Q. When did you first try stand-up comedy, and what inspired you to start?
Q. How did it feel to have your comedy specials on Netflix and Amazon Prime?
Unreal. I was 25 when I signed my Amazon deal, and I didn’t make any profit because we put everything into production. We shot at the Royal Opera House with eight cameras—it was cinematic.
When it was released, it went to number one. That was the turning point—especially for my parents, who finally took it seriously! Later came Comicstaan and then the Netflix special. I think Kanan Gill and I are the only ones with specials on both platforms. I’m extremely grateful.
Also I felt pressure that I even got physically sick before both tapings. You walk into a venue with 3,000 people, and it hits you—“They’re here for my jokes.” And then you think of YouTube—1 million views, 300 million total views. Your brain just can’t process it. But I wouldn’t trade it. The pressure comes with the privilege of doing what I love. I think the brain just blocks the pressure till it’s over.
Q. Which of your comedy specials is closest to your heart?
My latest one on YouTube. It’s about family dynamics—aging parents, relationship struggles, the messy parts we don’t post online. I questioned whether people would want to hear something so personal. But I followed my heart.
The connection with the audience was deeper than anything I’ve felt before. It wasn’t just about laughs—it was about relatability and vulnerability. That’s why it’s the most special to me.
Q. What advice would you give to young people who want to become performers?
I’d say: take your time. The younger generation is super hardworking, but also in a hurry to go viral. I went viral four years in. That gave me time to fail, learn, and get better. When it happened, I was ready.
So my advice: focus on getting really good at one thing first. Once you’re known for that, you can branch out. Don’t fear mistakes. Embrace the learning curve.
My advice? Be excellent at one thing first. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. And don’t get discouraged in the first few years — those are for finding your voice.
Even I did give up — just one video before it went viral. After years of putting out videos and watching others blow up, I felt defeated. Then I took a trip to New York, met comics who had it even tougher, and realized I had it better than I thought.
I came back and uploaded a Middle Class Restaurant — and it exploded. The rest is history. Sometimes, when you give up, life surprises you.
Q. How do you manage your time between comedy, music, acting, and now, parenting?
I struggle with it every day. I’m a new dad now, so the guilt is real—“Should I be working? Should I be home?” But I chose the freelance life for its freedom.
Whenever I feel unproductive or overwhelmed, I remind myself: “Would you rather be in a 9-5?” And the answer is always no. So I’m learning to be okay with inconsistency. It’s part of the process.
Q. Just for fun—if your life were a comedy movie, who would play you and what would it be called?
I’d love Shah Rukh Khan to play me—but people would probably say that makes no sense! So maybe his son Aryan Khan, just so I can hang out with Shah Rukh. As for the title: Accidental Comic. Because that’s exactly how this journey began.
I never set out to be a comedian. When I began, comedy wasn’t even seen as a career in India. I was doing theatre, performing in bands, and exploring different kinds of stage work. But I vividly remember watching Seinfeld on Star World — it completely opened up my mind to stand-up comedy.
Even then, the idea that someone like me could be a comedian didn’t cross my mind. Back in Bangalore, our shows didn’t even sell tickets — you just had to order a coffee at the venue. We'd show up at a pub, place a mic stand, and start performing. It was raw, messy, and beautiful.
What changed everything was YouTube. Suddenly, we weren’t just entertaining in cafes — we could reach people across India, and even the world. That’s when stand-up started becoming a viable career. I never made a conscious decision to pursue this. I just kept showing up — and things kept falling into place.
Q. Was it easy to get started in stand-up, or did you face major challenges in the early days?
Oh, it was incredibly difficult. Performing arts still struggle for support in India, and back then it was worse. We weren’t taken seriously—comedy shows would get interrupted, lights would go off, mics wouldn’t work. People didn’t even know what stand-up was!
Financially, it was tough too. Most of us had side gigs to survive. And even when we had all the right ingredients—a good venue, paying audience—we still had to teach ourselves how to get better. No one can really teach you stand-up. It’s all trial, error, and faith.
Q. Do you remember your very first stand-up performance?
My first-ever stand-up performance was at age 17 during a college fest at IIT Bombay. I had gone there for a singing competition, but there was a stand-up event on the side. I spoke about my experience at the fest — and I won. That was the hit I needed. From that day, I knew this is what I wanted to do, no matter how.
Q. What was it like performing at international festivals like Moontower and Melbourne?
Performing at international festivals like Moontower in Texas or the Melbourne Comedy Festival has been incredible. And I’ll say this confidently — Indian comedians are some of the best in the world.
Why? Because our struggle is ten times harder. We don’t just battle stage time and finances — we fight societal disapproval, lack of arts education, and no family backing. So when we finally get to a global stage, we come fully prepared, with something to say, and the fire to say it well.
Q. A lot of Indian comedians perform in regional languages overseas. How do audiences respond to that?
It works beautifully. I once met a Telugu playback singer touring the U.S., doing stadium shows in Telugu! That’s when I realized—Indians are everywhere, and they crave content in their own language.
