Vineeta Rao
Auckland, June 9, 2025
Stand up comedy is no laughing business in India. There are an estimated 10,000 standup comedians in the country, with many more in the sidelines. Competition is stiff and the battle for eyeballs is fought across venues, both domestic and international, and social media.
One comedian who appears to be a family favourite is Amit Tandon. Not to be confused with the actor Amit Tandon, Amit the comedian is known for his clean, relatable humor that delves into the everyday struggles of married life. With wry humour, he talks to us about things he has observed about life that we all can relate to. And he does so with the sort of humour that leaves his audience in splits.
Tandon did not start his career with a mic in hand. In fact, the turning point came much later in life. “I already had a family, so earning money was very important for me,” he recalls in an interview with Indian Newslink. “When I realised I could pursue my passion as a profession, that really changed things.” Around the age of 37, while juggling a full-time job and his own business, Tandon began receiving offers for corporate gigs and ticketed shows. The income, though modest at first, was enough to ignite a full-time pursuit of comedy.
The Digital Leap
One of the biggest challenges Tandon faced was reaching a wider audience. “I was doing comedy for five years and selling 25–30 tickets,” he says. That changed in 2015 when he began uploading his content to YouTube and social media. “It is tough to let go of your best sets and put them online, because once it is out there, you can’t perform it again. But that is how you start selling tickets and building an audience.”
This digital leap came with another challenge: constantly creating fresh material. “After 14 years, the well of your observations starts to dry up,” he admits wryly. “You have to dig deeper—beyond the first, second, and third levels of storytelling—to find something new and meaningful.”
Comedy with Conscience
Tandon’s comedy is rooted in relatability, often drawing from his experiences as a husband, father, and citizen. While he generally avoids controversial topics, he does not shy away from sharing his perspective when it matters.
“As long as you believe what you are saying and it comes from the right place – and not from malice -people get it,” he explains. And when he does misstep, he is not above acknowledging it. “If I feel I have made a mistake in a joke, I have also apologised.”
He also acknowledges the growing sensitivity in audiences. “People have become a little angrier than before,” he says. “But as long as the law of the land prevails and it is not mob justice, you can pursue your art.”
A Bright Future for Indian Comedy
Tandon is optimistic about the future of stand-up in India. “Every year, new comedians are selling tickets and performing well,” he notes. What excites him most is the regional expansion of comedy. “Earlier it was just Hindi or English, but now you have Gujarati, Punjabi, Marathi, even Himachali comedians doing well.”
He sees comedians evolving into multi-platform content creators. “We are not just performers—we are writers, podcasters, and even filmmakers. Some of us are running advertising agencies or writing for TV and movies. Comedy is just one of the many ways we express ourselves.”
What’s Next?
His career is no laughing matter for Amit. He’s a prolific writer, podcaster and content creator. He regularly comes up with new material, and tours frequently, much to the delight of his fans.
Tandon is currently working on a new show centered around the history of Bollywood, tracing its roots from 1916 to the present day. “It is full of facts and amazing stories,” he says with excitement. He’s also involved in several undisclosed projects, including movies and series that are in the pitching phase. “Hopefully, they will see the light of day soon.”
If you missed Amit Tandon’s recent performance in New Zealand, get out your calendars and mark the dates for his next show Halwa in New Zealand.
Vineeta Rao is an Indian Newslink Reporter based in Auckland.
