Where laughter is not just funny

Mumbai's underground comedy scene: Where "laughter" is not just a joke, it is the voice of social change

  1. The city that never sleeps, the laughter that never stops

  Mumbai—a city that is called the city of dreams, where everyone is in a race to create a different identity for themselves.  Amidst the waves of Bollywood, street food, local trains and Marine Drive, there also resides a world that blossoms in the darkness of the night—the underground comedy scene.

  Here comedy is not just a means of making people laugh, but a movement, a platform where light is thrown on those things of the society about which people shy away from talking openly.  Be it the complexities of politics, social discrimination, or the problems of the common man—these underground stand-up comedians of Mumbai force people to think through their poetry-like comedy.

  2. "Comedy Clubs" that glow in the dark

  If you live in a posh area of Mumbai, you might think that stand-up comedy is all about open mic nights and big comedy clubs.  But the real revolution is happening in those small cafes, basement theaters and obscure studios where new jokes are created every night.

  It's not easy to get there.  Most comedians do their gigs after work, because it's not possible for everyone to make a living from comedy alone.  Sometimes these clubs run in a friend's bakery, an old art gallery, or the back room of a bar, where there are more performers than audience.  But this is the stage where the real power of laughter is seen.

  3. Jokes that make you think

  Once I got a chance to go to a small underground club called "The Blue Cafe".  That day a new comedian was performing there- Aditya Mehra.  His comedy was not just jokes, but many aspects of society were reflected in it.

  "Recently I was traveling in a local train," Aditya began, "suddenly an uncle said—son, make space. I said—uncle, if making space really did anything, then the government would have made space for all of us!" 

  The hall erupted in laughter.  But there was a truth hidden in the laughter.  The crowd of Mumbai, the lack of space and the suppressed despair of the common man, everything was contained in that joke.  The air is hot in a small cafe in Mumbai, "The Comedy Store".  On stage, 25-year-old Riya (name changed) holds the mic and shouts, *"If girls can go out at night, then why is our father's WhatsApp status 'meri beti meri pride'? The real pride will be when he does not track my Uber!" * The crowd erupts in laughter—but this laughter is not just entertainment, but a collective groan.  Here every joke is a **question**, and every clap is an **answer**. 

  Mumbai's underground comedy scene is one of India's boldest artistic movements.  Comedians here don't just tell jokes—they break social taboos, take on political ironies, and present sensitive issues like religion and caste in a humorous way.  This is the story of young people who are using laughter as a weapon.

  4. Laughter that takes on power

  Underground comedy is not just about fun.  At times, it also becomes a means of criticizing power.  These artists, who take a dig at the government, media, religion, and social order, often face difficulties.

  A few years ago, a comedian named Aman Verma took a dig at religious fanaticism in his act.  The very next day, he was accused of spreading hatred on social media.  He started receiving threats, and stopped performing for a few days.   But when he came back, his first words were—

  "Friends, I was scared! Then I thought, if I keep quiet out of fear, I will become a news anchor, not a comedian!"

  On hearing this, the hall erupted in applause.

  5. Mumbai's comedy, which resonates across the country

  Mumbai's underground comedians are no longer limited to small clubs.  Due to social media and YouTube, their voices are reaching across the country.  Many stand-up comedians become viral overnight with their social commentary.

  Apoorva Singh, who is a female stand-up comedian, uploaded a video on her YouTube channel in which she shared her experiences on women's safety and public transport.  The video went so viral that the very next week the Mumbai Metro administration announced new safety features for women.

  6. From underground to mainstream

  Today, comedians who are performing in basement clubs can become the biggest stand-up stars of the country in the coming years.   But the most important thing for them will be to not lose their true identity.

  Laughter is not just a joke.  It is a weapon, a platform, a voice that can lay the foundation for change in society.  These anonymous comedians of Mumbai have proved that comedy is not just entertainment, but can also be a revolution.

  The next time you go to a stand-up comedy show, don't just go to laugh—try to feel the truth hidden in that laughter!