Stand-up comic, poet, storyteller Zakir Khan is guest at Adda today

Born and raised in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, into a Rajasthani Muslim family steeped in classical music — his grandfather, Ustad Moinuddin Khan, was a celebrated sarangi maestro — Zakir Khan’s early years were shaped by rigorous musical training. He even has a diploma in sitar. He later studied biotechnology but eventually dropped out of college, moved to Delhi where he worked as a radio producer and also performed at open mics late into the night.

His breakthrough came in 2012 when he won Comedy Central’s ‘India’s best stand-up comedian’ contest, setting the stage for a career that would go on to redefine mainstream comedy in the country.

Initially, Khan earned fame for his punchline “Sakht Launda”, a humorous reference to a man with stoic self-control who resists romantic advances, which struck a chord with young audiences. Over time, however, his work evolved well beyond the catchphrase. Stand-up specials such as “Haq Se Single”, “Kaksha Gyarvi”, “Tathastu”, “Mannpasand” and “Delulu Express” revealed a confessional, story-driven style that resonated across age groups and geographies. Delivered largely in Hindi, his comedy expanded both the language and emotional vocabulary of Indian stand-up.

What sets Khan apart is his ease with vulnerability. As confidently as he delivers a punchline, he embraces pauses and silences. His stories often draw from personal failures, unfulfilled love and middle-class anxieties, allowing audiences to see themselves reflected on stage. In doing so, he has helped shift Indian comedy away from quick laughs towards long-form, narrative-driven storytelling.

That relatability is also why many of his fans see his success as their own. When Khan performed at Madison Square Garden in August, it felt, to many, like a shared milestone. A line from his poetry, “Ab ghar se nikle hain toh itihas likh kar hi jayenge” (Now that we have left home, we will script history), flooded social media as fans celebrated the history he scripted that night.

Earlier this year, he signed a nationwide stand-up tour spanning over 60 cities. Khan is currently touring the country with his popular Papa Yaar tour, with several shows sold out or close to selling out. Alongside, he continues to tour internationally, including performances across the US and at Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.

Beyond the stage also, Khan has built a substantial body of work across formats. He created and starred in the Amazon Prime Video series “Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare” and “Farzi Mushaira”, and hosted “Aapka Apna Zakir” on Sony Entertainment Television.