Urooj Ashfaq

Urooj Ashfaq is a Mumbai-based comedian, writer and actor. She won the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2023.

Early life and education
Ashfaq was born in Dubai, moving to Mumbai at the age of 12. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She went to Jai Hind College, Mumbai.

Career
Ashfaq started performing in stand up comedy in 2016, the age of 21. In interview she has stated that her comedy heroes include "Sarah Silverman, Bridget Christie, Josie Long, Mindy Kaling, Bill Burr, James Acaster, Stewart Lee, Norm Macdonald, [and] Aparna Nancherla."

In 2017 she was a contestant and finalist on the television channel TLC's show Queens of Comedy.

In 2023, she was part of a group of comedians brought to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by London's Soho Theatre. Whilst there, Ashfaq won the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards for her show Oh No!, the first person of South Asian heritage to win since Arj Barker in 1997, and the first India-based artist to ever win the award. The show was Ashfaq's first experience of performing in the UK, with a run at Soho Theatre in London earlier in 2023.

Awards

 * Best Newcomer, Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2023