Seriously Funny

Natalia Gul Jilani Baghdadi is a dentist by day and a stand-up comedian by night. Currently based in Karachi, Pakistan she tells Bindu Gopal Rao about breaking stereotypes.

Natalia Gul Jilani Baghdadi's Twitter and Instagram profiles read, "I fix teeth. I act. I get paid to crack jokes. Yes I'm that Sindhi girl. A healer.” Say hello to a woman who is handling diverse roles with a rare aplomb that deserves to be applauded.

“As Anjali said in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, "Mujhay bachpan se hi acting aur dancing ka shauq tha!" I have always been that kid who took part in every school play and activity and I would give my mom the stress of making me costumes or buying supplies. But she enjoyed doing that for me. My parents came to every play and have supported everything that I wanted to try.”

Focus was always a virtue that Natalia had. Sample this. “I wanted to become a dentist since I was in the 6th grade because I met one of my dad's friend's daughters who was a dentist. She was so soft spoken and humble. That day I decided I'd go to the same dental school and that is exactly what I did.”