Aaditya Kulshreshth, better known as Kullu, is no longer only a name associated with stand-up comedy. The comedian and writer is now moving between live shows, YouTube, acting and long-form conversations, with his next big-screen appearance coming in Nayi Naveli, a Hindi fantasy horror-comedy releasing on October 16. At the same time, Kullu continues to build his own comedy universe through stand-up and podcasts, including a recent conversation with actor-director Kunal Khemu about what makes comedy work on screen. It is another phase in a career that has gradually expanded from performing jokes on stage to writing, acting and creating conversations around comedy itself.
Kullu Is Coming To The Big Screen With Nayi Naveli
Kullu will appear in Nayi Naveli, directed by Balaji Mohan and produced by Aanand L Rai and Himanshu Sharma under Colour Yellow Productions, in association with Amazon MGM Studios.
The film stars Yami Gautam Dhar and Addinath Kothare alongside Kullu.
Set in a chaotic household in Meerut, the story follows Mohini, played by Yami Gautam, a seemingly perfect new bride whose arrival transforms the family. But her perfection soon makes her brother-in-law suspicious, leading him to question whether she could actually be a supernatural force or daayan.
The film is scheduled to release on October 16, 2026, around Dussehra.
For Kullu, the film adds another dimension to his growing acting portfolio.
From Stand-Up To Acting
Kullu has been active in India’s comedy circuit for years, building his style around everyday experiences, characters and stories with a strong small-town flavour.
His YouTube work has also helped take that comedy beyond the stage. His full Fresher’s Party special, released in June 2026, has crossed millions of views, while his earlier stand-up videos have also found large audiences online.
He has also worked as a writer, including on Farzi Mushaira, and became known to a wider internet audience through appearances and collaborations around the Tanmay Bhat ecosystem.
But acting appears to be becoming a bigger part of the picture.
In a March 2026 conversation with The New Indian Express, Kullu said he was open to doing more acting projects and also spoke about continuing to develop his comedy special before spending time in writers’ rooms and jam sessions.
He Is Still Building His Stand-Up Career
Even with films and podcasts entering the picture, stand-up remains central to Kullu’s work.
His first major solo tour, Smooth Kullu Smooth, travelled across India and internationally, including stops in Dubai and Australia.
He has since followed it with Fresher’s Party, a show built around college memories and the nostalgia of growing up.
Now, Kullu is also taking a new show, Kullu On Tour, to audiences later this year. The current listing describes it as a Hindi-English stand-up show built around his first-hand stories and experiences, with dates running from November 13 to December 13 across multiple cities.
So even as his screen career grows, he is not stepping away from the format that built his audience.
His Podcast With Kunal Khemu Went Beyond Comedy
Kullu has also been using his platform to have longer conversations with people from the entertainment industry.
One recent episode featured Kunal Khemu, with the two discussing how comedy works on screen and what goes into making a successful comedy film.
The conversation moved through Khemu’s influences, including Kamal Haasan, the comedy of Golmaal 3, and the differences between different styles of screen comedy.
They also discussed Khemu’s transition from actor to writer and director, including Go Goa Gone and Madgaon Express.
The conversation then moved towards his filmmaking process, from writing drafts and editing to working with actors and shaping comic timing.
Kullu also explored Khemu’s earlier films, including Dhundhte Reh Jaoge and Dhol, while asking what makes comedy particularly difficult to execute on screen.
And Then There Is Vibe
A significant part of the conversation was Khemu’s second directorial film, Vibe.
Kullu and Khemu discussed the action-comedy, its characters and the influences behind its world, including the idea of James Bond-style characters.
The conversation also touched on the challenges of combining action and comedy, what audiences can expect from the film and Khemu’s plans for future projects.
The episode effectively turned Kullu from interviewer into someone analysing the craft he is increasingly becoming part of himself.
Kullu’s Comedy Is Expanding Beyond The Stage
That may be the more interesting story around Kullu right now.
He began with stand-up and built an audience through relatable stories, character-driven comedy and observations about everyday life. His work has since expanded into writing, digital shows, podcasts and acting.
He has also previously appeared in projects such as Farzi Mushaira and reality and entertainment formats, while continuing to release stand-up material online.
His recent work suggests that he is increasingly interested in the machinery behind comedy as much as performing it.
That includes asking actors about writing, talking to filmmakers about editing and understanding why certain comedy films become cult favourites.
So, What Is Kullu Up To Now?
Quite a bit.
He is preparing to appear in Nayi Naveli, a fantasy horror-comedy led by Yami Gautam and directed by Balaji Mohan.
He is continuing his stand-up journey with new shows, including Kullu On Tour, while his earlier Fresher’s Party special continues to find viewers online.
And through his podcast and long-form conversations, he is exploring the creative side of comedy with actors and filmmakers such as Kunal Khemu.
For someone who built his career by making everyday experiences funny, Kullu’s own career is now becoming its own kind of comedy ecosystem, performing, writing, acting, interviewing and figuring out what makes people laugh across different screens.