Urooj Ashfaq is a Mumbai-based comedian, writer and actor. She won the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2023.
Urooj Ashfaq | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Comedian |
| Awards | Best Newcomer, Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2023 |
Early life and education edit
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 edit
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 edit
- Best Newcomer, Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2023[15]
References edit
- ^ "Family Jewels: Ep. 10. UROOJ ASHFAQ". 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-05-01.
- ^ "mid-day lunchbox: Talking about the generation". Mid-day. 2018-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ "Ghosts and Periods - Stand Up Comedy by Urooj Ashfaq". YouTube.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Urooj Ashfaq: Watching really good comedy makes me want to do it - EasternEye". 2023-07-19. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Mishra, Vaibhavi (2020-03-30). "New age stand-up comics of India". Media India Group. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ Bennett, Steve. "Urooj Ashfaq: Oh No! : Reviews 2023 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ "Soho Theatre India". Soho Theatre. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ Premier. "1997 Winner - Arj Barker - Best Newcomer". Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ Wilson, Rebekah (2023-08-29). "Urooj Ashfaq wins Best Newcomer at Edinburgh Comedy Awards". Soho Theatre. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Women, Funny (2023-08-26). "Edinburgh Award Winners 2023: Urooj Ashfaq and Ahir Shah". Funny Women. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ Premier. "Best Newcomers 1992 - 2023". Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Retrieved 2023-08-30.