HISTORY OF STAND UP COMEDY

INDIA

Kapil Sharma an Indian stand up comedian, known for comedy nights with Kapil

Ahsaan Qureshi during a visit to Kuwait

In 1986, India's Johnny Lever performed in a charity show called "Hope 86", in front of the whole Hindi film industry as a filler and was loved by audience. His talent was recognised. He started to perform in musical shows (orchestras) Tabassum Hit Parade and after earning fame, joined the group of Kalyanji-Anandji, a legendary music direction duo. Even before joining Hindustan Lever, he was giving stage performances. As because of his growing absenteeisms and since he was earning well from stage shows, he quit HLL in the year 1981. He did a lot of shows and world tours with them, one of his first big tours being with Amitabh Bachchan in 1982.
Raju Srivastav first appeared on the comedy talent show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. He finished as second runner-up and then took part in the spin-off, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge — Champions, in which he won the title of "The King of Comedy". Srivastava was a participant on season 3 of Bigg Boss. He has participated in the comedy show Comedy Ka Maha Muqabla.
Kapil Sharma is ranked no. 3 at the most admired Indian personality list by The Economic Times in 2015. Currently he is hosting the most popular Indian comedy show "Comedy Nights with Kapil".Sharma had been working in the comedy show Hasde Hasande Raho on MH One, until he got his first break in The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, one of the nine reality television shows he has won. He became the winner of the show in 2007 for which he won 10 lakhs as prize money.
Sharma participated in Sony Entertainment Television’s Comedy Circus.He became the winner of all six seasons of "Comedy Circus" he participated in. He has hosted dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Season 6 and also hosted comedy show Chhote Miyan.Sharma also participated in the show Ustaadon Ka Ustaad.
Ahsaan Qureshi was a contestant on the reality television program Bigg Boss (season 2) in 2008. Although he had maintained strategic relationships with his housemates, he was nominated for eviction after two months.
The stand up comedy scene in India is a fecund area where more names are emerging every day. Canvas in Mumbai has offered
a platform to many such comedians, this kind of stand up comedy is in consistent with the art form practiced abroad. Names like Daniel Fernandes, Neville Shah have built up their presence with the help of YouTube videos and are slowly gaining prominence.