Desi Comedy Fest Expands to East Coast with Washington, DC Show

America's biggest South Asian comedy festival brings diverse lineup to Studio Theatre

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Desi Comedy Fest, founded over a decade ago in the Bay Area, is expanding its national footprint with its inaugural East Coast run kicking off on March 21st at Studio Theatre in Washington, DC. The festival, co-produced by Samson Koletkar and Abhay Nadkarni, showcases the talent and perspectives of South Asian comedians, reflecting a growing demand for diverse comedic voices in the American entertainment landscape.

Why it matters

The expansion of Desi Comedy Fest to the East Coast, including shows planned in Boston, New Jersey, and New York City, highlights the significant South Asian populations in these regions and the festival's aim to introduce these diverse voices to a broader audience. As a platform that challenges traditional notions of who gets to tell stories, the festival's success is part of a larger trend of increased representation in American entertainment.

The details

The Washington, DC lineup features a diverse group of South Asian comedians, including Samson Koletkar, the world's only Indian Jewish stand-up comedian, Abhay Nadkarni, who has performed at international festivals like Montreal Just For Laughs, Badar Tareen, a Pakistani-American civil rights attorney and comedian, Kasha Patel, who blends science and humor, Dilan Hettiarachchi, a Sri Lankan-American comedian, and Arko Mazumder, a DC-based comedian of Indian heritage.

  • Desi Comedy Fest was founded over a decade ago in the Bay Area.
  • The Washington, DC show is on Saturday, March 21st, with performances at 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM.

The players

Desi Comedy Fest

America's biggest South Asian comedy festival, showcasing the talent and perspectives of South Asian comedians.

Samson Koletkar

Co-founder and co-producer of Desi Comedy Fest, recognized as the world's only Indian Jewish stand-up comedian.

Abhay Nadkarni

Co-founder and co-producer of Desi Comedy Fest, who has performed at international festivals like Montreal Just For Laughs.

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What they’re saying

“The festival's expansion to the East Coast – with shows also planned in Boston, New Jersey, and New York City – highlights the significant South Asian populations in these regions. This isn't simply about catering to existing communities; it's about introducing these voices to a broader audience.”

— Samson Koletkar, Co-founder, Desi Comedy Fest

What’s next

The Desi Comedy Fest is planning to establish a bi-coastal presence, with events in March on the East Coast and August in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The takeaway

The success of the Desi Comedy Fest demonstrates the growing demand for diverse comedic perspectives in the American entertainment landscape, and the festival's expansion to the East Coast is part of a broader trend of increased representation and the rising influence of diaspora storytelling.