So comedians performing in Hindi? Totally makes sense. There's now a global Indian audience for all kinds of languages and formats. We’ve reached a point where you don’t have to change—you just show up, and your audience finds you.
I don’t even tweak my material much anymore. I used to. But then I realized — people don’t go to an Indian restaurant in New York expecting bland Dal. They want the real thing. So now, when I perform abroad, I give them my authentic Indian experience.
Q. Can you tell us about your role in the series "Die Trying"?
Very eye-opening. I used to think films and shows were purely creative, but they’re heavily business-driven. Everything runs on budgets, timelines, logistics. I was directing, writing, acting—it was exhausting.
I enjoyed writing a show about Bangalore musicians, but I realized I don’t love acting. I like improvising, and on set, you're told exactly what to do. I prefer stand-up because I have full control.
Q. Music is a big part of your identity. How did it become part of your comedy? Do you write your own songs for your shows?
I was in bands before comedy. During gigs, I’d joke between songs—and one day a friend said, “Is this a music show or a comedy show?” That was my cue. I bought a guitar on stage, and people loved it.
Even then, the idea that someone like me could be a comedian didn’t cross my mind. Back in Bangalore, our shows didn’t even sell tickets — you just had to order a coffee at the venue. We'd show up at a pub, place a mic stand, and start performing. It was raw, messy, and beautiful.
What changed everything was YouTube. Suddenly, we weren’t just entertaining in cafes — we could reach people across India, and even the world. That’s when stand-up started becoming a viable career. I never made a conscious decision to pursue this. I just kept showing up — and things kept falling into place.
Q. Was it easy to get started in stand-up, or did you face major challenges in the early days?
Oh, it was incredibly difficult. Performing arts still struggle for support in India, and back then it was worse. We weren’t taken seriously—comedy shows would get interrupted, lights would go off, mics wouldn’t work. People didn’t even know what stand-up was!
Financially, it was tough too. Most of us had side gigs to survive. And even when we had all the right ingredients—a good venue, paying audience—we still had to teach ourselves how to get better. No one can really teach you stand-up. It’s all trial, error, and faith.
Q. Do you remember your very first stand-up performance?
My first-ever stand-up performance was at age 17 during a college fest at IIT Bombay. I had gone there for a singing competition, but there was a stand-up event on the side. I spoke about my experience at the fest — and I won. That was the hit I needed. From that day, I knew this is what I wanted to do, no matter how.
Q. What was it like performing at international festivals like Moontower and Melbourne?
Performing at international festivals like Moontower in Texas or the Melbourne Comedy Festival has been incredible. And I’ll say this confidently — Indian comedians are some of the best in the world.
Why? Because our struggle is ten times harder. We don’t just battle stage time and finances — we fight societal disapproval, lack of arts education, and no family backing. So when we finally get to a global stage, we come fully prepared, with something to say, and the fire to say it well.
Q. A lot of Indian comedians perform in regional languages overseas. How do audiences respond to that?
It works beautifully. I once met a Telugu playback singer touring the U.S., doing stadium shows in Telugu! That’s when I realized—Indians are everywhere, and they crave content in their own language.
So comedians performing in Hindi? Totally makes sense. There's now a global Indian audience for all kinds of languages and formats. We’ve reached a point where you don’t have to change—you just show up, and your audience finds you.
I don’t even tweak my material much anymore. I used to. But then I realized — people don’t go to an Indian restaurant in New York expecting bland Dal. They want the real thing. So now, when I perform abroad, I give them my authentic Indian experience.
Q. Can you tell us about your role in the series "Die Trying"?
Very eye-opening. I used to think films and shows were purely creative, but they’re heavily business-driven. Everything runs on budgets, timelines, logistics. I was directing, writing, acting—it was exhausting.
I enjoyed writing a show about Bangalore musicians, but I realized I don’t love acting. I like improvising, and on set, you're told exactly what to do. I prefer stand-up because I have full control.
Q. Music is a big part of your identity. How did it become part of your comedy? Do you write your own songs for your shows?
I was in bands before comedy. During gigs, I’d joke between songs—and one day a friend said, “Is this a music show or a comedy show?” That was my cue. I bought a guitar on stage, and people loved it.
It became my unique edge. Even as a newcomer, senior comedians would ask me to close shows because music left the audience on a high. Now, my new special is completely musical—something the audience has been asking for.
I’ve always been deeply involved in the creative process, writing my own songs for my shows. For Die Trying, I wrote the lyrics while talented composers like When Chai Met Toast and Nigel Rajaratham crafted the music. In fact, back in college, I even recorded a six-song album. In my comedy performances, I focus on creating funny yet original songs—not parodies—and so far, I’ve written around 15 to 16 songs.
Q. How did it feel to have your comedy specials on Netflix and Amazon Prime?
Unreal. I was 25 when I signed my Amazon deal, and I didn’t make any profit because we put everything into production. We shot at the Royal Opera House with eight cameras—it was cinematic.
