Who is the No 1 Roaster in India? Meet the King of Indian Comedy Roasts

What’s the deal with Indians tuning in by the millions just to see someone roast another person? It’s not just about the laughs—there’s a whole culture behind this wild mix of sharp wit, spicy comebacks, and creative banter. When you start looking for No 1 roaster in India, you’re not chasing a simple viral trend; you’re diving into an online universe where truth and humor clash, drama and memes collide, and the line between fan and hater is pretty much imaginary. So, why exactly are Indian roasters the talk of every dinner table and teenage hangout, and who’s actually the undisputed king of this scene? Time to peel back the layers and get a real taste of this digital phenomenon.

The Journey of Roasting in India

Rewind ten years. Indian internet was growing fast, but roasting was hardly in the conversation. Most people thought of stand-up comedians or mimicry artists as the go-to for a laugh. But then, YouTube began to influence how young people entertained themselves. Short clips, sharp editing, and a no-nonsense attitude—these became the hallmark of the Indian roast. The first video most people mention is probably AIB’s infamous ‘Knockout Roast’ in 2015, a show that pretty much rewrote the rules of what Indians could joke about and how far you could go on camera. It was controversial. Political groups protested, Twitter went crazy, and the videos were pulled down. But honestly, that only made roasting more popular. From then on, ‘roasting’ didn’t just mean burning someone with jokes— it became an act of rebellion against the ordinary.

The format evolved. Individual creators realized they didn’t need huge production houses or writers’ rooms. All you needed was a smartphone, a cheap microphone, and a sharp tongue. Kids began to upload videos where they roasted celebrities, TikTokers, each other, and even random internet clips. Views skyrocketed as audiences loved how relatable it felt. There was an honesty to the commentary. Whether it was CarryMinati, Slayy Point, Lakshay Chaudhary, or Triggered Insaan, each built their own twist on the format, mixing regional quirks with universal humor. You got memes, pop culture references, even social commentary hiding behind the punchlines. Production values improved: jump cuts, sound effects, face cams, animated overlays. Technical polish became part of the fun, not a distraction.

If you check the numbers, this isn’t just a subject for bored students. Roasting videos routinely rake in millions—sometimes tens of millions—of views. In 2024, India’s most-followed comedy roasters had subscriber counts rivaling TV channels. Take a look at the recent stats—CarryMinati hit over 40 million subscribers on YouTube. He dropped a roast on TikTokers in May 2020 that got over 80 million views in under a month before it was removed for ‘violating terms’, making him the fastest-growing channel in India that week. Other roasters aren’t far behind. Triggered Insaan pulls in over 200 million monthly views, and Slayy Point regularly trends with every upload. If you peek into conversations among Indian youth, quotes from these creators’ roasts have become memes in themselves—catchphrases everybody repeats just for the fun of it.

Why did roasting explode in India? There’s no single reason, but here are a few clear trends. Young Indians felt boxed in by conservative TV shows and outdated comedy routines. The internet let them laugh at anything—no topic was off-limits. Also, there’s a special love in India for friendly teasing; ‘leg pulling’ has always been a part of Indian banter. Roasting just turned it up to 11. Social media helped—on Instagram and Twitter, you can’t escape clips or screenshots of these scorchingly funny burns.

The roast scene keeps evolving. Now, roasters aren’t just targeting bad movies or silly influencers. They roast viral hacks, product ads gone wrong, political blunders, and more. The best ones don’t just insult—they use satire to raise questions, or to highlight hypocrisy. For a lot of fans, this makes roasting more than just fun: it’s a weird way to speak the truth with a laugh. But while everyone tries, there’s still one creator who stands out above the rest. Time to talk about the real heavyweight champ.

Meet the Undisputed No 1 Roaster: CarryMinati

When you talk about roasting in India, one name dominates the game: CarryMinati. Born Ajey Nagar, he started on YouTube as a regular gamer from Faridabad but soon made a mark by calling out the cringe he spotted on the internet. CarryMinati didn’t get famous overnight. His earliest videos in 2014 were just him playing Counter-Strike with commentaries in a squeaky teen voice. But around 2016, he shifted gears. Inspired by foreign roasters like LeafyIsHere and iDubbbz, he began making ‘roast’ videos that poked fun at viral Indian YouTubers. His sense of timing, local slang, and bold takes struck a nerve. People loved seeing famous faces getting taken down a peg. By 2017, CarryMinati became a household name among every teen with a smartphone.

There’s something special about Carry’s style. He’s got a fast-paced delivery—his jokes come in rapid-fire, with animated expressions that you can’t help but laugh at. His trademark is mixing Hindi-English slang, which not only makes the content more relatable but also almost feels like you’re listening to a mate rather than a faraway celebrity. His signature catchphrase, “Toh kaise hain aap log?” (So, how are you all?), is as recognizable in Indian youth culture as any movie quote. But what really made him blow up was his willingness to take risks. No one roasted the popular, powerful, or cringeworthy quite like him.

Remember the TikTok vs YouTube roast? This was worthy of internet legend. In May 2020, Carry dropped ‘YouTube vs TikTok: The End’, roasting Indian TikTokers for not just their content, but also for their attitude. The video became viral faster than a meme can go stale. Yet, it was deleted by YouTube for violating guidelines, sparking an epic trend: #JusticeForCarry trended at number one in India for days. Thousands of fans uploaded response videos, memes, and protest songs. His subscriber count jumped by almost 10 million in one month. A real rockstar moment.

