Vir Das
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Political satire and hot takes carry their own risk, but for Das it’s paying off. With over 100 stand-up comedy shows, 35 plays, 18 films, eight TV shows, and six comedy specials under his belt, Das is now a global comedy sensation. Vir was the first comedian from India to have a stand-up special on Netflix, a noteworthy accomplishment in a field that continues to diversify its talent.
Born in Dehradun, India but raised in Nigeria, Das completed a Bachelor's degree from Knox College in Illinois for Economics with a concentration in performance. Das first began to explore stand-up comedy in college, and received the Richter Scholarship for Theater for his first special. With more formal performance training from the Moscow Arts Theater and Harvard University, Das returned home to make his mark on the Indian comedy circuit.
Das made his Netflix debut in 2017, with comedy special “Abroad Understanding,” which received international acclaim. Reflecting on his rise to fame Das told , “There has never been a better time to be a stand-up comedian in the world. There are more venues, platforms, and tickets being sold. The artform too has evolved. More risks are being taken and more people are listening to our voice.”
He tackles tough topics like migration, gender politics, and religion with ease; truly the sign of a talented and astute performer. Das brings both a global perspective to his comedy, as well as a distinctly Indian voice – filling a much needed gap in comedy.