‘I’m proud to own the aunty tag’: Zarna Garg on how comedy was a business from the start, built on real moments, and how Indian aunties have kept our culture alive
Published on: Aug. 9, 2025, 11:57 a.m. | Source: The Indian Express
Zarna Garg, a 44-year-old stay-at-home mother of three, began her journey in stand-up comedy in 2019 at the urging of her children. After her husband lost his job in 2021, she fully committed to comedy and is now a successful comedian, award-winning screenwriter, and author. Garg, who recently visited Mumbai as part of a promotional tour for her memoir "This American Woman" and stand-up special "One In A Billion," has a large following for her "culturally universal loudmouthed aunty" persona. Her comedy, which often draws from her personal life and mother-in-law jokes, resonates with a wide audience. Garg challenges stereotypes by proudly embracing her "aunty" tag, recognizing the role Indian aunties play in preserving culture, and by portraying Indian women as funny and multi-faceted. She also wrote the award-winning screenplays "Rearrange" and "A Nice Indian Boy," which further explore Indian family dynamics. Her children are an integral part of her career, helping with content and co-hosting her family podcast.
