Exclusive: "If You're Good, You'll Attract Work" - Niranjan Mondal on Creators Going Mainstream

Niranjan Mondal aka Laughtersane is one of Bengali digital comedy's most recognisable voices,  the creator behind the iconic Mita Aunty, a breakout OTT actor with Birangana and Mecho, and a storyteller who refuses to be put in a box. In this exclusive conversation with Whosthat360, he talks about his journey, the characters that opened doors, and why there's never been a Plan B.

Before “Laughtersane” became a brand, who was Niranjan Mondal?

Before the name had edges… before it had a voice, a following… There was just a boy who noticed things too much. I think Niranjan was the draft, and Laughtersane is the edit.

Do you remember the first reel that made you realise this was more than just fun?

Yes, that Babesh content… That was the first time I felt it was more than just fun.

Was there ever a moment you doubted this path or almost quit?

There were hard days, but quitting was never an option. I knew from day one I had to make it work. There's no Plan B.

How did “Mita Aunty” come to life, and is she inspired by someone real?

Mita Aunty actually came from observing all those iconic aunties we've grown up around… the ones who know everyone's business, give unsolicited advice, judge you lovingly, and still feed you the best food. She's not one specific person, but a mix of many personalities I've come across.

Why do you think that character connected so deeply with audiences?

Because I think everyone has met a ‘Mita Aunty' at some point in their life, so that's why she feels so real.

Did you ever worry about being boxed into comedy because of Mita Aunty's popularity?

I never saw Mita Aunty as a box; I saw her as a door. She opened up so many opportunities for me. The key is to grow with your audience. Comedy is my foundation, but I'm not limited to one character. I can evolve, experiment, and show different sides of myself… because at the end of the day, Mita Aunty is a part of me, not all of me.

When Birangana came your way, what excited you, and what scared you?

Both. When Birangana came my way, I felt this rush of excitement because playing Chirayu was something different, something layered… it had that weight, so it thrilled me. But at the same time, it scared me. Chirayu isn't simple. There's responsibility in portraying a character like that, and I'm glad that people loved Chirayu.

How different is performing for OTT compared to shooting a reel on your phone?

Performing for OTT is like cooking in a five-star kitchen… you've got lights, a crew, retakes, proper sound, and a whole team making sure your act lands perfectly. And shooting a reel on your phone is like making Maggi at 2 a.m, it's just you and your front camera. On OTT, you perform for a seated audience you can't see. On reels, you perform for the algorithm.

With Mecho, you explored a darker space, well outside your comfort zone. How was the experience? What made you explore darker spaces?

With Mecho, I really wanted to push past the familiar and comfortable. Darker spaces have a way of revealing truths about ourselves that light and laughter often hide. Exploring that felt like wandering into a room I'd been avoiding, scary, yes, but also incredibly freeing.

Do you feel digital creators still have to “prove” themselves when entering mainstream acting?

There's nothing to prove… let's not make it complicated. If you're good at it, you'll attract work in any field.

What's something about your creative process that people don't see?

That I work 24x7. It's not a 9-to-5 job. My brain is always braining.

Did you ever feel pressure to change your content style or language to appeal to a pan-India audience?

Initially, I tried, but I don't see it that way anymore. I think the core of my content is about keeping it relatable and funny, representing my language, my culture, my regional voice. Sometimes I try to make jokes or references that more people across India can understand, but I don't force myself to change my authenticity.

If you had to describe the next chapter of your journey in one sentence, what would it look like?

More creative, more uniqueness, more perfection.