Culture Craze

From Chemo to Comedy: Anasia Aniruth’s Journey of Laughter and Healing

Published

2 months ago

July 29, 2025

Chiraag

Anasia Aniruth show, comedy healing journey, Durban talent, cancer survivor South Africa, Annalakshmi stage persona, empowering South African women, female comedians SA, Joburg ETC

When life knocked her down, Anasia Aniruth stood up, with a mic in one hand and hope in the other.

She’s not just one of Durban’s most dynamic entertainers. She’s a survivor, a storyteller, and the heart behind the sari-clad stage persona, Annalakshmi. Her journey is less about applause and more about authenticity: a woman who turned her darkest chapters into comedy sets that leave audiences in tears, then laughter, then both.

Losing It All to Find Herself

Aniruth’s life turned upside down in 2011 when she lost her admin job. Instead of panicking, she pivoted, placing a Gumtree ad offering MC services, accents and all. A few bold performances later, her alter ego, “Annalakshmi,” was born at her dinner theatre restaurant, Chilli Kadhai.

By 2016, a parody video about her restaurant went viral and catapulted her onto South Africa’s comedy radar. MC gigs followed. Her act landed her on SA’s Got Talent and, eventually, the Kings and Queens of Comedy stage with Blu Blood.

But the universe wasn’t done testing her.

The pandemic closed her restaurant. Her marriage ended. She lost her home. And just a month after finalising her divorce, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I was devastated,” she told IOL. “But I kept performing through chemo. It gave me strength. It reminded me of my purpose.”

Annalakshmi with a Mission

Aniruth’s brand of comedy is unapologetically clean: no vulgarity, just clever family humour. As a follower of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, her values flow through her art. She once ran value-based education classes for kids. Now, she educates audiences through punchlines that bridge generations and cultural divides.

“Annalakshmi doesn’t swear. She’s always in a sari, always singing, always feisty.”

Initially, she leaned into political satire. Now, she speaks to more personal battles: parenting, people-pleasing, community struggles, and self-worth.

Her resilience isn’t performative. It’s personal.

Comedy with Healing in Every Punchline

Aniruth has become a voice for survivors of illness, abuse, heartbreak, and burnout. Through her shows, she encourages women to stop shrinking themselves and start choosing themselves.

“I don’t compare myself to others,” she said. “I stay authentic. Comedy is my way of healing and helping others do the same.”

Later this year, she’ll tour KZN with a new show, “Annalakshmi and the Members,” bringing her empowering comedy to more local communities.

But no matter where she performs, she ends her sets with a message, not for laughs, but for life:

“Be kind to yourself. Speak gently to yourself, even in your head.”