Piyush Malhotra is a Calgary-based comedian who got his start in stand-up at The Laugh Shop, where he first tested his observational humour in front of a live audience. Blending personal experiences with everyday absurdities, Piyush delivers boundary-pushing jokes that turn real-life moments into hilarious storytelling. Recently, he placed second at the Third Action Film Festival’s Battle of the Generations competition and continues to build his presence on Instagram and YouTube, where he shares stand-up clips and fresh comedic sketches. Whether on stage or online, he’s always finding new ways to keep audiences laughing.
How would you describe your comedy style?
It’s definitely observational comedy, but I love to dabble with other styles as well. For me, when I get up on stage, it’s like therapy. I feel like it’s a safe space between me and the crowd so that I can talk about anything with them, literally ANYTHING. The crowd is always going to let you know if you’re funny or not, but I don’t hesitate to push the boundaries.
Who are some of your influences?
My biggest influences, honestly, have been the people I observe around me in my daily life. It could be my classmates back in school and college, it could be my parents, close friends or it could also be some random individual I observed in the gym or at work. If I saw you doing something funny or different, congratulations, you just gave me a great joke to write.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
At the time I grew up, stand-up comedy wasn’t very big in India, but I do remember watching Jim Carrey movies with my dad, trying to replicate his physical humour by acting out popular scenes and dialogues. All of his movies are classics, Dumb and Dumber, The Mask, Liar Liar and Ace Ventura, to name a few.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
Bill Burr for sure! To this day, I still put on his “Philly Rant” whenever I’m feeling down. I love his ability for storytelling and making the audience think he is on their side, then doing a complete 180 on that story to deliver a gut punch of laughter. Insanely talented man.
What is your pre-show ritual?
Practising my set over and over again. I never take my notebook with me, and I’ll always be a little anxious right before I’m up on stage (I’m Gen-Z, we all got anxiety), but I love to use those nerves cause the moment I start talking and I get my first laugh, those nerves are gone. Makes me feel like I am back in control of my actions, and my confidence is boosted!
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
The Laugh Shop. It’s an institution. My first ever performance in Calgary was at this venue, and if you can make this room full of 100 people laugh, then you’ve got this; keep at it!
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
Recently performed one of my best sets at Yuk Yuk’s, Calgary, for the Third Action Film Festival, and surprisingly won second place over there! The competition was called “Battle of the Generations”, and I was the leader of the Gen-Z group.
So my bit was about how whenever you go and try to help the boomers, most of them are always angry, if not racist as well. And in one of my previous customer service jobs, I was trying to help this lady with resetting her email and password, and she was hesitant to provide it and was getting rude and abusive. I said, “Listen, grandma, I’m aware that I am Indian, but in this scenario, let me show you how NOT to get scammed online, alright?!”
All the boomers in the crowd loved it and just burst with laughter. Loved that moment!
What is your favourite medium for listening to or finding new comics/comedians?
Instagram and YouTube
Tell us a joke about your city.
I have lived in both Montreal and Calgary, and one day I was comparing nicknames for both of them. Montreal’s got such sexy nicknames, “The City of Saints”, “The Paris of North America”, “The 514”, but Calgary? – “COWTOWN??!!”
Do you have anything to promote right now?
I post my stand-up stuff regularly on my Instagram, and a fresh YouTube channel is in “the works”. Apart from stand-up, I’m also gonna start creating funny reels and sketches soon related to pop culture, keep a lookout. Other than that, my clips will be featured in the Third Action Film Festival in June. 😁
Where can we follow you?
Appreciate all the support, follow me on my Instagram!!
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Austin Ahenakew is another Calgary-based up-and-comer, and he has been killing it in the local comedy scene!
