Comedian quits ₹42 LPA corporate job: ‘I’ve never felt this much manly before’
Social media users shared a range of opinions on Shivam Lakhanpal's decision to trade his high salary for personal happiness.
A social media user is winning hearts after detailing the psychological toll of his ₹42 lakh salary. The corporate employee-turned-standup comic revealed in a viral video that despite the high pay, he felt "needy" and unworthy of his own success, ultimately deciding that money cannot be the true measure of a man's wealth.

“It was a good pay cheque but ‘Aur, weekend kaisa tha?’ Nahi suna kaafi dinon se so that makes it all worth it [How was your weekend? Haven’t heard it for quite some time and that makes it all worth it],” Shivam Lakhanpal wrote.
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Lakhanpal shared a video that opens with a text insert reading, “I quit my 42 LPA job.” In the video, he says, “The measure of a man’s wealth can’t be money man, I know it can’t be money.”
He continues, “I quit my corporate job a few months ago, and it paid me ₹42 lakh per annum.” He goes on to explain how he was a “needy” guy while working at the office. He recalled that when he sat in his ₹18 lakh car for the first time after buying it while still at the job, he felt he didn’t deserve it. “I didn’t feel manly enough to drive the own car that I have purchased”
However, things soon changed for him after he left his job. Lakhanpal explained that he is now happier, and the change shows on his face. He even loves taking rides in the same car. “I drive it like a Batmobile.
What did social media say?
An individual expressed, “You've transformed into this charming, vibrant person, too. Look at the before and after! Such tranquillity.” Another commented, “You’re a beautiful man in ways that bring me so much unadulterated joy that it’s hard to contain it. You might be the closest thing to the physical manifestation of the type of true warmth that I want myself to have when I’m your age. Thank you for being.”
Also Read: Man resigns from ₹6 crore job after wife asks for ₹15 lakh monthly maintenance, court steps in
A third posted, “The most healed life is when you get free will, an artistic type of life - creating, healing & sharing in your own way.” A fourth wrote, “Broo. This is me right now! I'm loving this phase. Feels like something else.”
ABOUT THE AUTHORTrisha SenguptaTrisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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