Urooj Ashfaq is a Mumbai-based comedian, writer and actor. She won the Best Newcomer award at the
Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2023.
Early life and education
Ashfaq was born in
Dubai
Dubai (, ; ar, دبي, translit=Dubayy, , ) is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, the most populated of the 7 emirates of the United Arab Emirates.The Government and Politics of ...
, moving to
Mumbai
Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second- ...
at the age of 12. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She went to
Jai Hind College
Jai Hind College (Marathi: जय हिंद कॉलेज) is an autonomous college in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, affiliated to the University of Mumbai. It was established in 1948.
In 2000, ''India Today'' named Jai Hind College as one ...
, Mumbai.
Career
Ashfaq started performing in stand up comedy in 2016, the age of 21.
In interview she has stated that her comedy heroes include "
Sarah Silverman,
Bridget Christie
Bridget Louise Christie (born 17 August 1971) is an English stand-up comedian, actress and writer. She has written and performed 12 Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows and several comedy tours, in addition to radio and television work. She has rece ...
,
Josie Long
Josie Isabel Long (born 17 April 1982) is a British comedian. She started performing as a stand-up at the age of 14 and won the BBC New Comedy Awards at 17.
In 2006, Long won the If.comeddies Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Festival Frin ...
,
Mindy Kaling
Vera Mindy Chokalingam (born June 24, 1979),Additional archive on June 25, 2015. known professionally as Mindy Kaling (), is an American actress, comedian, screenwriter and producer. She first gained recognition starring as Kelly Kapoor in the N ...
,
Bill Burr,
James Acaster,
Stewart Lee,
Norm Macdonald,
nd Aparna Nancherla."
In 2017 she was a contestant and finalist on the television channel TLC's show ''Queens of Comedy.''
In 2023, she was part of a group of comedians brought to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by London's
Soho Theatre. Whilst there, Ashfaq won the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards for her show ''Oh No!,''
the first person of South Asian heritage to win since
Arj Barker in 1997,
and the first India-based artist to ever win the award. The show was Ashfaq's first experience of performing in the UK, with a run at Soho Theatre in London earlier in 2023.
Awards
* Best Newcomer,
Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2023
References
External links
Urooj Asfaq biography at IMDB
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ashfaq, Urooj
Indian women comedians
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
Jai Hind College alumni