Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Rahul Subramanian and his joke-fuelled journey

Indian stand-up star gets ready to take this year's Edinburgh Fringe by storm

Rahul Subramanian and his joke-fuelled journey

A TIDAL wave of Indian stand-up comedians taking the Edinburgh Fringe by storm has led to excitement about performers at this year’s festival, which runs throughout August.

One of those top talents is Mumbai-based funny man Rahul Subramanian, who follows up successful runs in London with his Fringe debut at Assembly George Square in Edinburgh from July 31 to August 25.


He will deliver his action-packed show, Who Are You?, which has his trademark satirical observations about life and laughter-filled journey of self-discovery.

Eastern Eye spoke to one of India’s finest comedic talents about his stand-up journey, fabulous-looking Fringe debut, influences and stage fright.

What first connected you to stand-up comedy?

My first time attending live stand-up comedy was in Mumbai, after which I distinctly remember feeling, “This is so awesome and so easy”. Only for me to realise – a year later – it is not at all easy and awesome, every one out of eight days.

What has been your most memorable performance?

I was part of the MICF Roadshow, in Hong Kong and Singapore in 2018. This was the first time I was performing to an audience with not a single Indian in it. I was nervous about how they would receive my jokes – will they find them funny, or even understand my accent? They laughed the moment I said “hello”. The best show ever.

Who have been your biggest comedy influences?

‘Life’ sounds too cliché, so I won’t say that. I don’t think I have been influenced by anyone as such, but comedians I have enjoyed watching are Brian Regan and Todd Barry.

How much are you looking forward to performing at the Edinburgh Fringe?

Extremely nervous, plus extremely excited equals I can’t wait to get there.

Tell us about the show that you will be presenting there.

The show is called Who Are You? It is about the journey of my life from doing engineering, then an MBA, and finally becoming a stand-up comedian, and the struggles that came with it. By the end of the show, not just me, but the audience will also realise that there was no point of naming this show Who Are You?

How much confidence does it give you when several Indian stand-up comedians have done brilliantly at the Edinburgh Fringe?

It is lovely to know that my friends have not only performed at the Fringe, but have also got rave reviews for their shows. And considering many of them will be there this time, it feels great. I will have enough shoulders to cry on in case I bomb.

Do you know if a joke will work before you go on stage?

There are some jokes I know will definitely work even before I have tried them on stage. These are very good to have. But there are certain jokes which I am unsure of. I will know only when I try them on stage. Surprisingly, these unsure ones are the ones that kill the hardest if they work (or bomb the hardest, if they don’t work).

Do you get nervous before going on stage?

I haven’t gotten nervous for a long time, but that is also mostly because I have been playing to my audience - ones who come because they want to specifically watch me. They are way more generous and kinder than a completely new audience (such as at the Fringe). So, my guess is, even though it’s been a long time since I have been nervous on stage, I might be during the first few minutes at the Fringe.

Has being funny got you out of trouble in real life?

Oh, yes! I have a whole set about it in my show. It’s about the time I got death threats for the jokes I did from (wait for it), DJs.

What is the comedy master plan going forward?

The three-step serial process is ‘don’t get too popular’, so that you can ‘avoid getting threats’, so that you can, ‘keep going on stage’.

Why should we all come watch your Edinburgh Fringe show?

If a chance to see someone from Mumbai - who graduated as an engineer and did an MBA - only to become a stand-up comedian and got threats for his jokes is not compelling enough, then I don’t know what else will be. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Rahul Subramanian: Who Are You? at Assembly George Square, Edinburgh from July 31-August 25. www.assemblyfestival.com & www.sohotheatre.com

More For You

Bella Hadid

Bella Hadid shares emotional hospital photos amid ongoing health battle

Instagram/bellahadid/Getty Images

Bella Hadid’s haunting hospital post ignites fears of a hidden Lyme disease battle she can’t escape

Highlights

  • Bella Hadid shared worrying images from a hospital bed on Instagram.
  • The model apologised to fans for her frequent social media disappearances.
  • Sister Gigi and mother Yolanda offered public messages of love and strength.
  • The post has sparked fresh concern about a potential relapse of her chronic Lyme disease.

