Vineeta Rao
Auckland, May 23, 2025
We caught up with the hilarious Nazeem Hussain, down in Auckland for the New Zealand Comedy Festival, for a chat on his latest show ‘You paid for this,’ but ended up talking about life, being a migrant, comedy and parenthood! So if you want to know what his show is about, you can catch it on Saturday 24th May as part of the New Zealand Comedy Festival. Tickets are almost sold out and can be bought here.
Like every good migrant child, Nazeem Hussain did not plan for a career in comedy. But now that he is here, the Australian comedian, actor and writer has carved a unique space for himself in the global comedy landscape – one that reflects the complexities of identity, race, religion and belonging, all while delivering punchlines that land with humour and heart.
Nazeem’s comedy is deeply rooted in his upbringing as the child of Sri Lankan Muslim migrants from Columbo. His mother, a single parent and a recurring character in his routines, is more than just comedic fodder—she is a symbol of resilience and cultural duality.
“There is a lot to be admired about that first-generation migrant,” Hussain said in a recent interview with Indian Newslink. “They push up against a culture that is not accepting of them, and then forge a life for their kids in an extremely foreign place.”
He credits his mother’s outsider perspective with shaping his comedic lens. “She is just a funny person,” he said. “You know, I read somewhere that a child’s inner voice is their parents voice. So it is hard to parent without her voice in the back of my head at all times.” He laughed, saying “We fight them our whole childhoods,” he added, “but then when you grow up, that is all you are.”
Comedy as Cultural Commentary
Hussain’s work often explores the tension of being a “third culture kid”—not fully Australian, not entirely Sri Lankan, but something in between. “We try very hard to keep those worlds apart,” he explained. “But at some point, those two worlds bleed into each other. That’s probably where my comedy lies.”
He’s candid about the challenges of growing up in a predominantly white culture. “No kid wants to feel different growing up. Every kid naturally wants to fit in,” he said. “So when I see comedians talk about how proud they are of their difference, it makes me feel affirmed.”
He also reflected on the pressure many migrants feel to assimilate. “A lot of my friends just downplayed their’ Indianness’ or ‘Sri Lankanness’ because we are in such normatively white cultures,” he said. “I do not want my kids to feel that way.”
In a world where comedy often walks the tightrope between entertainment and activism, Nazeem Hussain strides confidently, armed with wit, warmth, and a sharp eye for cultural contradictions.
Taking a stand
Hussain does not shy away from controversial topics. Whether it’s calling out racism or expressing solidarity with Palestine, he’s unafraid to speak his truth—even if it risks alienating some of his audience.
“I do not know if I walk a fine line,” he said. “I just walk my line. People either find it funny or they do not.”
He adds, “Naturally when you are a young Muslim man in Australia with all that is going on in the country and the world, you do carry that baggage.”
That said, he believes comedy must be authentic to be effective. “Comedy that tries to please everybody is not funny,” he said. “It has to be funny first. If it is not, it does not stay in the show.”
From Hecklers to Heart-Stopping Moments
Despite the occasional heckler—like the infamous night in Edinburgh where he was booed off stage by locals who hated the Fringe Festival—Hussain has found a loyal audience. “I actually thought they wanted to kill me,” he recalls his first time at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. “It was the most traumatising gig I have ever done.”
But not all disruptions are hostile. In Canberra, a man in the front row had a seizure mid-show. “I asked ‘Any doctors in the room?’ and about ten people came down—Indians, Sri Lankans, Pakistanis. One guy had a PhD, another was a dentist. I was like, ‘We do not need a dentist right now!’”
The Digital Shift
As comedy increasingly moves online, Hussain acknowledges the pressure to adapt. “Now comedians are trying to please the algorithm,” he said. “You can almost score your comedy based on likes and shares.”
Still, he remains grounded in the live experience. “I perform to live audiences, and based on the laughs I get, that is what I tweak,” he said. “Translating that to online—that is the challenge.”
Collaborations and Inspirations
Hussain’s collaborations with fellow South African-Kiwi comedian Ursula Carlson have become viral sensations. “She improvises everything,” he said. “And makes everything 100% funnier.” He recalled a moment in Edinburgh when they were handing out flyers for their show and someone mocked him. “Ursula just stepped in and was like, ‘Back off or deal with me.’ She’s fiercely loyal.”
As for his comedic inspirations, Hussain cites Dave Chappelle, Nate Bargatze, Margaret Cho, and Bill Burr. “I love watching a lot of comedy,” he said. “I am constantly learning.”
Looking Ahead
With a growing global fanbase and a voice that resonates across cultures, Nazeem Hussain is more than just a comedian—he’s a cultural bridge, a storyteller, and a provocateur with purpose.
“I feel like comedy is really just tension that you’re creating, and a punchline is the release of that,” he said. “So when the subject matter is risky, it’s inherently ripe for comedy.”
As he continues to tour, collaborate, and create, one thing is certain: Hussain’s comedy will keep challenging norms, celebrating difference, and—most importantly—making us laugh.
Video Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4a6OEoYwnc&ab_channel=NazeemHussain
