigrant experience in Canada, features alter-egos and exaggerated characters in her sketches, and shares relatable moments of growing up in a brown household. Her viral hit “Official Guide to Brown Girls” poked fun at Indian culture and gained her 10,000 followers in a day. Check out her YouTube channel for some light-hearted, relatable comedy to brighten your day.
1.2 Niharika NM

Location: United States
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niharika_nm/?hl=en
About :
As one of Instagram’s fastest-growing South Asian comedians and digital content creators, Niharika NM has made a name for herself in the world of comedy content creation. Although she started her successful YouTube channel in 2016, juggling content creation and her engineering degree proved difficult, causing her to disappear from the scene. But in 2020, Niharika bounced back during the pandemic by creating hilarious 20-30 second videos using Instagram Reels. Her comedic talent quickly gained recognition and made her a rising star in no time.
Why should you follow them?
Niharika believes that what makes her unique is how animated she can be with her expressions, accent, and tone of delivery. And we couldn’t agree more! Though people came to her Instagram page for her relatable reels, they definitely stayed for her witty South Indian humour. Niharika draws inspiration from Indian comedians like Vivek, Santhanam, and Vadivelu, her friends, and family, to create comedy sketches that are truly a breath of fresh air.
1.3 Hasan Minhaj

Location: United States
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hasanminhaj/?hl=en
About:
Hasan Minaj is a South Asian comedian, actor, writer, producer, and TV host, with over 1.5 million followers on Instagram. Hasan is the recipient of two Peabody awards — the first for his Netflix stand-up comedy special ‘Homecoming King’ and the other for his weekly comedy show, ‘Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj’.
Listed as one of TIME’s 100 most influential people in the world, Hasan’s comedic career took off in 2009 when he was the finalist on NBC’s Stand-up for Diversity. Since then, he has appeared on many TV shows, including Failosophy, Stand Up Planet, The Daily Show, and GoatFace. He was also the speaker at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2017, where he performed a comedy sketch on national politics, D.C society, and current events.
Well-known amongst popular Desi comedians, Minhaj often addresses issues related to race, religion, and politics with his trademark wit and humour, making him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
Why should you follow them?
Following Hasan Minhaj would be a great choice for those who appreciate insightful and thought-provoking humour. He uses his platform to tackle serious issues in a way that is both entertaining and educational, making his content appealing to a wide range of audiences. Plus, his unique perspective as a South Asian American adds an important voice to the comedy world.
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1.4 Mindy Kaling

Location: United States
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindykaling/?hl=en
About:
Mindy Kaling is a well-known South Asian American actress, writer, and producer. Born in Massachusetts to Indian immigrant parents, Kaling is best known for her roles in the hit television shows The Office and The Mindy Project. She has also written several bestselling books, including Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) and Why Not Me?. Kaling is an influential figure in the entertainment industry, using her platform to promote diversity and representation both on and off screen.
Why should you follow them?
From Kelly Kapoor in The Office to Mindy Lahiri in The Mindy Project, Kaling’s self-deprecating humour doesn’t just make her extremely endearing but also hella relatable.
And despite being very successful doing what she does, Mindy is as humble as ever. Whether it’s making memes about herself or fangirling over Oprah, she has never let success get to her head. However, at the same time, being a woman of colour in a foreign country never stopped her from believing in herself and chasing her dreams. Full of gumption, ambition, and body positivity, Kaling is a South Asian comedian who is truly a class apart.
1.5 Aziz Ansari

Location: United States
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azizansari/?hl=en
About :
Aziz Ansari is a well-known South Asian comedian, actor, and writer based in the United States. He is the proud recipient of several awards, including two Emmys and a Golden Globe — the first South Asian comedian to receive the honour for acting on television.
He is most noted for his role on the NBC show ‘Parks and Recreation’ and his Netflix series ‘Master of None’. Apart from being featured in films, television shows, music videos, and stand-up specials, he is also one of the few comedians to have sold out a show at the Madison Square Garden in New York, joining the likes of all-time famous comedians Eddie Murphy, Kevin Hart, and Chris Rock.
Why should you follow them?
If you’re looking for relatable and insightful comedy, then following Aziz Ansari would be a great decision. His stand-up routines and TV shows explore topics such as dating, relationships, and culture in a way that is both hilarious and thought-provoking. Ansari’s unique perspective as a South Asian American also adds an important and refreshing voice to the comedy world.
Through his work, Ansari often addresses issues related to identity, relationships, and modern culture with his signature wit and humour, making him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
1.6 Romesh Ranganathan

Location: United Kingdom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romeshranga/?hl=en
About :
From a continent not featured on this list so far, Romesh is a British comedian, writer, and television presenter. Though he started out as a maths teacher, he soon found his calling on the comedy circuit and is now a very successful and sought-after South Asian comedian.
Apart from the countless TV appearances on shows such as The Apprentice: You’re Fired! and The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, he is also the host of the podcast ‘Hip Hop Saved My Life’ and the author of his autobiography, ‘Straight Outta Crawley: Memoirs of a Distinctly Average Human Being’.
Why should you follow them?
For fans of clever one-liners and dry humour, Romesh is the UK’s top South Asian comedian. Drawing from his family and middle-aged struggles, he keeps his audience entertained with relatable anecdotes that go on for hours. Surprisingly, the pandemic provided him with new content inspiration as he homeschooled his three children over the past year. During an interview, Romesh, who is vegan, was asked what he drinks now. Without missing a beat, he replied with deadpan delivery, “I have compassion.
2. FAQs
- What is South Asian comedy?
South Asian comedy is a genre of comedy that reflects the experiences of South Asian people and incorporates their unique perspectives and humorous insights.
- Who are some famous South Asian comedians?
Some famous South Asian comedians include Lilly Singh, Niharika NM, Hasan Minhaj, and Mindy Kaling.
- How has South Asian comedy evolved over time?
South Asian comedy and Desi comedians have evolved over time to incorporate new themes and styles that reflect changing times and the diaspora experience.
- What are some challenges faced by South Asian comedians?
Challenges faced by South Asian comedians include limited opportunities for representation and encountering biases in the entertainment industry.
- Where can I see South Asian comedy shows or festivals?
You can see South Asian comedy shows or festivals through digital media platforms or by attending live events and festivals that feature South Asian comedians.
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