Stand-up comic Sharul Channa is back in Chandigarh, a city she knows well from childhood visits. She believes comedy isn’t a choice—it chooses you. But for women, especially in North India, breaking into the comedy scene is still tough. She notes that apart from Gurleen Pannu, there are hardly any female comics in the local scene.
Originally a theatre artist, Sharul stumbled into stand-up 13 years ago and never looked back. She loves the freedom of writing, directing, and performing without big organizations controlling her. Inspired by legends like Jaspal Bhatti and Johnny Lever, she’s carved out her own comedic space.
While comedy is her main focus, she also tackles serious issues through solo plays. ‘Am I Old?’ sheds light on single women left alone after years of caregiving, and ‘Crazy Poor Sita’ highlights struggles of low-income women in Singapore. She emphasizes that poverty exists there but remains mostly invisible.
Chandigarh’s food still wins her heart, though she jokes about how hard it is to stay thin here. She also notices the city’s obsession with luxury brands, hoping local traditions like Phulkari don’t turn into antiques.
Sharul is proud of her dual identity, celebrating the 60-year friendship between India and Singapore. She admires India’s warmth and Singapore’s efficient multicultural harmony. Performing in Chandigarh feels special, and she’s excited to add some ‘Hinglish tadka’ to her act.
On the Ranveer Allahbadia controversy, she believes every artist makes mistakes. While fame comes with challenges, she stresses the value of empathy. If he’s apologized, she thinks it’s time to forgive and move on. As for her comedy, she avoids joking about sensitive topics unless they’ve personally impacted her.