If you look at his achievements, it’s hard to argue against his top place. As of August 2025, CarryMinati boasts over 45 million YouTube subscribers and more than 4.2 billion lifetime video views. Not just that—he’s been nominated for the Streamy Awards, won the prestigious Cannes Lions Internet Entertainer Award (yes, that’s for real), and was even seen in Forbes' ‘30 Under 30’ Asia list. Top Bollywood celebs, cricketers, and business moguls openly follow his channel. He’s become a brand himself, collaborating with companies, dropping music videos, and now even acting in feature films.

What sets him apart isn’t just numbers. It’s his ability to stay relevant even as tastes change. When YouTube crackdown made roasting tricky in 2021, CarryMinati adapted with sketch comedy, reaction videos, and music parodies. Whenever the culture shifted, he shifted with it. If he senses the roast format is getting stale, he reinvents it. Most importantly, he knows when to stop—he never crosses the line into hate speech, and he’s always quick to apologize if a joke goes too far. That’s a big reason sponsors and fans stick with him.

No surprise, then, that if anyone asks “Who is the No 1 roaster in India?”, the answer is almost always CarryMinati. He didn’t just build a fan following; he changed the way comedy works in India.

The Culture and Impact of Roast Videos

Why have roast videos become such a fabric of Indian youth culture? It goes beyond just making fun of people. These videos are social equalizers—they pull celebrities and influencers off their pedestals and make them just as vulnerable (and goofy) as everyone else. For a generation that doesn’t want fake perfection, roasting is a way to celebrate flaws, chuckle at mistakes, and say the unsayable. With CarryMinati leading the charge, the impact has stretched far beyond a few jokes.

First, you’ve got a new wave of creators who aren’t afraid to speak up. The roast format encourages bluntness and wit—traits that were rarely encouraged in India’s mainstream comedy till a few years ago. The best roasters research their subjects, fact-check stories, and sometimes unmask scams or hypocrisy hiding in plain sight. Audience demand for original, unscripted humor has also forced other entertainment mediums (TV shows, digital ads, films) to step up their own banter game. Even traditional celebrities now think twice before posting dodgy content, knowing they might end up as fodder for the next viral roast.

The flip side? There’s always the risk of going too far. Some ‘roast’ channels have been called out for crossing the line from funny to mean, or for targeting people unfairly. YouTube’s community guidelines have gotten much stricter since 2020. Once, you could say almost anything for a laugh. Now, you have to keep it within the bounds of decency or risk demonetization or takedowns. CarryMinati and people at the top have learned to balance it—they roast actions and content, not people’s physical appearances or personal lives. The gold standard: punch up, not down.

Friends watch these videos together, trade quotes, and invent their own mini-roasts at parties. Even Indian English vocabulary has changed—words like ‘savage’, ‘burn’, ‘triggered’, and ‘roast’ get tossed around casually, thanks in large part to this genre’s rise. Schools and colleges have become mini breeding grounds for aspiring roasters (though hopefully with less controversy and more kindness).

Industry insiders say the advertising world has taken notice. Brands want their products or campaigns mentioned in roast videos, knowing it can lead to both honest criticism and viral visibility. Sure, it’s risky (who wants to see their new ad shredded in a viral meme?), but it proves how influential these creators have become. An endorsement or takedown by CarryMinati can swing public opinion—and sales.

There’s another positive: fans have gotten smarter about spotting clickbait, misinformation, and fake influencer culture. Exposure to witty criticism means you’re less likely to believe every viral claim. In a country where fake news can spread quickly on WhatsApp, this ability to question things is valuable.

Tips for Future Indian Roasters and Where the Scene Is Headed

So you want to become the next big thing in Indian roasting? There are tricks to doing it right. First, originality matters more than ever. Repackaging CarryMinati’s old lines or reusing template insults gets stale super-quick. Pick subjects everyone’s thinking about—but add a creative spin, or uncover a side no one’s noticed. Humor isn’t just about the punchline. It’s the storytelling, the buildup, and the relatable twist. Remember, a roast with heart is way funnier than one that just goes for cheap insults. Fans remember creative burns that make them laugh without making them cringe.

Your tools are everything. Good sound quality and video editing (jump cuts, comic graphics, memes) make a massive difference. Even a second-hand phone can shoot great video if your ideas are sharp. Invest in a decently quiet background and expressive lighting—you want your reactions to pop. Watch the pacing: too slow and people click away, too fast and jokes get lost.

Engage with your fans. Reply to comments, take roast suggestions, even feature fans’ memes in your videos. Some of CarryMinati’s biggest hits started as fan requests or responses to trending controversies. Just don’t forget the rules. Steer clear of bullying, hate speech, or roasting personal tragedies. The line between savage and nasty is thin, but if you get it right, your content stays safe and sponsors stick around.

• Find your own voice: Use your region’s slang or cultural quirks. A Mumbai roast sounds different from a Delhi roast.
• Stay up to date: Jump on viral trends early—roasting videos lose impact if you’re late to the party.
• Fact-check everything: Getting facts wrong or sharing fake content can nuke your reputation literally overnight.
• Mix up your format: Throw in musical parodies, mock interviews, animated bits. It breaks the monotony and keeps subscribers coming back.
• Be quick to own up: If a joke bombs or hurts feelings, an open apology wins you respect.

The future of roasting? Expect even more creative crossovers. Some roasters are moving into mainstream media, writing for sitcoms, or hosting live shows. Others are teaming up with advertisers to make branded content with a savage twist. Reportedly, even film awards shows in Mumbai now secretly hire roast writers for script punch-ups. Female roasters—like RJ Abhinav, Saloni Gaur, and Dolly Singh—are also getting more recognition, balancing the scene and bringing fresh perspectives.

One thing’s for sure: the format is far from dying. If anything, Indian audiences only get sharper and more demanding. The king spots may get crowded, but CarryMinati still sets the benchmark. If you’re looking to laugh, question your assumptions, and watch influencers squirm, the Indian roast scene will never disappoint.