Zakir Khan has chosen to take a break from stand-up comedy. The comedian revealed the decision in a recent interview, saying that he is reevaluating his lifestyle due to health concerns and a genetic sickness history in his family. He acknowledged the physical and mental toll that years of constant labour had taken and said that he needed to prioritise relaxation and recuperation. Read on to know more about why Zakir Khan has taken this decision that has stunned his fans!
Zakir Khan announces he is taking a break
Zakir Khan revealed his impending hiatus from stand-up comedy last week. While performing live in Hyderabad as part of his current Papa Yaar tour, he made the announcement. Zakir told an enthusiastic audience that, after finishing his present work, he may take a hiatus lasting several years, possibly until 2028, 2029, or even 2030. He said he has to prioritise his health and his personal life, which is why he has made this decision.
Khan said, "It will be a break of three, four, or five years to take care of my health and to sort out a few other things. Everyone present here tonight is very close to my heart. Your presence means more to me than you can imagine, and I will always be grateful to all of you. Thank you so much."
In addition, Khan announced on Instagram that all of his gigs up until June 20 will be a party. In the days following the show's airing, Khan revealed the seriousness of his decision to step away. In an interview with Gulf News, Zakir discussed the negative effects of his work ethic on his health and revealed that he is susceptible to several hereditary diseases that often manifest themselves after a certain age. Zakir explained, "I need to take care of my health. There are certain genetic illnesses in my family that tend to surface after a particular age. On top of that, I’ve damaged my body myself, sleeping for just two hours and then going on to meet thousands of people. Because the moment you land in a city, you immediately start meeting people."
Khan opened up about the weight of duty that comes with being the first in his family to achieve such massive success, both for himself and for the generations to come, with whom he aspires to "build some bridges." Zakir acknowledged that this emotion prompted him to put his job before everything else for almost ten years, a choice that is now beginning to impact his physical well-being. In his words, "the body is bound to take a hit" after ten years of constant acceleration. He added, "When you keep your foot on the accelerator for ten straight years, the body is bound to take a hit. So I initially thought I'd manage health alongside work. But last year, when we were in the US, I realised that it wouldn't be possible to do both together. That's when I made this decision."
From humble beginnings to a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden!
Zakir Khan comes from a home of talented artists! His father and grandfather were musicians; they played their instruments to heal the whole and console the broken, how Zakir heals with his words! He was born into a family of musicians. Born on August 20, 1987, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Zakir Khan is the grandson of sarangi maestro and Padma Shri Awardee Ustad Moinuddin Khan. His mother, Kusum, was a homemaker, and he had brothers Zeeshan and Arbaaz, as well as a supportive father, a music teacher. Zakir Khan not only inherited the family name but also invigorated it with his innovative shayari and stand-up routines.
In Zakir's humble Indore home, the sound of sitar and sarangi filled the air as he grew up. He could have been a sitar maestro with his diploma, but he was drawn to comedy and literature instead. Even though his Hindi-Urdu heritage made him feel out of place at open mics in Delhi, he hustled still, penning for radio and excelling on NDTV's The Rising Stars of Comedy. After each setback, his father's unfaltering trust helped him turn his "Sakht Launda" determination into mirth.
Through it all, Zakir remained resolute and claimed the world. At cafes, he did more than play music; he sat down with the crowd, listened to their tales, and found humour and significance in their hardships. His breakout performance was in 2012 on India's Best Stand Up, which aired on Comedy Central. He then co-hosted On Air with AIB, served as a mentor on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, and judged Comicstaan Season 2. Millennials found comfort in his openness; his songs of self-love were accompanied by tales of tragedy, family strife, and laughter and tears. Not long ago, he achieved a historic milestone: he was one of the rare Indian performers to sell out a Madison Square Garden performance!