CII Big Picture Summit 2026: Netflix India Series Head Tanya Bami calls comedy a shared cultural experience as Netflix panel explores the genre’s appeal
Netflix India brought together Ravi Kishan, Sumukhi Suresh, Aatish Kapadia and Tanya Bami for a discussion on comedy and storytelling at the CII Big Picture Summit 2026 in Mumbai on October 15. The session, titled “Beyond the Punchline: What Makes Comedy a Hit?”, explored how relatable characters, everyday situations and distinct creative approaches help comedy connect with audiences.
Moderated by Rohini Ramnathan, the panel examined the genre across scripted series, stand-up comedy, unscripted entertainment and creator-led formats. The speakers also discussed the importance of writing, performance and timing in making comedic moments work on screen.
Tanya Bami calls comedy a shared cultural experience
Speaking about comedy’s role in bringing people together, Tanya Bami, Series Head at Netflix India, described humour as an integral part of everyday life.
“I think comedy is perhaps one of the biggest shared cultural experiences that can exist. I also firmly believe that comedy is India’s love language. We love laughing over a cup of chai, during a break at the water cooler, or as families over dinner. So, what better way to bring that to life than through content of the highest quality? Comedy is a very important genre. I think it connects people and for us, it has become more than a genre; it has become a lens through which we look at content,” she said.
Bami also spoke about the range of comedy styles that appeal to viewers, from slapstick to satire, and how different voices and languages can find common ground with audiences.
Netflix’s comedy offerings include titles such as Chumbak, Maamla Legal Hai, The Great Indian Kapil Show and Papa Yaar. The platform has also featured formats such as Sumukhi Suresh’s Hoemonal and Samay Raina’s India’s Got Latent S2. Bhuvan Bam’s Dhindora S2 was highlighted as an upcoming title.
Ravi Kishan on the making of VD Tyagi
Ravi Kishan spoke about the preparation involved in playing VD Tyagi in Maamla Legal Hai, pointing to the attention given to timing and performance while developing the character.
“We worked very hard on getting the timing right, figuring out the performance, the rhythm and the meter. We planned and choreographed everything meticulously, working extremely hard and our aim was to create a cult show on Netflix and we managed to reach audiences across 193 countries. That’s when I came to be known as VD Tyagi, and from there, my journey began,” he said.
The actor’s remarks highlighted the work behind a character whose comic appeal depends on performance choices and carefully timed delivery.
Sumukhi Suresh and Aatish Kapadia on finding humour in everyday life
Sumukhi Suresh shared her perspective on why spontaneous moments can often make the strongest impression on audiences.
“Comedy is at its most honest when nobody is performing and it comes from a place of genuine spontaneity. That’s when the audience truly connects with it,” she said.
Writer, director and creator Aatish Kapadia spoke about drawing inspiration from ordinary people and their distinctive traits when developing characters for comedy.
“Ordinary people have so many distinctive qualities, quirks and even egos that characters almost seem to emerge from within them organically. When I sit down for a meal, I often find myself more interested in the people around me than in the food, because I genuinely love people. And the more ordinary a person is, the more fascinating I find them,” he said.
Kapadia also discussed the experience of writing for Netflix and understanding what resonates with its audience.
“When Netflix becomes the audience for your writing, their experience teaches you that they know their audience deeply and are representative of what resonates with them. If we can make them laugh, we know we’re on the right track. That became our benchmark,” he added.
The discussion at the summit focused on how comedy draws from recognisable human experiences while relying on the craft of writing, performances and on-screen chemistry.
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