This is a post written when I discovered Zarna Garg’s handle on Instagram and instantly took to her witty and genius feed.
A few months ago, I was feeling a little bored and lonely. I hadn’t been out in a while and was looking for something to do when I stumbled upon Zarna Garg going live in Mumbai. I had already taken to her reels on Instagram, those everyday jokes about family, school, and everything in between, all while casually cutting a pineapple on her kitchen counter. Slowly, she became a familiar face to me, even though I didn’t know much about her before. Her humour was something I began looking forward to, especially in quiet, solitary moments.
So of course, I instantly looked up tickets. It turned out to be one of the sweetest comedy acts I’ve seen. Seeing her in person was heartwarming. She came across as someone who’d had her fair share of struggles and that made me want to pick up This American Woman.
Here are just a few moments that stayed with me as I read, Zarna Garg, somewhere in the heart of the passage.
Her Early Struggles
As a child, Zarna came across as a wealthy kid with everything she needed on the surface. But beneath that was a quiet absence: her parents were physically present but emotionally distant. Her stories about her bond with her brother Suresh were deeply moving; you could tell their relationship would carry her through life. At first, the pace of the book felt a little slow but maybe that’s because, as a reader, I was carrying her struggle with her.
Even in childhood, the essence of Zarna was visible; bold, feisty, defiant, and unwilling to back down.
Sunita
Sunita is every bit the elder sister we all know or wish we had. The way she took Zarna under her wing, so selflessly, is proof that family pulls through, especially in the hardest moments. Zarna is lucky to have grown up with siblings who always looked out for her.
And Suddenly…
Just when it felt like the story was slowing down, Zarna flipped the script, suddenly every chapter was filled with humour and lively anecdotes. I wondered how she could write both extremes so beautifully.
I especially loved the story of how she met her husband online. For someone like me who’s always thought online dating could never be that smooth it was oddly reassuring. Their instant chemistry, the sense of being a team from the very beginning, and their joint approach to marriage and parenting were lovely to read. Zarna embraced motherhood with grace while Shalabh quietly held the fort.
The Socks
One moment that stood out was when Zarna compared her need for independence and self-esteem to having the right pair of sports socks ready for her kids. A missing green one wasn’t the end of the world as Shalabh lovingly pointed out but for her, it marked the beginning of something. A quiet but growing desire to be seen, to do something just for herself.
Nouveau Academy
I’m not a parent, so I don’t always realise how hard parenting can be. But Zarna painted that struggle beautifully. Especially the challenge of transitioning her children from private to public school. What stood out was how her children seemed to trust her choices completely a testament to the love and understanding within their family.
Zarna’s Determination
Whether chasing down a director for her screenplay or hustling for open mic gigs, Zarna is relentless. She busked on trains. She taped a special in a beautiful auditorium. She faced shady clubs and strange crowds. She may not have cared about what she wore, but she cared deeply about her voice being heard and she kept going, despite the nerves.
A Surprise Ending
When we saw her live, we were laughing from the start but the way she ended her show, with a tribute to her life in India and to her brother, left us stunned. It was unexpectedly moving.
That’s Zarna Garg for you. She’ll make you laugh and just when you least expect it, she’ll make you cry.
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