Aanchal Agrawal On How She Turns Middle-Class Relatability Into Satire

Aanchal Agrawal recently posted an Instagram video from her 'Baniya-verse', sharing her raw and hilarious observations on 'aesthetics in a Baniya home.' The endless chatter of 'payment kab ayega, yaar?', the bucket and mug in an otherwise luxurious bathroom, and the chitkabri-printed cushion covers, all coming together to paint a chaotic portrait of a middle-class home. If you grew up in a household where old achaar jars are turned into chai patti containers or where the “good” crockery only came out for guests, Aanchal's content will make you feel seen.

With her trademark heart-to-heart-style delivery and razor-sharp eye for detail, Aanchal has created a niche in the digital comedy space that resonates with thousands of Indians. What sets this Mumbai-based comedienne and entrepreneur apart is her ability to find humour in those blink-and-miss moments that most of us have lived through, but never paused to have a laugh at. 

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A post shared by Aanchal Agrawal (@awwwnchal)

Take Aanchal's 'Ameer Kaise Lage' series for example, where she playfully riffs on 'how to look rich'. "Wear a light-coloured night suit so you look like you don't fear stains," she jokes in one video. "Don't use old baniyans as mops," she adds in another, with that stern mother-like expression. It's satire, yes, but with a familiarity that makes her content feel like home.

Aanchal spoke to SheThePeople about her background and upbringing, which strongly influence her relatable content. "I had pretty much the same life as any 90s kid—strict mother, chill father, and an elder brother. My family is really into comedy, and growing up, I think having fun and cracking jokes was a defence mechanism to deal with the problems of a growing family," she recounted.

Aanchal Agrawal in conversation with SheThePeople

Aanchal grew up in Indore as the youngest of all her cousins. Her early days were spent playing badminton, representing her school and university at the state level. "I did not really have any friends growing up," she admits. "I think my first real friendship was formed when I was in 10th class, so most of my time went into playing badminton." This discipline and focus that she honed on the court now translates into her comedic craft.

She attended New York University before turning to full-time comedy. "I always knew I wanted to do something different, so when all of my friends were preparing for IITs, I chose commerce, and I had a lot of fun in college... I have always been a prankster, and I guess that flair of having fun translated into becoming a comedian, and an absolute privilege if you ask me."

Growing up in a middle-class setting, entering the comedy scene was anything but conventional. While Aanchal's family played a huge part in finding her calling, she admits that they were not immediately convinced when she decided to pursue it seriously. "I think it was a natural fear to have since no one in my family had ever been in the industry, especially as the youngest daughter."

"Initially, everyone thought it was just a phase. They were always supportive, but they just didn’t understand the rules of this game. What they wanted was for me to not depend on anyone, but as time passed and I found my place, recognition and money, they understood."

Making it big

While Aanchal's observational millennial comedy has struck a chord with countless audiences, she believes her niche is ever-evolving. "I’m still discovering what I really like to do, and what I can do well. But for now, I like to tell stories as they occur to me, especially from a point of view of being a woman who grew up in the orthodox conditioning of the 90s," she detailed.

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A post shared by Aanchal Agrawal (@awwwnchal)

Aanchal's 'secret sauce' to content that clicks is to be true to herself. "The idea is to keep posting what feels authentic to you, and eventually something works or you find your style. It’s just data, I think. The more you create, the more you get to know what clicks with the audience, and you understand what you enjoy making as well," she revealed.

Women in comedy

With over 800K followers on Instagram, Aanchal's content has found a comfortable space in the homes of many Indians. But with visibility comes vulnerability, and Aanchal is no stranger to the challenges of being in the spotlight. As an Indian woman in a male-dominated field like comedy, she deals with more than just creative or internal pressures.

"I think the biases I have faced are similar to what we face as women in general, outside of our careers, too. Like having less space to experiment or more pressure to perform at your absolute best. If you fail even once, you are termed 'not good enough' or 'women aren’t funny.' Opportunities for women are seen as a charity, and we have to prove we're better than everyone else, or it gets taken away not only from us but from many more women."

Aanchal also believes that biases are particularly heightened on social media. "Human behaviour doesn’t change just because the medium of engagement has changed. It amplifies on the internet because it gives you a shield to hide behind the screen. It’s 2025, and it’s still challenging for women to have their own space."

Aanchal uses her platform to tap into the deeper themes of class divide, gender roles, and societal expectations in India. And she does it with humour. "I talk about things I have an opinion about, and my humour is naturally satirical, I have been told. I understand that having an influence brings in some responsibility, so I try to use my voice for what I think affects me and women at large."

Three years ago, Aanchal and her best friend, Poorna Majumdar, co-founded All Women INC, a networking space for women. "I think it's tough for many women to fight biases and get a chance to have a career. The idea of our platform is to provide them with exposure and resources to become and be independent," she shared. "I am figuring out the best way to invest my time and money in it; my heart is in the right place, and I know I’ll create something impactful."

Looking ahead

In an industry marked by fleeting fads and stereotypical tropes, Aanchal Agrawal is carving out a lasting place with her genuineness and a deep consciousness of the world she grew up in. Whether she’s making light of middle-class quirks, confronting gender biases, or building supportive ecosystems for women, her voice remains refreshingly grounded and unapologetically original.

From modest beginnings in Indore to making waves globally, Aanchal's story of rebellion and determination is powerful and deeply resonant for many of her young fans. As she continues to grow her platform, she shares a message for her little self. "Keep going, girl! Don’t let anyone sway you away from what your heart says, you know what’s right for you."