Indian-origin Singaporean comedians Rishi Budhrani and Sharul Channa are set to perform in Bengaluru and Chennai this weekend as part of their journey to reconnect with their roots and expand into India’s booming stand-up comedy market.
Rishi, 40, and Sharul, 37, are well-known in Southeast Asia and recently impressed audiences in Cape Town. They are eager to replicate their success in India, a market Rishi describes as “huge and waiting to be tapped.”
Rishi, whose parents hail from Mumbai and Jaipur, has performed in several Indian cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Gurugram. This visit marks his first performance in Chennai, where he feels his English-language comedy will be more widely appreciated.”Growing up in Singapore, I often felt like an outsider in India,” he said. “Now, I’m focusing more on Indian heritage and the bonds between Indians.”
Sharul, who will perform solo shows in Bengaluru and Mumbai, highlighted India’s fast-growing comedy scene. “The reach is bigger, there’s more money, and I want to establish a base here with Rishi,” she said.
This weekend’s shows also mark the couple’s first “double headliner” performance in India, a milestone Rishi is particularly excited about. Together, they hope to bridge cultural connections and make a lasting impact on India’s thriving stand-up comedy landscape.
