Stand-up comic Deepak Chandran finds success on Netflix

A techie by day and comic by night, the India-born funnyman got into comedy because he was lonely

- Joanne Soh

Deepak Chandran never dreamed he would become a stand-up comedian, let alone have his comedy show Deepak Chandran: Technically Funny streamed on Netflix Singapore.

The 65-minute stand-up show, released on April 18, earned the 10th spot on Netflix's Top 10 Shows in Singapore list a week after its premiere.

Deepak Chandran: Technically Funny was recorded from the 40-year-old comedian's sell-out show at KC Arts Centre in River Valley on June 28 and 29 in 2024. The show celebrated everyday life in Singapore, from the quirks of taxi uncles to the pride Singaporeans take in Changi Airport, offering a heartfelt and humorous take on local culture.

"I feel very grateful to have my show picked up by Netflix," Chandran tells The Straits Times. "How many people will have the opportunity I had?"

He is the second Singaporean comedian with a show on Netflix. Home-grown comedian Fakkah Fuzz, whose real name is Muhammad Fadzri Abdul Rashid, had his stand-up comedy special Almost Banned listed on Netflix in 2018.

Fuzz's second comedy special, Too Real, was released on the streaming platform in 2023.

Getting Technically Funny on Netflix was a shot in the dark. A producer acquaintance helped pitch Chandran's show to Netflix Singapore. "I was surprised they picked it up immediately," he says.

He credits his growing presence on social media, which helped create awareness of his comedy. Chandran regularly posts clips of his comedy routines for his more than 300,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram combined.