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 recognized.[10][11] 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".[12] Srivastava was a participant on season 3 of Bigg Boss. He has participated in the comedy show Comedy Ka Maha Muqabla.[13]
Kapil Sharma is ranked no. 3 at the most admired Indian personality list by The Economic Times in 2015. [14] Currently he is hosting the most popular Indian comedy show "Comedy Nights with Kapil".[15] 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.[15]
Sharma participated in Sony Entertainment Television’s Comedy Circus.[16] He became the winner of all six seasons of "Comedy Circus" he participated in.[17] He has hosted dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Season 6[18] and also hosted comedy show Chhote Miyan.[19][20]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.[21]
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.
In stand-up comedy, the feedback of the audience is instant and crucial for the comedian's act. Audiences expect a stand-up comic to provide a steady stream of laughs, and a performer is always under pressure to deliver. Comedic actor Will Ferrell has called stand-up comedy "hard, lonely, and vicious".[3]
While a stand-up comedy show may involve only one comedian, most shows feature a "headline" or a "showcase" format.[citation needed] A headline format typically features an opening act known as a host, compère (UK), or master of ceremonies (MC), who usually warms up the crowd, interacts with the audience members, makes announcements, and introduces the other performers. This is followed by one or two "middle" or "featured" acts, who perform 15- to 20-minute sets, followed by a headliner who performs for longer. The "showcase" format consists of several acts who perform for roughly equal lengths of time, typical in smaller clubs such as the Comedy Cellar, or Jongleurs, or at large events where the billing of several names allows for a larger venue than the individual comedians could draw. A showcase format may still feature an MC.
Many smaller venues hold "open mic" events, where anyone can take the stage and perform for the audience, offering a way for amateur performers to hone their craft and possibly break into the profession, or for established professionals to work on their material.
As the name implies, "stand-up" comedians usually perform their material while standing, though this is not mandatory.