In this episode of the Level Asian Podcast, we're joined by Neel Kolhatkar, a comedian, filmmaker, and Youtube sensation, well known for his viral comedy sketches and stand up routines.
Neel talks about his childhood in Sydney, what captivated him into pursuing comedy at a young age, and how he turned his online success into a full-time career.
He also shares his thoughts on navigating PC and cancel culture, emphasising the importance of diversifying his skills and attracting dedicated audiences, and shares encouraging advice for aspiring comedians looking to break into the industry.
00:00 - Intro
02:45 - Neel's Thoughts on Lockout Laws & Change In NightLife
03:55 - Learning About Neel's Backstory
05:56 - Neel's Childhood Upbringing & Discovering His Love for Comedy
09:16 - Life After High School & Pursuing Comedy Professionally
11:09 - The Influences Behind Neel's Comedic Acts
12:58 - Adapting From YouTube to Stand-Up Shows
14:20 - Neel on Leveraging His Audience from YouTube & His Experience Sharing the Space with "Traditional" Stand-Up Comedians
19:04 - Navigating Around Society's "Cancel Culture" with Comedy
22:50 - Recreating & Restructuring Comedic Material to Suit the PC Culture
24:54 - Does Neel's Background Give Him the Advantage to Make Racial Jokes?
28:15 - Neel on Creating a Business Out of His Personal Brand
30:23 - Sponsorship SW
30:37 - Advice on Pursuing the Creative Lifestyle
33:54 - Navigating New Ways to Be Creative & Avoiding Burnout
36:32 - Is Neel More of an Introvert or Extrovert?
38:03 - Neel's Experience Breaking into the Acting Scene
42:15 - Key Takeaways From Diving into The Podcast Scene & Working With Eliza on the Sexcells Podcast
48:07 - Neel's Plans for the Future
49:44 - Words of Advice for Those Wanting to Pursue The Arts Industry
51:40 - Neel's on the Current Climate in the Comedy Scene
54:50 - Outro
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