Entertainment Ram Arangi is a boundary-pushing comedian whose sharp, introspective humor blends personal history, cultural critique, and diasporic identity into fearless, resonant storytelling that breaks strong stereotypes abroad about India Earlier this year, 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy made his mark on cricketing history with a maiden century at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. As Harsha Bhogle, the voice of Indian cricket, beautifully put it, “It’s a hundred of great romance, valour, excitement, and emotion.” But it was his next words that truly struck a chord: “From Visakhapatnam to one of the world’s greatest stadiums, the tears and the hard work—they’ve been worth it.” But this isn’t the only story putting Vishakhapatnam on the global map. Ram Arangi’s journey is equally compelling, though in an entirely different arena. Raised in Visakhapatnam, where career paths were mapped out with conventional expectations, Arangi defied norms to pursue a comedy career. A fan of late-night talk shows, he’s now carving a name for himself on the European comedy circuit, blending South Indian cultural quirks, immigrant struggles, and sharp social commentary into his unique performances. When asked whether he’s a “punching up” or “punching down” comedian, Ram reflects that early in his career, his comedy was about punching up—challenging those who expected him to feel inferior. “I was saying, ‘I’m not going to be defined by how I look or sound,’” he explains. But over time, Ram realised everyone has their struggles. Diasporic audiences who throng to his shows relate strongly with how Arangi persistently addresses the elephant in the room. His routine is dotted with uncomfortable subjects—like dealing with immigration authorities, mistaken identities and the mundaneness of being a foreigner. What sets Ram apart from other Indian comics touring Europe, though, is his transparent narration of the Indian experience—which is complicated to say the least. A Small-Town Dreamer with Big-Time Laughs Growing up, Ram was a studious child raised in a South Indian household that valued academics. Comedy in Vizag was limited to Tenali Ramakrishna comics, mimicry acts or fleeting moments in Telugu films. However, Ram’s first exposure to comedy came through a grainy YouTube clip of Conan O’Brien. Watching the quippy banter and razor-sharp wit of late-night television hosts in America, he felt an unfamiliar pull. “I had no idea stand-up was even a thing,” he admits. But something clicked. Arangi with Conan O’Brien. Photo: Courtesy of the artist A scholarship to the University of Oklahoma took Ram to the U.S., where he majored in Sports Management & Entrepreneurship. If America represented the land of opportunity, it also delivered an unexpected reality check. Early encounters with racial microaggressions, particularly around his accent, reframed his perspective. “My father always admired people who spoke with an American accent,” Ram recalls. “But the first time I heard it used against me in a derogatory way, I knew I would never change the way I spoke”. This defiance would later become central to his comedic voice. To Be Young, Gifted and Foreign! After graduation, Ram moved to New York City, where he immersed himself in the stand-up scene, attending shows at the infamous Comedy Cellar almost every night. His first live stand-up experience was watching his idol Bill Burr in Tulsa—an unforgettable night that solidified his passion for the craft. With the foundation of standup comedy education now built, Ram headed towards his next destination. Europe. Shortly after arriving in Spain to pursue his master’s in international business, Ram was robbed at gunpoint—a story he now tells with his signature humor. “I lost my wallet but gained a new personality”. A job at Nike as a supply chain lead brought him to Amsterdam, where he got his next wake-up call: racially charged encounters. From being mistaken for an Uber Eats driver to being accused of shoplifting spices, each of these pushed him closer to the stage. Being felt less than simply because of how he looked made Ram, a lifelong introvert, finally face his fears. His journey towards standup excellence had humble beginnings. But his first set, performed at a park open mic with just a few spectators (and a couple of stray dogs), sparked something within him. Ram quickly realised that his experiences as an outsider resonated with anyone who had ever felt out of place. After cutting his teeth in countless open mics, Ram took a leap of faith. Ram at an open mic in the park. Photo: Courtesy of the artist The Edinburgh Fringe Gamble Despite being a newcomer, Ram took a bold leap and self-produced a show at the prestigious 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival—the world’s largest arts festival. “Everyone told me I wasn’t ready,” he says. “Which was exactly why I knew I had to do it.” His first night had an audience of just three people in a 70-seat cave-like venue. The next day, he hit the streets to hand out flyers and didn’t stop for three weeks straight. By the end of the festival, his show was selling out. According to Ram, “Fringe is a place where people from all different cultures come together. That gave me the self-belief that no matter if I do the show in Mumbai or if I do it in Bratislava, people are people.” Ram Arangi is the boss and the intern of his comedy business. His corporate life instilled in him discipline and a work ethic. “I have spreadsheets,” Ram said, referring to running his comedy enterprise. He takes care of everything, including creating posters, finding venues to perform in, negotiating fees, handling tickets, promoting shows, and shooting and editing content for social media. Ram Arangi at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performing to three people on day 1. Photo: Courtesy of the artist The Influence of Unmet Idols For Ram, comedy is both a craft and a compass. “It was in high school when I realised the weight of being a goody two-shoes. If my friends from then were to watch my standup videos now, they would accuse them of being AI-generated.” In the U.S.,