Meet Samson Koletkar

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samson Koletkar. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Samson, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when it began, but optimism has always been my default setting. One idea that stayed with me early on is the notion that life moves like a wheel—with inevitable ups and downs. When you’re at your lowest point, the only direction left is up. That perspective stuck.

I’ve also drawn optimism from watching my parents live through far tougher circumstances than anything I’ve faced, with resilience and grace. And even today, a quick look around the world is a reminder that many people are dealing with challenges far greater than mine. That context grounds me.

During my college years, there was a class most of us weren’t particularly invested in, which meant procrastination was common. Right before class, someone would inevitably panic because they were the only one who hadn’t finished the assignment. I’d calmly tell them, “You’re never alone—others will join you on this walk of shame.” And they always did. That moment taught me something simple but powerful: we tend to overestimate how unique our struggles are.

Years later, when we had our first child and my wife was stressed about juggling a demanding job with a long commute, I told her the same thing: “Are you the first, last, or only person to go through this? No. So take a breath—it’s manageable.”

That idea has become my mantra. Whenever stress creeps in—for me or for others—I remind myself that most problems aren’t unprecedented or insurmountable. That realization doesn’t minimize challenges, but it makes them feel lighter, shared, and solvable. And that’s where my optimism lives.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a stand-up comedian performing under the name Mahatma Moses, and what I do is build long-form, clean, culture-blending comedy that connects Indian heritage, Jewish roots, and American life into a single, cohesive point of view. I focus less on one-liners and more on carefully crafted stories, callbacks, and ideas that reward audiences for paying attention. My goal is to make people laugh and feel like they’ve experienced something thoughtful and shared.

What excites me most about my work is that it comes from a genuinely uncommon perspective. I’m the world’s only Indian Jewish stand-up comedian, but the comedy isn’t about novelty—it’s about insight. I take everyday human absurdities and approach them from angles people don’t usually hear, using clean, cerebral humor that connects across cultures and generations. Callbacks are my favorite technique because they create cohesion, payoff, and a sense of collective memory in the room.

Beyond performing, I’m deeply invested in building comedy communities. I founded Comedy Oakland in 2009 (www.comedyoakland.com
), which currently runs 4–5 shows every week across multiple venues in Oakland. The goal has always been consistent, high-quality stage time for comedians and a reliable comedy destination for audiences. We’re now actively planning to expand to 6–7 weekly shows by March 2026, continuing to grow the ecosystem while maintaining quality.

I also co-created Desi Comedy Fest in 2014 (www.desicomedyfest.com
), a San Francisco–based festival that has grown into the biggest South Asian comedy festival in America. We’re now expanding nationwide, with shows planned in NYC, DC, and Boston in March, Chicago and other Midwest cities in June, the main SF Bay Area festival in August, and Texas in October–November.

On the creative front, I recorded my first hour-long stand-up special on November 29, with plans to release it on YouTube in January. I’m also aggressively aiming to record two more specials in 2026, continuing to document and evolve my work. For me, it’s all about momentum—on stage, on camera, and in the communities we’re building around comedy.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three things stand out as the most impactful in my journey: consistency, perspective, and craftsmanship.

First, consistency.
Talent gets you started, but consistency is what builds a career. For years, I showed up night after night—often unpaid, often exhausted—because stage time is the real classroom. Progress in stand-up (and most creative fields) isn’t linear, but it is cumulative. My advice to anyone early on is simple: show up more than you feel like. Build habits, not bursts of effort. Consistency compounds quietly, and then suddenly.

Second, perspective.
Being different used to feel like a liability. Over time, I learned that perspective is the asset. I stopped chasing what was popular and leaned into who I was—my background, my voice, my lived experience. That shift changed everything. For those starting out, resist the urge to sound like your heroes. Study them, yes—but then ask yourself what only you can bring to the table. Your job isn’t to fit in; it’s to stand out honestly.

Third, craftsmanship.
Comedy isn’t just inspiration—it’s structure, revision, and attention to detail. I gravitated toward long-form jokes and callbacks because they reward focus and care. I rewrote relentlessly and tested ideas in front of real audiences. My advice here is to respect the craft. Record yourself. Edit ruthlessly. Treat your work like a skill that can be sharpened, not just a talent you hope shows up.

If I had to sum it up for anyone early in their journey: show up consistently, trust your perspective, and take the craft seriously. Everything else grows from there.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, I’m actively looking to collaborate—especially with people who want to build something meaningful over time rather than chase short-term wins.

On the local scale, I’m always looking for collaborators to help grow Comedy Oakland, my weekly comedy series. This includes people with skills in social media marketing, content creation, Google Ads, email campaigns, video recording, and editing—folks who enjoy turning great live shows into consistently full rooms. Because these shows run every week, the opportunity is about building repeatable systems, testing strategies, and growing audiences steadily. I’m especially interested in collaborators who are willing to invest their time and skills now for long-term rewards, whether that’s revenue participation, portfolio-building, or being part of a proven comedy brand.

On the national scale, I’m expanding Desi Comedy Fest, the biggest South Asian comedy festival in America. As the festival grows into multiple cities across the U.S., I’m interested in partners who can help with multi-city promotion, regional outreach, sponsorship development, digital marketing, and video storytelling. This is ideal for collaborators who want experience working on a larger platform with national visibility and cultural impact.

On the international scale, there’s my personal stand-up brand, Mahatma Moses. This includes touring, recorded specials, online content, and global audience-building. I’m open to working with people who can help with branding, short-form video, YouTube growth, social distribution, press outreach, and international marketing—especially those excited by building a globally recognizable comedy voice.

If any of these lanes resonate—local, national, or international—the best way to connect is through www.mahatma-moses.com
, which handles all performance, producing, and collaboration inquiries. I’m always happy to start with a conversation and explore whether there’s a good long-term fit to build something together.

Contact Info:

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