Photo: instagram
He's a former CEO.
By Samantha Maffucci — Written on Feb 05, 2019
With Comedians of the World on Netflix featuring stand-up specials from 47 comics, from all different parts of the globe, viewers have had a chance to experience the unique perspectives of comics who live in different regions of the world. What can we learn from these comedians and their everyday lives? How can we see the world through a different light? In addition to the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK, the series features comedians from non-English-speaking countries, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands, which Netflix provides subtitles for.
Though you won’t need subtitles for the comedy of Atul Khatri, you’ll still find yourself intrigued by this comic. Many of the comedians featured in this series talk about controversial and global topics like sexism, racism, and politics. And Khatri is no different, discussing Indian culture, religion, social issues, and casteism, to name a few. But using black comedy, satire, sarcasm, and observation, he brings things to the next level.
So, just who is Atul Khatri? Here are nine details to know about his life before comedy, how he got his start, and his personal life with his family.
1. He’s from India.
Khatri was born in Mumbai, but his maternal family is from Karachi, Pakistan.
2. He has degrees and certifications.
After high school, he attended the University of Mumbai and obtained a Bachelor of Engineering. He also has a certificate in Business Administration from the Manchester Business School at the University of Manchester in Manchester, England.
3. He had a career before comedy.
Khatri was the Chief Executive Officer for Kaytek Computer Services Private Limited, a family-run computer business. But when he was 43 years old, he made the switch the comedy.
“I was always the funniest in my group, the guy with stories and jokes that could really entertain,” he said. And when he finally began performing full-time, according to him, “that was when I started truly living.”
4. So, he followed his passion.
On his website, Khatri recalls how he transitioned from CEO to comedian:
“I was successfully running my own IT business. It was fun but got monotonous after a point. My wife continuously pushed me saying that I was meant for something more than this. But at that point I didn’t know for sure that it was going to be stand-up comedy. I wanted to try bartending because I could mix drinks well but then I was too lazy to take up the course on Sunday afternoons. Then I thought of taking up DJ but even that didn’t work out.
While I was figuring out what to do with my life, I kept posting jokes on Facebook just as a comic-relief. There, I realised I have a sense of humour which people appreciate. I got positive feedback and a lot of support from family and friends. So I took a New Year resolution and signed up for an ‘open mic’. I still remember that night. My hands were sweating, my legs were shivering and my throat became dry but I managed to win that 4-minute slot. Yay! That experience was so enriching and addictive that after that just went on and on and on. That's how it all started.”
5. And he eventually became a full-time comedian.
Since then, he’s performed at over 400 comedy shows. He gained even more attention after winning the CEO's Got Talent Award by FremantleMedia, and was one of the three finalists at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2012. When he’s not touring, he’s performing at The Comedy Store, the Canvas Laugh Factory, and with East India Comedy.
Khatri is also a YouTube personality and has been rated one of the top Indian comedians, according to CNN-IBN. In 2014, he became the only Indian to perform in the Hong Kong International Comedy Festival.
6. He’s also appeared in commercials.
You may have even seen him on television. He’s been in commercials for Amazon, Muthoot Finance, Rebtel, Aegon Religare Insurance, and Philips.
7. His career in business has helped him in comedy.
“My business was always very competitive and tough... I had to learn patience and humility before clients,” he said. But being able to balance a hectic schedule has served him well, and he’s proclaimed that “time is the currency in businesses today, not dollars or rupees. Comedy, [too], is all about timing. First, there’s the comedic timing you need to get any laughs. And then there’s the timing of the show. If you’re given fifteen minutes for a set, you better make sure you don’t go over.”
8. And he has a lot to say about Indian comedy.
While we may think of Indian comedians as typecast — think: Aziz Ansari and Hasan Minhaj — Khatri thinks that this type of comedy is “very new and funny. We’re not just doing mimicry [or imitation], but are also discussing politics, family, and marriage from our perspective [as Indians, Indian-Americans]. People should come and support Indian stand-up because it’s very new, but has incredible potential. It’s here to stay. It’s only a matter of time…we’re doing a lot of the stuff mainstream comedy fans see on specials; stuff that is definitely as dark and edgy.”
9. He’s a husband and father.
Khatri is married to his wife, Shaguna. The couple has two grown daughters.
Samantha Maffucci is an associate editor for YourTango who focuses on writing trending news and entertainment pieces. In her free time, you can find her obsessing about cats, wine, and all things Vanderpump Rules.