Comedian Manjeet Sarkar on caste system and comedy

Manjeet Sarkar is an internationally acclaimed comedian and filmmaker featured in The Guardian, Christian Science Monitor, The Print, and more. The first Indian comedian to perform at the United Nations, he was named the 'Next Big Thing' by Deadant Comedy Awards in 2024. Having completed six national tours in India, he is currently on a world tour.

Connect with Manjeet:

📖 Video Chapters
0:00 – Highlight Reel (Key Moments)
0:41 – Mike’s Introduction
1:05 – Weather Talk & First Impressions of Canada
2:01 – Comparing Vancouver & Toronto
3:02 – Beginning the Caste System Discussion
5:00 – Historic Oppression of Dalits
6:00 – “Can’t You Just Move Away?”: Name & Identity Issues
8:04 – Power Structures & Media Representation
9:16 – Privilege & Upper-Caste Diaspora
10:18 – “Two Indias”: Rich vs. The Other 80%
11:50 – Social Media Stereotypes & Indian Street Scenes
13:50 – Extreme Contrast: Luxury Hotels Beside Slums
15:00 – Manjeet’s Invitation to Perform at the UN
18:50 – Earning Respect from Veteran Comedians
20:45 – The High Cost of Doing Comedy in India
21:35 – Overcoming Inferiority: Comedy as Empowerment
23:52 – Embracing Bold Confidence Over Feeling “Less Than”
25:45 – First Open Mic: 300km Road Trip & Bombing
28:00 – Advice for Aspiring Comics: Practice on Stage
30:00 – The 6-Year Journey to Finding Your “Voice”
32:40 – Drunken Revelation: Embracing True Stories Onstage
34:30 – Owning One’s Upbringing & Identity in Comedy
36:00 – Comedic Influences: Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr & Doug Stanhope
39:01 – Why Doug Stanhope Kept Manjeet in Comedy
41:30 – Toronto’s Diverse Yet Tricky Comedy Scene
43:40 – Pushing Through When Comedy Seems Unsustainable
45:50 – That Onstage “High” & Dopamine Rush
47:00 – Awkward Silences, Uncomfortable Truths
48:10 – Making Upper-Caste Audiences Squirm
50:18 – “Savarna Guilt” & Copying Western Wokeness
53:30 – Intersectionality vs. Real Activism
55:00 – Does Cancel Culture Exist in India?
58:40 – Twitter Fury Over a “Taboo” Joke
1:02:00 – Facing Attacks from Both Left & Right
1:04:00 – More Online Hate & “Pseudo-Feminism”
1:08:00 – Balancing Identity vs. Comedy Agenda
1:10:00 – Imagining a Post-Caste Future
1:12:20 – Favorite Indian Films (Satyajit Ray)
1:14:00 – Outro & Social Links

[unarthshastra]

I feel proud and happy to my heart's fullest to see my brother to be the voice of us.

[Indimove]

watching Manjeet is watching real India.

[Ghdetcddh]

Upper caste left and upper caste right. Well said Manjeet.

[adityask]

What a great conversation guys...Didn't know much about Manjeet's struggle...Love u bro...Thanks to brother for having him on your podcast...The level of questions he asked shows how carefully he was listening to Manjeet...Love u guys💖

[Abinayasmile]

One of the best, real, unfiltered and humane podcast talks. He spoke real and he spoke irrespective of eyeballs and 'against minds'. I wish I meet people like him in my real life. My human for life, and we learn and experience life without fear.

[deepaksagar]

I love his comedy. Thanks for your work

[HometabB-qu]

Keep it up Manjeet bhaiya! Lots of love 💓

[thisisit]

I disagree with the color thing, there arent much genetic differences, caste is ust a social group.

[tulikarao]

In this entire podcast, there are only and only people from lower castes. Till now not even a single Brahmin has come and supported it. And neither will they do all this nor will they share this reel on their account. But now it doesn't matter to me. How can someone move ahead even after doing something wrong and become the owner of all the privileges, you can learn that only in India and that too from Brahmins and upper caste people. I am feeling very proud that Manjeet you have come here and people from outside are listening to you. Lots of love #Nameless light ❤

[cute-curry]

Man u guys should learn hindi, he is super funny, u are Missing out. Best comedian ever

[SheetalBelagali]

7:06 That's the only way to deal with the absurdity. Beyond a certain level of hurt, you can't help but try to find humour in it. Otherwise, navigating through life becomes incredibly difficult.

[shilpamankar]

Hi manjeet, where can I see ur UN performance? Please help about it.dying to watch.proud of my dalit brother ❤

[jupe]

This is so disingenuous it is not even funny. The reason your caste is mentioned on your admit cardis because at least 50% of all jobs and college seats are reserved for disadvantaged castes. The entire purpose of mentioning their caste is to benefit them in the first place.
Also if he did not want to mention his caste take advantage of the quota then he also has an option to let go of it and apply through the general category.

It should also be clarified that caste is never mentioned on any government document, except for the caste certificate. Only category is mentioned. So no one will be able to guess your caste just by reading your category.