MICF2025: Advait Kirtikar Interview … Love Actuary
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival for 2025 is almost here and what better way to celebrate than by catching up with New Zealand comedian Advait Kirtikar, a qualified actuary and 2024 Billy T Nominee. Advait will be doing his new show “Love Actuary” from March 26-28 and April 16, 19-20 at the festival, so without further adieu , welcome to Impulse Gamer Advait and let’s talk… comedy!
Advait, ‘Love Actuary’ sounds like a very specific niche. What’s the most common reaction you get when you tell people the show’s title, and how long does it usually take for them to understand it’s a comedy show?
When people hear the title most of them are confused and ask, “What’s an actuary?”
And I tell them, “It’s finance and insurance risk management.”
To which they can only reply, “Oh… sexy!”
Still not understanding it’s a comedy show…
You’re blending two seemingly disparate worlds: actuarial science and dating. Is there a specific moment or experience that sparked the idea to combine them for this show?
My show tells the tale of an adventure I go on to find a beautiful girl I randomly met at my local climbing gym. The pair of us briefly bonded over our shared love of SpongeBob socks!
It’s a Cinderella-inspired story where I take a big risk and make a grand move in hopes to find her and her pink skates because I want to live out my ultimate “Love Actuary” moment!
It’s the combination of my hopeless romanticism and the title of my day job that sparked the idea for the show and its name.
Actuaries are known for their analytical minds. How much of your dating life is actually calculated, and how much is just throwing caution to the wind?
Too much of my love life is throwing caution to the wind.
This often leads me to making spontaneous and irrational decisions in the pursuit of passion. Usually these don’t go as I imagined which results in some unfortunate, though hilarious, situations.
My show is a collection of these “Love Actuary” moments, in which I make a romantic gesture only to have it backfire beautifully.
It’s about the mistakes I repeat and lessons I keep learning again (and again!) in my love actuarial control cycle.
You’ve probably encountered the stereotype of the ‘boring actuary.’ How are you challenging that stereotype with ‘Love Actuary,’ and what’s the most surprising thing people learn about actuaries from your show?
I am definitely one of those boring actuaries most of the time but I also think that stability is sexy!
A lot of people in my life wouldn’t know, or would ever guess, that I’m a stand-up comedian (until I eventually tell them, or they pry it out of me). Off stage I’m very shy, introverted, and quiet, so I usually say nothing to no-one. A stereotypical ‘boring actuary’.
Stand up’s the best way I’ve found to share my silly thoughts and ideas without being interrupted, or spoken over, where people can hear me talk (the mic helps!).
So, I’m challenging the stereotype by showcasing a hidden talent in an unexpected field and would like people to learn that actuaries aren’t always risk averse!
Love and relationships can be messy and unpredictable. How do you, as someone who deals with probabilities and risk, reconcile that with the inherent uncertainty of romance?
Therapy.
You’re performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. What’s the biggest challenge in making a show about such a niche subject relatable to a diverse audience?
Actuarial science is very niche but love is universal. Romance is exciting! Most people desire it. Even a “boring actuary” like myself.
The show focuses on the subject of love but through the lens of an actuary. I over analyse and over think everything including the emotional and seemingly illogical search for love.
There aren’t really any specific actuarial jokes (sorry to disappoint!) as those would be lost on the average audience member even if I think they’re hilarious. (I’ve sprinkled a few throughout the interview for those interested!)
In your show, you explore the humor in the clash between logic and emotion. Can you give us a sneak peek into a specific relatable situation where this clash plays out hilariously?
When it comes to matters of the heart, it’s wise to let the head take the lead. However, as a man, my penis usually has the last word.
There are plenty of situations in which I’ve been illogical and compromised clear compatibility concerns for chemistry and lust!
Specifically, trying to make out with a cigarette connoisseur just because she’s smokin hot, even though it would taste like chewing used gum that’s been left in an ashtray.
Have you found that your experience as a comedian has changed the way you approach your work as an actuary, or vice versa? For example, have you started using punchlines in your risk assessments?
I’d say that I’ve taken a more actuarial approach to my comedy over time. I’ve learnt to better assess the riskiness of jokes before doing them on stage.
In doing so I avoid those punchlines that would be potentially catastrophic. I have also become more at ease with them not going well and potentially offending some people. I’ve accepted the underlying risk of stand up.
What’s the one takeaway you hope audiences leave with after seeing ‘Love Actuary,’ besides a good laugh?
You have to take a chance on love, but you must also ensure you’ve accounted for the inherent risk appropriately! You should be comfortable with the possible negative outcomes – determined at your desired probability of sufficiency, of course – because love can be volatile and there’s no insurance for a broken heart. And I hope they can one day live out their “Love Actuary” moments!
If you had to give one piece of relationship advice based on your actuarial knowledge, what would it be, and how would you explain it in a way that doesn’t involve spreadsheets?
Using an actuarial term, I say that sometimes love is IBNR, it’s incurred but not requited. And that’s OK!
Don’t wait for it to be reported as there’s too much uncertainty in doing that. Just go out there and find it to make your claim for and in time it will develop and settle into something great.
Check out Advait at the Love Actuary | Melbourne International Comedy Festival
About the Author
Andrew Bistak When he's not trying to save the world, Andrew enjoys travel (although loathes turbulence), going to the movies, reading and being a dad to his two dogs (and now twins) with his wife.
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