Bella Hadid has sparked major concern among her fans after posting a series of raw and emotional pictures from what appears to be a hospital room. The supermodel, known for her high-profile fashion work, shared a cryptic apology for her absence, directly linking it to an ongoing health struggle. The post has prompted serious conversation about the severity of her long-term Lyme disease diagnosis and the hidden realities of living with a chronic illness.

Bella Hadid Bella Hadid shares emotional hospital photos amid ongoing health battle Instagram/bellahadid/Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Post Malone

Post Malone picks Guwahati for his first India concert

Getty Images

Post Malone confirms India concert in Guwahati for historic solo show

Highlights

  • The Grammy-nominated artist will perform his first-ever solo headline show in India on 8 December.
  • The concert will be held at the Khanapara Veterinary Ground in Guwahati, Assam.
  • Tickets for the highly anticipated event go on sale on 20 September via BookMyShow.
  • The Assam government is backing the event to boost concert tourism in the Northeast.

Post Malone is finally giving his Indian fans a full headline show, and he is picking a surprising location for it. The icon will play his first-ever solo concert in the country on 8 December at the Khanapara Veterinary Ground in Guwahati. This Post Malone India concert is a huge coup for the Northeast region and signals a major shift in where international artists are choosing to perform. The event is a key part of the state's new push to become a live entertainment destination.

Post Malone Post Malone picks Guwahati for his first India concert Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor

Varun Dhawan interrupts Janhvi’s AI deepfake comments with a lighthearted quip

Getty Images

Varun Dhawan mocked for interrupting Janhvi Kapoor as she exposed AI deepfake risks during film promotions

Highlights:

  • Janhvi Kapoor spoke about the serious issue of AI morphed images at a trailer launch.
  • Varun Dhawan interrupted her with a joke about their new film.
  • A clip of the exchange sparked anger among social media users.
  • Many criticised Varun for being disrespectful and dismissive of a genuine concern.

A serious conversation about artificial intelligence took an awkward turn at the Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari trailer launch. Janhvi Kapoor was discussing the alarming rise of non-consensual AI morphed images when her co-star, Varun Dhawan, cut her off with a light hearted quip. The moment, captured on video, has since caused a firestorm on social media, with fans criticising Varun for his timing and lack of sensitivity on the pressing issue of digital safety.

Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor Varun Dhawan interrupts Janhvi’s AI deepfake comments with a lighthearted quip Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Gavin Casalegno, Lola Tung and Christopher Briney

Gavin Casalegno, Lola Tung and Christopher Briney attend the "L'Ete Où Je Suis Devenue Jolie" - The Summer I Turned Pretty" - Season Three

Getty Images

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' movie confirmed as Jenny Han promises final chapter will settle Belly’s love triangle once and for all

Highlights:

  • Prime Video confirms a feature film will conclude the beloved series.
  • Creator Jenny Han will write and direct the final instalment.
  • The announcement came hot on the heels of the season three finale.
  • The series has become a global sensation for the streaming service.

Fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty can breathe a sigh of relief as the story is not over yet. Prime Video has announced that a feature film will serve as the definitive conclusion to the global hit series. The news, confirming the The Summer I Turned Pretty movie, broke during the show’s finale celebration in Paris, promising to deliver one last trip to Cousins Beach for fans obsessed with the Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah love triangle.

Gavin Casalegno, Lola Tung and Christopher Briney Gavin Casalegno, Lola Tung and Christopher Briney attend the "L'Ete Où Je Suis Devenue Jolie" - The Summer I Turned Pretty" - Season Three Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Sydney Sweeney

Filming is tentatively planned for early 2026

Getty Images

Sydney Sweeney offered £45m to star in big-budget Bollywood film

Highlights:

  • Sydney Sweeney reportedly offered £45m for a leading role in a major Bollywood film
  • The package includes £35m in fees and £10M in sponsorship deals
  • Filming is tentatively planned for early 2026 across New York, Paris, London, and Dubai
  • The project could make Sweeney one of the highest-paid Hollywood stars to join Indian cinema

A record-breaking offer

Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney has reportedly been approached with a staggering £45M deal to star in one of the most expensive Bollywood films ever produced.

The 28-year-old Euphoria and The White Lotus star is said to have been offered £35m in fees plus an additional £10m through sponsorship agreements.

Keep ReadingShow less