“I always dreamed of being an entertainer. Society, however, nudged me towards a more conventional path, leading me to work for a software company. It was the sensible choice, they said, a way to support my family and be a dutiful child. Despite this, my heart yearned for something else, and I found myself increasingly drawn to the world of comedy and drama.
My journey began to take shape when I realized that my profession and my passion could coexist, even if they were different. With prior experiences in acting, directing, and stage performances, I decided to dive deeper into my passion. I became a co-writer for the Nalaiya Iyakkunar show in India, where our team made it to the finalists, a significant achievement for us. This experience fueled my desire to pursue writing further.
In 2019, I embarked on a new adventure: Tamil standup comedy. Despite living in the USA, I was determined to perform in Tamil. Opportunities and platforms were limited, but I was resolute. Together with my friend Ananth, I founded ‘Bldg18 Comedy Club’, which is now America’s fastest-growing comedy club. We started small, with just a few participants, but the club grew to over 50 members, all dedicated to standup comedy.
Balancing my 9-5 job with my passion was challenging but rewarding. My wife, my greatest supporter, and my daughter, who inspires me as we make Instagram reels together, have been my pillars of strength. Their encouragement has been invaluable as I pursued my dream of taking Tamil comedy to a global audience.
I have had the privilege of touring with my show in Singapore, Australia, India, and the USA. It was a unique experience, made possible by the support of my parents, family, friends, and even my office. I also had the opportunity to collaborate with leading Tamil comedians from India, a testament to how far my passion had brought me.
Consistency has been key to my journey. For the past five years, we have held open mics every Friday without fail. Even during the lockdown, we adapted and continued our sessions on Zoom, ensuring that the show went on. The open mics are free for the audience, providing a platform for aspiring comedians to showcase their talent.
When you want to pursue your dream: be consistent. Whether it’s your work or your passion, staying committed will eventually lead you to where you want to be.”