"It's harder because you’re a woman being funny"
Within India’s comedic landscape, where talent blossoms like wildflowers, Urooj Ashfaq has captured audiences with her wit, charm, and boundary-pushing humour.
From the bustling streets of Mumbai to the prestigious stages of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Urooj has become a trailblazer for the new wave of young South Asian comics.
Born in Dubai and transplanted to Mumbai at the age of 12, her journey is nothing short of inspirational.
From open-mic nights to being crowned the Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards is extraordinary.
As she takes the spotlight, she cites influential figures like Sarah Silverman, Bridget Christie, and James Acaster.
Whilst these creative heroes are great role models, Urooj Ashfaq has become an entirely new force to be reckoned with.
Her disarming charm and unapologetic attitude have earned her a devoted fanbase and propelled her to the forefront of the comedy scene.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into the life and mind of Urooj Ashfaq, exploring her journey from humble beginnings to international acclaim.
From Dubai to Mumbai, what’s the funniest cultural clash you’ve experienced during this transition?
Thank you for such high compliments you are my favourite interviewer.
I think performance-wise for me it’s always fascinating to see what people are afraid to laugh at in every country.
I think it tells you a lot about their politics and cultural values.
It’s also funny because different parts of the show don’t work in different places and I have to dig myself out of a hole each time
How have your inspirations impacted your style?
Yes, of course, a lot of comedians I look up to have influenced my comedic style.
However, I am not sure in what exact way because I haven’t poked at it.
I think I read an article where Sarah Silverman said “comedy dies in the second-guessing of what the audience wants from you”.
“I took away a lot from that one statement about not treating my work like it’s business to scale.”
So instead, I treat it like a unique art form that it is.
Can you share a behind-the-scenes story from ‘Queens of Comedy’?
Firstly I am impressed that you’ve seen the show, so thank you for watching it!
There are too many good memories from that show,
But, my favourite story is that me and my roommate/fellow contestant Anshita would order ice cream at 2:30 am to our hotel room every night.
This would really bother the good people of room service who just wished we would sleep.
Each night the slab of ice cream got passive-aggressively bigger and on our very last night they sent us the whole box of ice cream.
What went through your mind when you won the Edinburgh Comedy Award?
I was pretty stunned when they called my name.
“I feel like I don’t remember receiving the award with the utmost clarity.”
However, I wish I had a funny speech prepared because I really bumbled on stage and ran away.
What was running through my mind was “woooohoooooooo”.
Which part of your ‘Oh No!’ show was the most cathartic to perform?
Reading my childhood diaries is the most cathartic.
I’ve tried to block out most of my childhood from my memory.
So using parts of it to manufacture joy for strangers is pretty cathartic.
Almost all situations or behaviours are ripe for comedic exploration.
One is at the mercy of their mind to come up with jokes.
Having said that, I do find emotionally charged situations to be most ripe for comedic exploration.
What’s your take on the comedy between different generations?
I did not really realise that Gen Z energy was something I was putting out, but I have been told this before.
I suppose since I am 28 years old, I seem to have more Gen Z energy and experiences.
“I am a Zillennial – a sick term used for everyone born between 1992 – 2002.”
However, I think in terms of generational differences it has to probably do with Gen Z not enjoying jokes that punch down on people.
Boomers enjoy jokes that punch down on people and Millenials enjoy nothing.
I believe my unique position as a ‘ugh’…Zillenial helps me understand everybody’s feelings.
Do you have a favourite medium for expression?
Yes, my favourite medium of expression is talking shit in a group chat with my friends.
But, my second favourite medium of expression is stand-up comedy.
I love the solitary nature of standup and I also enjoy all the success and the humiliation on stage.
All of it belongs to me and only me and I find it empowering to have to deal with all of it myself.
What advice would you give to comedians wanting to host their own show?
It is really fun to host a show.
However, because it was a limited series, I got to experience it for a finite amount of time.
“I was glad to do it that way because hosting a show takes a whole lot of time and energy.”
It’s really hard to do stand up on the side with it.
Can you describe a moment when a joke didn’t land as expected?
There are so many moments to choose from in terms of a joke not landing.
I think one such memorable moment would be the time I went to do a corporate gig.
After 10 minutes of not getting any laughs, I tried to interact with the audience and see what the issue was.
But they were wound up so tight from having their bosses there, that they would barely speak to me.
The only way I thought I could handle this was to just power through the rest of my time.
I spent the next 30 minutes doing my jokes like a TED talk, got off stage, and left immediately.
Has it been harder for you to thrive in this career?
Yes in some ways it’s harder because you’re a woman being funny.
That doesn’t sit well with men (especially online).
In terms of backlash, I have also received it online if they think I’m stepping out of line and talking about something women shouldn’t be.
For example, when I uploaded my first ever YouTube video called “Uber Driver and Grandmother”.
“It was essentially about the biases of Hindus and Muslims towards each other in India.”
It was a risky topic but tackling it was quite rewarding and it happened to be successful in the end!
If you could collaborate with any comedian, who would it be?
Oh, this is so difficult to answer.
I can think of so many comics I would like to collaborate with!
It would be a dream come true to write under (if that’s a thing) Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Or it would also be really nice to write a sketch series with my friend and extremely funny fellow comedian, Prashasti Singh.
In the world of comedy, where laughter is a universal language, Urooj Ashfaq has emerged as a beacon of originality, seamlessly blending cultural nuances with razor-sharp charm.
Her journey is a testament to her talent and the global appeal of her humour.
As the comedian continues to break new ground in stand-up, writing, and acting, it’s evident that Urooj Ashfaq is a storyteller, weaving narratives that resonate with audiences far and wide.
In becoming the first India-based stand-up comedian to be honoured with the Best Newcomer Award at the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Awards, Urooj has become a history-maker and opened doors for future generations.
Her ability to tackle diverse topics, from therapy and phone etiquette to the complexities of childhood, reflects the versatility of her comedic prowess.
As we look towards the future, it’s clear that Uroof Ashfaq’s career is only getting started.
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