Earning laughs, one city at a time

In a candid conversation with CE, Rajat Chauhan talks about his journey, Hyderabad, challenges and more

- DARSHITA JAIN

It’s not every day that you meet someone like Rajat Chauhan, a stand-up comedian whose journey from nervous open-mic nights to packed shows across the country is as inspiring as it is entertaining. But Rajat will be the first to tell you that the road to comedy stardom is anything but easy.

“I remember my first open mic in Mumbai, I was very nervous. The slot was for four minutes, but it felt like an eternity. And then, when a joke didn’t land as I wanted it to — the silence was brutal. It hits you like a wave, and you feel every second stretch on forever,” he begins, and a nostalgic smile lights up his face.

Yet, even in those early days, Rajat found a glimmer of encouragement. “The Mumbai crowd is amazing. Even if you’re struggling, they’ll clap and cheer, just to keep your spirits up. That support made all the difference for me,” the comedian further adds.