Meet Pooja Vijay, India’s first stuttering comedienne

27-year old Pooja Vijay has a pronounced stutter, a quality that is regarded as a disability. But she has made this an asset or an advantage by using it to make her mark in standup comedy shows.

Pooja, who currently lives in Delhi, is from Tamil Nadu and lived most of her life in Bengaluru before moving to Delhi. She has performed in major cities around India and has collaborated with established comedians.

She says many people have congratulated her for performances. A large part of her stand up comedy is laughing at herself and her manner of speech. She says laughter is a good way to address the attitudes towards disorders like hers.

Pooja has also been featured by the Stuttering Foundation, a US-based non-profit organisation, that provides free online resources, services and support to stutterers and their families.

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