Being a comedian has helped me think with intent: Urooj Ashfaq | Bengaluru News – The Times of India

From experimenting with edgy materials to connecting with her audience, Urooj Ashfaq makes sure to deliver an evening of laughter and self-reflection in every city she performs in. ‘I believe that every comedian brings something unique to the table, and that is what makes comedy such an interesting art form’, said Urooj.
‘If I can make people think and laugh, I am doing it right’
Comedy is more than punchlines, it is a tool to challenge societal norms. Comedians can make people look at things from their perspective and make them laugh on topics that are often considered uncomfortable or taboo. It is no surprise that female comedians have been told many times – what they should and shouldn’t – however, when they get on stage and speak their perspective, it changes things which is immensely powerful. If I can make people think and laugh at the same time, then I’m doing my job right.
‘I am just an unapologetic woman doing comedy’
When it comes to breaking stereotypes, I believe it’s less about confronting and more about simply existing as an unapologetic woman doing comedy. I don’t think my goal is to prove women are funny. If I happen to break any stereotypes along the way, that is great. At the end of the day, my focus is on achieving my true potential and being authentic on stage.
‘Experiments keep the art of comedy alive, and that’s what I am doing, too’
My current experiment with a new persona on stage is called a ‘funny, edgy bad girl’ character. Edgy doesn’t mean shocking people – it is about being unafraid to say things that push boundaries in my style.
‘I entered comedy 10 years ago and my world has changed, since’
I started doing comedy when I was twenty years old and in the nearly 10 years of being in the industry, I have grown so much – as an individual as well as a comedian. Being a comedian made me more honest, open-minded, and confident to stand up for things I believe in. Being around so many incredible comedians has shaped my worldview which makes me think about everything with more intent. I feel comedy made me more focused on making positive change – one laugh at a time.
‘Bengaluru has the most generous comedy audience, as compared to anywhere else in India’
Bengaluru stands out for its warm and generous audience which makes performing here much more fulfilling. My top three cities to perform are Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi, with Bengaluru being number one. The audience in the city is not very stuck-up and embraces anything from jokes on traffic to a more niche happening of the day. Everything about Bengaluru feels welcoming which makes performing here a real joy.