Urooj Ashfaq

Urooj Ashfaq
OccupationComedian
AwardsBest Newcomer, Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2023

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, moving to Mumbai at the age of 12.[1] She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.[2] She went to Jai Hind College, Mumbai.[3]

Career

Ashfaq started performing in stand up comedy in 2016, the age of 21.[4][5] In interview she has stated that her comedy heroes include "Sarah Silverman, Bridget Christie, Josie Long, Mindy Kaling, Bill Burr, James Acaster, Stewart Lee, Norm Macdonald, [and] Aparna Nancherla."[6]

In 2017 she was a contestant and finalist on the television channel TLC's show Queens of Comedy.[7][8]

In 2023, she was part of a group of comedians brought to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by London's Soho Theatre.[9][10] Whilst there, Ashfaq won the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards for her show Oh No!,[5] the first person of South Asian heritage to win since Arj Barker in 1997,[11][4] and the first India-based artist to ever win the award.[12] The show was Ashfaq's first experience of performing in the UK, with a run at Soho Theatre in London earlier in 2023.[13][14]

Awards

References

  1. ^ "Family Jewels: Ep. 10. UROOJ ASHFAQ". 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
  2. ^ "mid-day lunchbox: Talking about the generation". Mid-day. 2018-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  3. ^ "Ghosts and Periods - Stand Up Comedy by Urooj Ashfaq". YouTube.
  4. ^ a b Cristi, A. A. "Urooj Ashfaq, First India-Based Comedian In Edinburgh Comedy Awards History, Wins Best Newcomer Award". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  5. ^ a b Ryan, Anya (2023-08-29). "'I need to have a big party and show off!' Edinburgh comedy award-winners reveal what's next". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  6. ^ "Urooj Ashfaq: Watching really good comedy makes me want to do it - EasternEye". 2023-07-19. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  7. ^ "Queens of Comedy review: TLC's new show is a milestone in comedy of, by and for women". Firstpost. 2017-09-30. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  8. ^ Mishra, Vaibhavi (2020-03-30). "New age stand-up comics of India". Media India Group. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  9. ^ Bennett, Steve. "Urooj Ashfaq: Oh No! : Reviews 2023 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  10. ^ "Soho Theatre India". Soho Theatre. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  11. ^ Premier. "1997 Winner - Arj Barker - Best Newcomer". Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  12. ^ Wilson, Rebekah (2023-08-29). "Urooj Ashfaq wins Best Newcomer at Edinburgh Comedy Awards". Soho Theatre. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  13. ^ Ferguson, Brian (26 August 2023). "British-Asian stand-up Ahir Shah wins main Edinburgh Comedy Awards prize at the Fringe - Indian comic Urooj Ashfaq wins best newcomer honour". The Scotsman. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  14. ^ Women, Funny (2023-08-26). "Edinburgh Award Winners 2023: Urooj Ashfaq and Ahir Shah". Funny Women. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
  15. ^ Premier. "Best Newcomers 1992 - 2023". Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Retrieved 2023-08-30.