Just For Laughs
Travel+Leisure India|April 2024
A Mumbai-based businessman, Atul Khatri switched the gears of his career at 44 to become a stand-up comedian. Since then, he has performed at many international shows, sending the audience into a laughing fit with his middle-class life anecdotes and jokes surrounding fatherhood. The comedian speaks to Simrran Gill about his sets, dealing with trolls, and the best compliment he has received.
Just For Laughs

Atul Khatri
STAND-UP COMEDIAN

You were a businessman who moved to comedy much later in life. What prompted you to change your career?

I was 44 and the CEO of an IT company. I handled sales, service, and worked continuously. My wife egged me and told me to have more to life than just work. I used to enjoy comedy and in 2011, the comedy [scene] was just starting in India, and I saw a few open mics. It was a new year resolution for 2012; I went for an open mic in February. The thought of going on stage and making people laugh got me hooked. After four years of doing both my job and comedy, I quit my IT job to do full time comedy.

How difficult was it to navigate the challenges of a new career?

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