Standup comedian Sravanthi Basa is not your token ‘mom on the mic’. She’s the kind of comic who greets you with a laugh and leaves you with something to think about or flinch at. Her humour doesn’t arrive with warning signs, nor does it cushion the blow. She’s unfiltered, sharp, and operating from a maternal and merciless place. With her Mother’s Day special, Sravanthi reflects on comedy, parenting, viral pressures, and the art of not dumbing it down for anyone, least of all herself.
Have you ever felt the need to tone down or tailor your material because of how women comedians are perceived?
Since the beginning, I’ve had people advise me to avoid dark or “forbidden” topics — as if my gender comes with content restrictions. But I didn’t get into comedy to be told what not to say. If I start watering myself down for someone else’s comfort, I’d lose all respect for my voice. I’ve stuck to my material — whether it made me viral or not — because it’s the most honest thing I can offer.
What’s your pre-show ritual like? Any quirks?
Oh, absolutely. I religiously check my zipper — that’s the first thing. Then I touch up my lipstick. And as I walk onto the stage, I nod my head like I’m saying a tiny prayer. In that moment, I always think, Wow, you people showed up for me. My parents never loved me this much.
What’s something you still want to do with comedy and motherhood that scares or excites you?
I’m head over heels in love with the chaos of it all. Comedy lets me speak from this very strange, layered space of being a mother, where I’m both tired and alive. I’ll never upload it on YouTube — not because I’m scared, but because I don’t want my son watching it and deciding to become a stand-up comedian. That’s the misdirection — I end it by saying, “I don’t need that kind of competition.” That’s how I like to play with motherhood: Take the sentiment, turn it inside out.
What have been some of the most unexpected reactions to your jokes?
Sometimes people walk out. And that’s fine. I’ve realised some folks need a little bit of homework before they come to my shows. If you walk in expecting clean or generic jokes, you’re going to be confused — and maybe a little offended. But if you get me, you get me.
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