From setting her password to “I will do it” to actually doing it, for Akhilee Matta, it has been quite a journey since 2019. We still remember what she rightly said when we covered her Harley-Davidson story, “You just have to decide that you have to achieve your dream; everything else falls in place.”
To her family, she seems like a member known for her witty one-liners, but who would have imagined that after 15 years of corporate life, she would change her current role to Chief Smile Officer on her LinkedIn profile?
Akhilee, a former Corporate Communications professional, has been on the grind for many years. A profession that demands long working hours, endless meetings, and complex communication strategies, with her mind always on the go, she finally decided to change the course of her journey.
“From 9 am stand-up meetings to 9 pm stand-up comedies”, as she says, was what has been nudging her since 2019. While building brands, the one thing that was always on her mind was going to the mics. The only time she found to invest in what her heart desired was weekends and late nights. The final push came from her husband, Gaurav, who she says is like Jambavan to Lord Hanuman, always encouraging her and making her realize that comedy is her calling.
Becoming a senior comic in 2022 and making strangers laugh was not an easy feat. Her earlier gigs, no matter how hard she tried, were not successful. However, Akhilee didn’t give up. Ironically, though she was full of doubts and disappointment herself, a discouraged Akhilee set out on a path to make people laugh, all thanks to her husband.
“He used to observe others and take notes, in a way to coach me”, says Akhilee with pride.
The first signs of encouragement came when she began opening for better-known performers, setting the mood of amusement for the stars. That was that. She became determined to pursue her passion and recently took a break from her corporate life to invest time in stand-up comedy.
Her YouTube video release gave her the boost she needed, much like her first trial. She is now a confident comedian, looking forward to her next performance. The stand-up comedy industry in India, though robust, is still yet to gain maturity. Though live shows are what Akhilee and many like her prefer, online comedy is still a space that is trodden carefully in India.
Stand-up comedy in India is serious business. Hurting sentiments is something comedians are always extremely careful about and, to some extent, weary of. However, for Akhilee, comedy is all about what is happening around her and in her day-to-day life. Although she still has a soft spot for the corporate profession she was a part of, her passion remains comedy. She believes that healthy competition in the former is welcome, but the rat race can sometimes be overwhelming.
However, stand-up comedy is not free from trolls either. Surprisingly, a simple, innocent video to make people laugh may invite unwarranted trolling.
“That’s another face of comedy online, but one should get used to it”, added Akhilee. “Undoubtedly, the art of comedy is a lot of hard work, and the real catalyst for growing in this industry is the live audience reaction more than online comedy”, says Akhilee, adding that social media and technology have also affected the raw comedy that she enjoys herself.
Akhilee also believes that using derogatory or abusive language to make people laugh is not true craft. However, she quickly adds that the audiences also have the freedom to choose what they want to watch and what they don’t. The artists cannot be blamed all the time.
Six years of hard work are finally paying off for this corporate professional-turned-comedian. As a former colleague (name withheld on request) recollects, pleasantly surprised after watching Akhilee’s video, “Akhilee gave that perception of a strict client, and we were all a bit careful when she attended those meetings, but who would have known that she is so chilled out. I think she must be laughing in her head most of the time in those meetings.”
The saying Don’t judge a book by its cover holds true for Akhilee. Her family was initially shocked by her sudden decision, but as they warmed up to her new avatar, they could hardly stop talking about her latest achievement.
Today, as we publish this story, her latest video, Shaadi Ki Pehli Raat, has garnered over 1 million views within two weeks of its release on her YouTube channel. More than this milestone, what delighted her the most and made her eyes moist was the morning call from her dad today, saying, ‘I love you and am proud of you.’ For her, these words mean the world, and she is already on cloud nine.
Akhilee’s plans to continue with her passion and her faith that sometimes it’s okay to not sit in boardrooms but make people laugh at cafes instead are quite an inspiration to all who silently have a passion they want to pursue.
As this boardroom boss turned comedian says, “It’s also okay to fail to know you tried. That’s what is satisfying in the end.”
Needless to say, this interview was more of a laughter show than an interview.
Six years may seem like a long time to some, but for Akhilee, it represents a journey of perseverance, self-discovery, and transformation. These years were not merely a period but a series of moments filled with doubt, growth, and the relentless pursuit of her passion. From the initial struggles of crafting a comic persona to standing on stage and facing live audiences, every performance built her resilience and the courage to face criticism.
What sets her apart is the authenticity she brings to her craft. Each gig over the past six years has tested her ability to connect with diverse audiences and refine her style. Akhilee now proudly stands among India’s emerging comedians, demonstrating that even in an industry with its fair share of ups and downs, consistent effort can pave the way for success.
The LBN team wishes you all the best, Akhilee, and hopefully, one day, we will see you performing with your favorite, Max Amini!