"I started as a meme creator, turned into a comedy nerd, and now I’m standing on stage making people laugh—sometimes even turning a live show into an unexpected therapy session!"
1. What sparked your journey into stand-up comedy?
I grew up consuming a lot of Kannada content—newspapers, magazines, cinema, and music. But what fascinated me the most were the cartoon sections. Whether it was The Times of India’s RK Laxman cartoons or P. Mohammed’s work in Vijay Karnataka, I was drawn to satire, humor, and visual storytelling.
One of my favorites was Sudha magazine’s Neevu Keliddiri section, where readers sent in questions, and Raam responded with witty, sarcastic comebacks. That’s where I first learned what sarcasm, taunts, and punchlines were. I started drawing cartoons in third or fourth grade—just scribbling at the back of my notebooks. Eventually, I moved on to writing skits for school functions and annual days.
In college, I became an emcee, comfortable with a mic in hand and a crowd in front of me. That spontaneity led me to mad ads—those wacky, exaggerated advertisements for college competitions. I also grew up watching Kannada stand-up—whether it was Pranesh’s performances or Harate on Udaya TV during festivals. As the Indian comedy scene took off in 2013-14, I thought, Why not me? That’s how the journey began.
2. What makes Kannada stand-up comedy unique in today’s scene?
Kannada stand-up is arguably one of the most vibrant regional comedy scenes in India right now. Other languages—Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam—have had their moments, but Kannada is truly booming. The first wave of modern Kannada stand-up started around 2014-15 with groups like LOLAG and independent comics. The second wave came with the 2017-18 internet boom, where comedy collectives emerged. I belong to the third wave—post-pandemic comedians who gained traction during the lockdown.
One unique challenge we face is that Kannada audiences often compare stand-up to other popular comedy formats—movies, TV serials, or reality shows. They come in with expectations set by mainstream media, which means we have to offer something fresh, more intellectual, or at least more curated. People get tired of repetitive jokes on TV; live stand-up has to feel worth the ticket price. That keeps us on our toes.
3. How do you keep your humor relatable yet fresh?
Humor is a way of life. Not everything is funny in the moment, but comedy is often tragedy plus time. When something happens to you, it may not be funny right away, but if you sit with it, mold it, and craft it like clay, it eventually becomes a well-formed joke.
I consume a lot—movies, stand-up, literature—because keeping my mind engaged helps sharpen my comedy. I’ve always been an academic nerd; I love learning the etymology of words and the roots of ideas. That curiosity seeps into my stand-up, making it sometimes nerdy. The key is to keep your blade sharp so that no matter what happens in life, you can turn it into a well-crafted joke.
4. What’s the toughest part of performing live?
The hardest part is making audiences realize that these are jokes. Sometimes, people take statements too literally. They forget that stand-up is about exaggeration, irony, and comic relief.
Another challenge is that stand-up comedy, as an art form, isn’t always taken seriously. People think, Oh, anyone can do this. Maybe they can, but they haven’t. The audience also arrives with huge expectations—especially because they’ve seen free stand-up clips on YouTube. They think, If I’m paying ₹200, it better be better than what’s online. But live performance has a different energy, a different engagement. It’s a mindset shift that’s still evolving.
5. How has social media changed the game for stand-up comedians?
For me, social media was a game-changer. I actually started out as a meme page. I used to make Kannada memes—some for my college, some just for fun—and post them on Instagram. That’s how I gained my first followers.
During the pandemic, I had more time, so I experimented—posting movie reviews, song breakdowns, and even food critiques. Over time, people recognized that I had a knack for humor. So when I officially started stand-up, it wasn’t a surprise to many.
Now, I’m in a strange position. I don’t consider myself an influencer, but I have an audience that follows me like one. More followers mean more ticket sales, but also more scrutiny. A 90-second clip from a 45-minute set can easily be taken out of context, leading to misinterpretations. Social media is a double-edged sword, but I enjoy walking that tightrope.
6. What’s the funniest or weirdest audience reaction you’ve ever had?
I was performing in Mysore recently and asked the audience if anyone had recently been through a breakup. Two women raised their hands but quickly put them down. I playfully asked if they were unsure about their breakup status. They said, We’re not broken up—we’re divorced.
That caught me off guard. Being in my mid-20s, I understand what divorce is, but I haven’t fully grasped its emotional depth. Comedy requires empathy; you need to understand grief before joking about it. So instead of making a joke, I started asking them more about their experience. It turned into an unintentional therapy session! They kept talking, and I had no idea what to do with that moment. I eventually lightened the mood with a silly joke and got back to my set. But that experience stuck with me—it was weird, unexpected, and kind of beautiful in its own way.
7. If you weren’t a comedian, what would you be doing?
I actually have a degree in forensic science, which surprises people because they assume I’m an engineer-turned-comedian. No, I finished my degree, got my certificate, and then made a conscious choice to pursue stand-up.
I sometimes wonder if I should have done my master’s in forensic science or psychology. Some of my batchmates are working in research or forensic jobs, and I occasionally feel a little FOMO. I also grew up loving animals and wanted to be a zoologist at one point. Science has always been my thing, and in some ways, it still influences my stand-up.
But comedy feels right. I like waving this flag.
Bio:
Born on March 23, 2000, Nithin Kamath is a Kannada stand-up comedian known for his sharp wit and relatable humor. With a degree in forensic science, he brings a unique perspective to his comedy, blending observational humor with cultural nuances. Nithin has gained recognition for his performances on Tharle Box, a popular Kannada comedy channel featuring stand-up routines, web series, and sketches. His ability to connect with Kannada-speaking audiences through everyday humor has made him a rising name in the regional comedy scene.
Interviewed by: Impu Rao
Edited by: Shantanu Singh
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