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Avinash Agarwal Quit His Job and Spent 12 Years Doing Open Mics Before India’s Got Latent Fame

Avinash Agarwal won India's Got Latent 2 episode 1.

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The first episode of India’s Got Latent Season 2 created waves across the internet, amassing over 45 million views. While host Samay Raina and special guests Alia Bhatt and Sharvari drew attention, it was contestant Avinash Agarwal who became the biggest talking point. His Donald Trump impersonation and quick wit won the episode and turned him into an overnight viral sensation. But behind this viral moment lies a story of persistence spanning over a decade.

A 14-Year Comedy Journey Before Viral Fame

Avinash Agarwal did not become famous overnight. In 2013, he quit his copywriting job to chase a career in stand-up comedy. Looking back, he admitted in an Instagram post that leaving his job was “too soon.” He had to balance his passion with reality.

For the next 12 years, Agarwal performed at open mics across India, often in front of nearly empty rooms with little applause. He kept showing up, performing at over 800 live shows across India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE. His public profiles show he has more than 15 years of stage experience and has entertained over one million audience members.

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Agarwal’s corporate career continued alongside comedy. His LinkedIn profile shows he currently works as Head of Marketing at Merito, a role he took in September 2025. Before that, he co-founded branding consultancy Ctrl N and learning venture 3 Seconds. He has nearly 15 years of experience in branding and marketing .

His website describes his comedy style as a mix of sharp observations, everyday humor, and interactive crowd work. He also provides voiceovers for advertisements and brand campaigns in Hindi and English.

How the ‘Indian Donald Trump’ Was Born

Agarwal’s signature act is his Donald Trump impersonation. On social media, he calls himself the “Indian Trump,” a nickname that has become his comedy identity. His online content features Trump-inspired sketches and impersonations.

On India’s Got Latent Season 2, he took the stage in character as Trump, complete with mannerisms and accent. He delivered a fast-paced set with jokes aimed at the panel and the audience. One of the most viral moments came when Alia Bhatt struggled to respond to a question. Agarwal quipped, “Somebody give her a script and a director.” He followed up with, “Somebody give her an action director,” which got one of the loudest reactions of the night.

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Another widely shared moment was his joke about “free H-1B visas” and his tariff remark when Samay Raina gifted him an AI+ smartphone. Agarwal asked if it was made in China. When Raina said it was made in India, Agarwal responded, “Alright, because I have already been charged 50% tariff”.

The Performance That Won the Episode

Agarwal’s performance impressed the judging panel. Ashish Solanki, Balraj Ghai, and Alia Bhatt gave him perfect scores of 10. Sharvari scored him 9.5. Samay Raina also flashed a 10, praising his stage presence and comic timing.

His jokes targeted everyone on the panel. At one point, he referenced the show’s past controversy by joking about Ranveer Allahbadia. He told Alia, “I’m just glad you don’t have the other guy, Ranveer Barbadia. He creeps me out.” He clarified, “Not your Ranbir, he’s a nice guy”.

When Sharvari reacted loudly, he said in character, “Keep the volume down. I don’t like women being empowered.” The remark drew strong reactions, with Alia jokingly throwing water bottles at him.

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By the end of the act, Avinash Agarwal emerged as the winner of the episode. Within 48 hours of the show streaming, he gained 250,000 followers on Instagram.

Beyond Comedy: Public Speaking and Celebrity Collaborations

Agarwal’s achievements extend beyond stand-up comedy. He represented India at the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking in the United States and finished among the top 30 speakers globally.

His work has brought him on stage with several well-known personalities. Over the years, he has hosted events featuring Manisha Koirala, Abhay Deol, Johnny Lever, and Anurag Kashyap. He has also been associated with script-writing projects connected to Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra .

In a throwback Instagram post, Agarwal recalled asking Johnny Lever for advice on how to be funny. Lever told him, “Ek tablet aati hai, woh har Wednesday lo aap…” Agarwal now realizes Lever was talking about going to open mics.

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Social Media Reactions and Viral Fame

After the episode aired, social media buzzed with praise for Agarwal. One user commented, “The performance was Gold, time to put some tareef (not tariff).” Another wrote, “You were 10/10 brother.” A third joked, “The performance was so great real Trump would be sharing it for credit” .

Following the show, Avinash Agarwal shared photographs on Instagram and called his experience on India’s Got Latent a “dream come true.” He thanked Samay Raina, Ashish Solanki, Balraj Ghai, Alia Bhatt, and Sharvari for being “such a fun panel.” Staying in character, he signed off with, “This is Donald Trump signing off” .

His performance has introduced him to a much wider audience. Viewers are now discovering his comedy, hosting work, and public-speaking career beyond the show. With India’s Got Latent Season 2 now streaming on Netflix and YouTube, Avinash Agarwal has established himself as one of the breakout personalities of the season.

Also Read: Supergirl’s Shocking Ending Shows She Is a More Conflicted Hero Than Superman

For more updates on viral sensations, comedy news, and entertainment stories from India and beyond, keep following VvipTimes for the latest headlines and breaking stories.


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