Sharul Channa and Rishi Budhrani aren’t just a comedy power couple—they are an unstoppable force in Singapore’s entertainment scene. From Bollywood dance rehearsals to founding a business together, and eventually dominating the stand-up scene, their journey is a remarkable blend of love, laughter and perseverance. As they celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary with their third joint show in the last decade, the couple reflects on their 18 years together, the milestones they have achieved and the creative chemistry that keeps their careers thriving. In this exclusive interview with Top 10 of Asia, they share the story behind their success, and offer real-world advice for aspiring comedians.
1. To start, could you share with us how the two of you first met?
Sharul: Rishi and I were both in a Bollywood dance troupe while in university. We did this part-time as work to earn extra pocket money. 3 years after knowing each other, Rishi asked me out on a date, and 18 years later, we are doing one of the biggest shows we have ever done together!
2. Before becoming the comedy power couple we know today, what were your careers and lives like?
Rishi: Well, Sharul was trained in acting at Lasalle College of the Arts, under Performance Art (Acting), while I was in Nanyang Technological University (NTU) under Bachelor’s in Communication Studies from Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. Both of us actually started a business together called Complete Communicators when we graduated. During those initial years with Complete Communicators, we hosted numerous weddings, as well as planned and performed at various events. This eventually led to us branching out into our stand-up careers.
3. What inspired the both of you to be involved in the comedy scene?
Rishi: When we jumped onto stage, apart from the iconic Kumar, live stand-up comedy was a very expat-driven industry. It was a case of visiting comedians from USA, UK, Australia, coming in to perform for the expat community and a minority of Singaporeans. So, there was a real dearth of and desire for Asian and local voices who could touch on those topics, and draw a different audience out to shows. We just happened to be around during this revolutionary wave of comedy and are grateful for it.
4. As a married comedy duo, how do you navigate blending your distinct creative styles while maintaining a strong partnership? What is the secret to keeping it fresh and successful both on and off stage?
Sharul: We both decided very early on in our careers, that we are two different products on the same isle. If Rishi is the durian, then I am the mango. Hence, we both have very different career trajectories but still support each other in our journeys. I believe the important factor is to find joy in each other’s success as well as stand by each other silently during failures. This is truly the key to keeping it a success, both on and off stage.
5. How do you both keep the creative juices flowing, especially when you are feeling creatively drained or uninspired?
Sharul: The best way is to take a quick break and involve yourself in other activities that will relax your mind, like reading, working out, dancing or meditating. The space given by the art itself helps your mind give it a new perspective once you are back.
6. You both have such a strong presence in the Singapore comedy scene. How important do you think location is when it comes to establishing a comedy career, and how does being based in Singapore influence your style?
Rishi: I think we were very fortunate to cut our teeth performing in Singapore in our formative years because it has audience that is educated, a good mix of locals and visitors who are well-versed with global issues and, once they loosen up, truly love a good joke.
Sharul: Having said that, I also think that Singapore is a comfortable bubble and it’s very important to stretch your horizons overseas by travelling to do stand-up and representing Singapore on the comedy world stage. I myself have been travelling to India every 3 months for the past 3 years to make a mark in that comedy scene. Similarly, Rishi has also travelled to the US to do shows, and together we have performed all over Asia (India, Malaysia, Philippines, Nepal, Indonesia) in the recent past.
7. Both of you have accomplished so much individually and together. What would you say are a few of your proudest professional milestones so far?
Sharul: Rishi and I are really proud to be in on this stand-up journey together. Despite the world being polarised, I am glad that we are still pushing boundaries and uniting people through laughter across the globe.
8. Comedy can be a tough industry to break into. What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?
Rishi: Like with any country, understanding your medium of where you’re doing comedy is crucial. And, censorship does come into play. Learning about how live stand-up comedy is different from doing a TV spot in Singapore, for instance, was an important learning curve. Also, having healthy conversations about these boundaries with the authorities is something we’ve continued to strive to do, so that comedy can continue to thrive and the audience can continue to have a good time.
9. Looking ahead, are there any projects or goals that you have yet to pursue but are excited to explore in the future?
Rishi: Sharul and I are really excited about putting Singapore on the comedy world map and making it big. We want to let people know Singapore is not only famous for Marina Bay Sands, its strict laws and trade, but that Singaporeans also know how to take a joke on themselves and others.
10. Finally, for those looking to enter the comedy scene, what advice would you offer to help them navigate the industry successfully?
Sharul: Don’t listen to just anybody’s advice. Keep jumping up on stage every week to try new material. It’s always about getting the first laugh and that gets you hooked.