Biography of Harsh Gujral: In the vibrant world of Indian comedy, a former database engineer from the streets of Kanpur has risen to become a household name, celebrated for his razor-sharp observational humor and unmatched spontaneous “crowd work.”
Known affectionately by fans as the “Sasta Vicky Kaushal” due to his striking resemblance to the Bollywood actor, this artist has redefined live performance by making the audience a central character in his shows.
Biography of Harsh Gujral: His performances thrive on real-time audience interaction, social observations, and desi family dynamics, making him one of the most talked-about live performers of his generation.
Only after years of grinding the comedy circuit did Harsh Gujral emerge as a nationally recognized name.
Personal Overview
| Full Name | Harshdeep Gujral |
| Other Name (Nickname) | Sasta Vicky Kaushal |
| Place of Birth | Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Date of Birth | 17 September, 1993 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 33 Years |
| Profession | Stand-up Comedian, YouTuber |
| Height | 6 ft (183 cm) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Father | B. L. Gujral |
| Mother | Savita Gujral |
| Sisters | Pooja Gujral, Aarti Gujral, Deepti Gujral |
| Net Worth | INR 5–6 Crores (Approx.) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Punjabi Khatri |
| Nationality | Indian |
Early Life and Family Background
Born on September 17, 1993, in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, into a Punjabi household, Harsh Gujral was raised in a family that valued education.
His father, B. L. Gujral, is a lawyer by profession, and his mother, Savita Gujral, is a homemaker. Growing up with three sisters Pooja, Aarti, and Deepti
Harsh was known as the humorous member of his close-knit family, often mimicking others from a young age.
He completed his schooling at St. Joseph’s Senior Secondary School in Kanpur. While he wasn’t an academic topper, his personality was always focused on entertainment.
For higher education, he moved to Delhi/NCR and earned a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree from Inderprastha Engineering College.
Education
Schooling: He grew up as the “class clown” in Kanpur, attending St. Stephen Senior Secondary School.
He wasn’t much of a bookworm and was famously more interested in mimicking his teachers than passing their exams.
The Degree: He moved to Ghaziabad to pursue a B.Tech (Engineering) at Inderprastha Engineering College (IPEC).
The Corporate “Master’s”: After graduating, he spent years as a Database Engineer at big firms like HCL, IBM, and TCS.
The London Lesson: A work trip to London acted as his real education in comedy. Watching international stand-up there inspired him to ditch the keyboard for the microphone.
Professional Journey
Biography of Harsh Gujral: Before the spotlights and microphones, Harsh led a conventional corporate life.
The Corporate Era (2012–2017): He started his career as a database engineer in Noida. ]
He worked for several major MNCs, including HCL, IBM, and TCS, with an initial salary of approximately ₹13,000 per month.
The Turning Point: While on a professional assignment in London for a year, Harsh was exposed to the thriving international stand-up scene. This sparked a deep interest in the craft.
The Transition: Upon returning to India, he hosted his company’s annual festival. The overwhelming response gave him the courage to perform at open mics, particularly at the famous Canvas Laugh Club.
Career Before Comedy
Not many know that Harsh started in the IT field. In 2012, he joined RateGain in Noida as a database engineer with a salary of ₹13,000 per month. Later, he worked at HCL, IBM, and TCS.
His turning point came when he moved to London for work. There, he performed at open mic nights. After returning to India, he hosted his company’s annual fest, which gave him the confidence to quit his corporate job and follow comedy full-time.
The Rise of a Comedian
Harsh began with Canvas Laugh Club in Delhi. His crowd work and improvisational style set him apart. Instead of scripted punchlines, he thrived on audience interaction.
Soon, he created his signature Harsh Gujral show, Jo Bolta Hai, Wohi Hota Hai.
This show toured across India and later went global.
Shows and Global Impact
Harsh is famous for his signature live show, “Jo Bolta Hai, Wohi Hota Hai.” He is ranked among India’s top ticket sellers, performing in:
National: Major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and his hometown, Kanpur.
International: He has toured the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Singapore, and North America.
Current/Next Shows (2026): His new tour “Harsh’O’Ullas” is currently running through February and April 2026, with upcoming shows in Kolkata, Jodhpur, and Ajmer.
Harsh Gujral and Reality Shows
Apart from his stand-up work, Harsh has also made his mark on television. He made his TV debut in 2022 with “Good Night India” on Sony SAB.
The show gave him a platform to reach households that might not have seen him on YouTube.
In 2023, he appeared on “The Kapil Sharma Show”, one of India’s most popular reality talk shows.
This appearance gave him recognition beyond the stand-up circuit.
He also teamed up with Ayushmann Khurrana for a special stand-up performance called “Stand Up for Anek” on YouTube.
Career Timeline
- 2012 Started career as a database engineer
- 2019 Released first YouTube video, Indian Reality Shows
- 2019 Launched Jo Bolta Hai, Wohi Hota Hai live show
- 2020 Viral videos – Shaadi Ke Rasmein, Kanpur clips
- 2021 IPL commentary, collaboration with Anubhav Bassi
- 2022 Debut on TV with Good Night India
- 2023 Featured on The Kapil Sharma Show
Movies and Digital Presence
Bollywood Debut: Harsh made his film debut in the romantic comedy “Mere Husband Ki Biwi” (released around 2025/2026), starring alongside Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar.
Reality TV: He recently appeared in Karan Johar’s reality series “The Traitors” (2025/2026).
Social Media: He boasts over 2.88 million YouTube subscribers and a massive Instagram following where he shares snippets of his “roast” sessions with audience members.
Net Worth
- 2019: ₹40–50 Lakhs
- 2020: ₹1 Crore
- 2021: ₹2–2.5 Crores
- 2022: ₹3–3.5 Crores
- 2023: ₹5 Crores+
- 2025: ₹8–12 Crore INR
Challenges and Controversies
Struggles: Like many, his initial years were spent balancing a 9-to-5 job with late-night comedy gigs. He has often shared stories of sleeping at railway stations during his early touring days.
Controversies: In January 2023, he faced social media backlash regarding a live interaction with a female audience member that some deemed offensive. Harsh later addressed the situation publicly, emphasizing the spontaneous and consensual nature of crowd work.
Fun and Lesser-Known Facts
- Called “Sasta Vicky Kaushal” because of his looks.
- Inspired by Kapil Sharma to pursue comedy.
- Drinks socially with friends.
- Loves animals and owns Oreo, his pet dog.
- Performs across UK, UAE, Australia, and Singapore.
Vision, Public Image and Impact
“The Audience is the Star”
Harsh believes comedy should be a two-way street. Instead of just reciting a script, his vision is to treat every show like a live conversation.
He wants to capture the raw, spontaneous energy of real life, making the audience feel like they are part of the act rather than just spectators.
Public Image: The “High-Energy Hustler”
The “Bro” Next Door: He’s seen as the ultimate relatable guy, an engineer who actually made it out of the cubicle.
The Sasta Vicky Kaushal: He’s famously the “budget version” of a superstar, a title he wears with pride to show he’s humble and fun.
The Fearless Roaster: To the public, he is the king of “crowd work”—someone who can make fun of you to your face and make you love him for it.
The Impact: A Cultural Shift
Trendsetter: He single-handedly made “Crowd Work” a mainstream genre in India. Now, almost every new comedian tries to mimic his interactive style.
Kanpur to the World: He proved that a “middle-class” guy with a thick regional accent can sell out shows in London and Dubai, making local Indian humor a global hit.
Mainstream Bridge: He has successfully bridged the gap between YouTube and the “Big Screen,” moving from viral videos to Bollywood movies and major TV shows like The Traitors.