When it was released, it went to number one. That was the turning point—especially for my parents, who finally took it seriously! Later came Comicstaan and then the Netflix special. I think Kanan Gill and I are the only ones with specials on both platforms. I’m extremely grateful.
Also I felt pressure that I even got physically sick before both tapings. You walk into a venue with 3,000 people, and it hits you—“They’re here for my jokes.” And then you think of YouTube—1 million views, 300 million total views. Your brain just can’t process it. But I wouldn’t trade it. The pressure comes with the privilege of doing what I love. I think the brain just blocks the pressure till it’s over.
Q. Which of your comedy specials is closest to your heart?
My latest one on YouTube. It’s about family dynamics—aging parents, relationship struggles, the messy parts we don’t post online. I questioned whether people would want to hear something so personal. But I followed my heart.
The connection with the audience was deeper than anything I’ve felt before. It wasn’t just about laughs—it was about relatability and vulnerability. That’s why it’s the most special to me.
Q. What advice would you give to young people who want to become performers?
I’d say: take your time. The younger generation is super hardworking, but also in a hurry to go viral. I went viral four years in. That gave me time to fail, learn, and get better. When it happened, I was ready.
So my advice: focus on getting really good at one thing first. Once you’re known for that, you can branch out. Don’t fear mistakes. Embrace the learning curve.
My advice? Be excellent at one thing first. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. And don’t get discouraged in the first few years — those are for finding your voice.
Even I did give up — just one video before it went viral. After years of putting out videos and watching others blow up, I felt defeated. Then I took a trip to New York, met comics who had it even tougher, and realized I had it better than I thought.
I came back and uploaded a Middle Class Restaurant — and it exploded. The rest is history. Sometimes, when you give up, life surprises you.
Q. How do you manage your time between comedy, music, acting, and now, parenting?
I struggle with it every day. I’m a new dad now, so the guilt is real—“Should I be working? Should I be home?” But I chose the freelance life for its freedom.
Whenever I feel unproductive or overwhelmed, I remind myself: “Would you rather be in a 9-5?” And the answer is always no. So I’m learning to be okay with inconsistency. It’s part of the process.
Q. Just for fun—if your life were a comedy movie, who would play you and what would it be called?
I’d love Shah Rukh Khan to play me—but people would probably say that makes no sense! So maybe his son Aryan Khan, just so I can hang out with Shah Rukh. As for the title: Accidental Comic. Because that’s exactly how this journey began.
As a part of the Professor of Tomfoolery Tour, Kenny will be releasing 5 new comedy special videos over a couple of months, until September. Subscribe and join him on this ride through comedy chaos - YouTube
Bio
The Bangalore-bred and Mumbai-based stand-up comedian, writer, show-runner, musician and improviser, Kenny Sebastian is arguably one of the biggest English comedy acts in the country, creating content fit for both the internet and the stage. His comedy prowess is seen in his Amazon Prime Video special, Don’t be That Guy, along with the sci-fi comedy web series Starboyz on YouTube, and Comedy Central’s The Living Room. He was one of the four improvisers on Amazon Prime Video’s original The Improvisers.
Kenny has also co-written and acted in Sketchy Behaviour (Amazon Prime Video) alongside Kanan Gill. With over 5 million followers online (with 300 million views on his YouTube Channel) and live vlog shows like Chai Time With Kenny, he has created a niche for himself in the space of comedy.
He was one of the judges and mentors on 3 seasons of Comicstaan—Amazon’s most successful unscripted original series in India. After having performed 6 stand-up specials, Kenny’s latest special The Most Interesting Person in the Room aired in May 2020 on Netflix and trended at No. 2 in Netflix India, while also being nominated for a Filmfare for Best Comedy Special, and winning the ET Money Best Comedian award the same year.
In 2021, he was part of the Comedy Premium League, where he was a writer and performer. Kenny has delivered over 500+ shows across the world. His North America, Europe, and Australia stand-up tours alone sold 65,000 tickets over 70+ shows, with over 70,000 tickets+ in domestic sales. He is represented internationally by UTA.
Instagram - kennethseb
Kenny has also co-written and acted in Sketchy Behaviour (Amazon Prime Video) alongside Kanan Gill. With over 5 million followers online (with 300 million views on his YouTube Channel) and live vlog shows like Chai Time With Kenny, he has created a niche for himself in the space of comedy.
He was one of the judges and mentors on 3 seasons of Comicstaan—Amazon’s most successful unscripted original series in India. After having performed 6 stand-up specials, Kenny’s latest special The Most Interesting Person in the Room aired in May 2020 on Netflix and trended at No. 2 in Netflix India, while also being nominated for a Filmfare for Best Comedy Special, and winning the ET Money Best Comedian award the same year.
In 2021, he was part of the Comedy Premium League, where he was a writer and performer. Kenny has delivered over 500+ shows across the world. His North America, Europe, and Australia stand-up tours alone sold 65,000 tickets over 70+ shows, with over 70,000 tickets+ in domestic sales. He is represented internationally by UTA.
Instagram - kennethseb
LinkedIn - kenneth sebastian
Interviewed By Ishika Ahuja
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