When comedian Salome Bhanu enrolled at the University of Waikato at 21, after a reality TV appearance in her native India, she wasn’t just chasing a degree – she was also searching for a new life.
Now 34 and based in Wellington, she’s become a rising star in New Zealand’s stand-up comedy scene and a popular TikTok influencer, inspiring thousands, one joke at a time.
From Mumbai to New Zealand
She shares, “I wanted to do something to make a difference in the lives of young women, especially women of colour and immigrants to New Zealand.”
Salome’s journey began in the heart of Mumbai in India, where she was raised and attended an all-girls Catholic convent school.
“It was incredible,” she laughs.
“Like going to school with a bunch of Wonder Women!”
Even as a child, Salome stood out. Her sister excelled academically and was headed for engineering, while Salome was drawn to the arts.
“Our parents had already written our destinies,” she says.
“My sister was supposed to be an engineer, which she became, and I was supposed to be a doctor. I was like, ‘That’s not going to happen!’”
Instead, Salome’s passion for performance blossomed early.
A seven year old with a mic and a punchline
“I did my first stand-up set when I was seven during a school talent show,” she recalls.
“I told a bunch of jokes. One of them was, ‘When you get married, what are the three types of rings? A wedding ring, an engagement ring and a suffer-ring!’”
That spark never faded. In 2012, she unexpectedly landed a spot on Big Switch, a popular reality TV show in India about young adults learning the value of money.
“I didn’t even audition,” she says.
“I was there supporting a friend. The producers found me funny and cast me instead!”
Breaking away from expectations
However, reality TV wasn’t her end goal. Despite enrolling in pre-med studies to please her parents, Salome knew it wasn’t her path and decided not to pursue a career in medicine.
“My parents weren’t happy,” she shares.
“They’d spent so much money on classes and tutorials. But I knew there was more to me than academia.”
Determined to forge her own path, she knew she had to look beyond India to find her independence. She researched international universities to complete her postgraduate studies, and ended up choosing between France and New Zealand.
First stop Waikato
“I picked the University of Waikato in Hamilton,” she reveals.
“Honestly, when I arrived, I felt catfished. The brochure showed beautiful lakes, but they were brown and full of duck poo!”
Despite the initial culture shock, Hamilton became a turning point. She earned a postgraduate degree in communications and also found a new kind of comedy.
“I was inspired by Billy T James,” she reveals.
“My friends introduced me to his work. The first clip I saw, he was making fun of colonisers. I thought, ‘This is brave!’ It blew my mind.”
Billy T also helped her understand New Zealand’s unique humour and shaped her own comedic voice.
Lockdown laughs
Salome kickstarted her stand-up comedy career during COVID lockdowns. Afterwards, she found herself isolated and seeking connection, which led her to an open-mic night in Wellington.
“I needed something to cheer me up,” Salome says.
“I showed up, people laughed and I’ve been gigging ever since.”
Her comedy became more than just a personal outlet – it became a tool for connection.
“Being funny is a state of mind. When I first moved here, I didn’t have many friends. I had to amuse myself – my humour helped me survive.”
But life in Aotearoa wasn’t all laughter. In 2016, Salome was sexually assaulted by someone she’d met on Tinder. The trauma was profound and she kept the incident secret, even from her family back in India.
Behind closed doors
“On the day I was assaulted, I felt like my life had ended,” she shares.
“I cried a lot. Sometimes a sexual offender isn’t lurking in the bushes – it’s someone you know.”
She chose not to press charges, fearing the emotional toll of a trial, and instead she endured a long recovery.
A turning point came in 2024, when she attended a depression recovery centre and began group therapy – an experience that helped her confront the trauma and begin to recover.
“I was understanding ways to heal,” she remembers.
“That helped me learn how to live and laugh again.”
Turning pain into purose
Today Salome is using her comedy and her experiences to inspire others. In 2022, she launched her TikTok channel, which now blends stand-up with heartfelt advice, tackling everything
from racism to mental health.
She’s built a community of more than 10,000 followers and is popular with younger viewers who see her as a relatable big sister or a funny aunt.
“I’ve been seen like an aunty by most of my followers,” she laughs.
“I’m grateful for that platform and how I’ve been embraced by New Zealanders.”
The long journey from Mumbai to Hamilton, reality TV to TikTok and trauma to healing has given Salome a sense of purpose.
“I’m passionate about doing the right thing,” she says.
“I learnt that we all need to be kinder and gentler to each other – and ourselves.”
For help with sexual harm, call 0800 044 334, text 4334 or visit safetotalk.nz.
