If we have learnt one thing from Shakespeare's plays, it is that fools are among the wisest amongst us all. And indeed, a fool is the bravest of them all!
Looking at Charlie Chaplin and all his admirers in the modern world, it can be said that our comics can also play a very heroic role, helping people cope through crises like a pandemic and even the vagaries of war.
The greatest empaths, excellent observers, standup comedians freely give away what we are all in constant need of – hearty laughter. And even as the recent Chris Rock and Will Smith Oscars on-stage clash over some sensitive material continues to play out, the important role of comics in our life is undisputed.
Therefore, in time for April Fools’ Day, iGlobal decided to spotlight some of the best British Indian comedians on the standup and television circuit. And now that we can finally start planning for live shows post-lockdowns once again, they can also be found at some venues up and down the UK.
A favourite on the standup circuit, one to watch for his laid back style and sudden burst of brilliant jokes, Sunil Patel can be found in comedy clubs across the UK. He has brought various solo shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Sunil found early success as a finalist in the BBC New Comedy Award and Chortle Best Newcomer nominee. He is best known for his starring role in Channel Five's mockumentary series ‘Borderline’ and as John Robbins' sidekick in ‘Beat the Internet’. He also co-hosts the BBC Sounds podcast series 'But Where Are You Really From?'
Winner of several awards, Sunil has appeared in ‘This Time with Alan Partridge’, ‘Stath Lets Flats’, and ‘This Way Up’. He made his standup debut on Jonathan Ross' Comedy Club in 2020.
Sunil will be taking the stage on April Fools’ Day through to other dates across London this month and the next.
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To a lover of standups, Nish Kumar hardly needs an introduction. His debut solo show 'Who is Nish Kumar?' was included in Dave's ‘Ten Funniest Jokes of the Fringe’.
The critically acclaimed comic went on to do a follow-up show in 2013 titled ‘Nish Kumar is a Comedian’, which received rave reviews and a sold-out two-week run at the Soho Theatre in London.
The hilarious man has also been invited to perform at several prestigious comedy shows, including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Leicester Comedy Festival.
Over the years, Nish Kumar has delivered amazing shows, including standup performances and appearances on television.
He also has a range of gigs lined up across the UK over the course of 2022.
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Tajpaul Singh Chowdhry, better known as Paul Chowdhry, is a popular comedian and actor. He is of Sikh descent and began his standup career in 1998.
The host of the fifth series of Channel 4's comedy series 'Stand Up for the Week', Paul was a regular for Series 3 and 4. He was the first British act to perform at the Caribbean Comedy Festival in Trinidad in 2003, has been a guest panellist on ‘8 out of 10 Cats’, and his team was in the final of the comedy quiz ‘Comedy World Cup’.
In 2012, he headlined on 'Live at the Apollo' and embarked upon his second national UK tour to sell-out theatres. Prior to this, he sold out the Indig02 in 2010 and 2011, unheard of for a non-mainstream TV comedian. This positioned him firmly among the UK's leading Indian-origin comedians, with over 4 million YouTube views.
Right from his signature opening phrase "what's happening white people?" he manages to have his audience in fits of laughter.
Paul Chowdhry can be caught live in action at shows all around Britain during the course of the year.
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Sindhu Venkatanarayanan is an Indian standup comedian who lives and performs in the UK under the name of Sindhu Vee.
She was born in New Delhi, the daughter of a civil servant father and teacher mother, and has lived in Delhi, Lucknow and the Philippines. She has studied at the University of Delhi, the University of Oxford, the University of Chicago and McGill University and worked in banking as a "high-flying bonds tradeswoman" in London.
A famous comedian in TV and stage, Sindhu started performing standup comedy in 2012 and has performed on stage in the UK, India, and the United States.
She has also demonstrated her strong acting credentials in acclaimed shows and can be often found as part of a funny panel on TV or radio. Her inimitable style of making full use of her South Indian accent strikes the right chord every time.
