Zarna Garg Justifies Her Performance at Riyadh Comedy Festival as a Higher Calling
Zarna Garg Defends Performing at Riyadh Comedy Festival as “Ordained by Some Higher Power”

Image: The Hollywood Reporter
Indian comedian Zarna Garg defended her participation in the controversial Riyadh Comedy Festival, stating it was a higher calling to inspire women. Despite backlash over Saudi Arabia's human rights record, she emphasized the importance of representation and the positive impact of her comedy on women in the region.
- 01Zarna Garg described her performance at the Riyadh Comedy Festival as a mission to inspire women in Saudi Arabia.
- 02The festival featured prominent comedians like Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart, but faced criticism due to Saudi Arabia's human rights issues.
- 03Garg noted that many critics lacked understanding of Saudi Arabia's culture and the impact of her comedy.
- 04She clarified that financial gain was not her motivation, as she could earn similar money performing in the U.S.
- 05Garg highlighted the significance of female representation in comedy, suggesting it reflects a slight shift in the Saudi regime's approach.
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Zarna Garg, an Indian comedian with a significant following, recently defended her decision to perform at the Riyadh Comedy Festival during an appearance on Mayim Bialik's podcast. Garg expressed that she felt a higher calling to inspire women in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the importance of her comedy in a region where women often lack representation. The festival, which took place from September 26 to October 9, 2025, featured a lineup of well-known comedians, including Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart, but was met with backlash due to Saudi Arabia's history of human rights abuses. Garg pointed out that much of the criticism came from those unfamiliar with the realities of Saudi Arabia, stating her material reaches audiences globally, including women in the region who secretly follow her work. She insisted that financial motivation was not a factor for her, as she could earn similar income elsewhere. Instead, she viewed her participation as a chance to represent women and encourage dialogue in a society where such discussions are often limited. Garg believes that even small steps toward inclusion are significant and should be supported.
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Garg's performance may encourage more women to express themselves and pursue careers in comedy within restrictive societies.
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