This Khan may not be muscular but is definitely popular as he has a knack for tickling the funny bone. .
Hailing from Indore, Zakir Khan emerged on the scene after winning Comedy Central’s India’s Best Stand-up Comedian title in 2012 and has not looked back ever since.
A trained sitarist and budding writer, Zakir is eager to see his book published by next year.
Excerpts:
Tell us about your journey from Indore to becoming a YouTube sensation
Lord Krishna was born to Devaki but it was Yashodha, who brought him up. So whenever someone asks me this question I say, “Indore meri Devaki hai aur Dilli meri Yashodha.” I started my journey to Delhi as Zakir Khan, a B.Com graduate in search of job in general class compartment with 1000 rupee note in my pocket. When it was time to leave Delhi, I was flying in business class to Mumbai. Delhi made me struggle as it took a year to find a job but this was also where the comedian in me found an expression.
What made you realise that comedy is your calling?
When I relocated to Delhi, I was in search of something to pay my bills. My roommate told me about a comedy gig he had visited and thought that I should try and that I will be good at it. I gave it a shot and it turned out to be great. It made me feel happy so that's how I started stand-up comedy.
What is your take on stand-up comedy in India?
From past six-seven years stand-up comedy has gained popularity in our country and YouTube has played a major role in it. We did have comedy shows on television before. Even I have been a part of a few. But today the platform is vast and slowly the circuit is growing.
Nurturing has always been a gradual process and if you look at the current scenario this generation is enjoying stand-up comedy . There is a long way to go but before that our society needs to start accepting change. You always grow with time. New generation comes along with new ideology and rather than criticising one’s perspective we need to respect it because that’s how new ideas evolve.
What do you feel about comedians, who cross the line in the name of humour?
I don't understand why women and comedians in our country are always asked to stay in line. One can brutally murder a person out of anger but if you joke about it, it turns out to be a bigger crime than the murder itself.
Internet gives more liberty to stand-up artists. How do you use it?
I agree that we have complete freedom of expression . But the question is not about the liberty given to us or how do we handle it, as we simply say what society wants us to say. An artist’s work is a reflection of society and being a comedian I put your thoughts in words after adding a layer of humour to it.
As for drawing a line, Internet is a very personal medium unlike watching a film in theatre where you are accompanied by others. When you watch television, you usually watch it with your family. But with Internet all that you need is you and your laptop.
When you click some YouTube channel it’s you who are coming to us, it’s your choice whether you want to watch it or not. So, it won’t be fair to complain about the language being used.
Having learnt sitar, are you a musician or a comedian by heart?
I am an artist at by heart. I love music because I was born with it. My grandfather and my father both play sitar. I bond with art emotionally because of which I cannot categorise myself as a musician or a comedian. I am an artist who is trying to create an identity through his work .
What’s your message to budding comedians?
“Dekho bhai passion par bojh na bano” (Don’t be a burden on passion). There are times that you might want to quit your job because you hate your boss but that does not mean that you want to be a comedian, writer or a painter.
So, please evaluate what you want in life. If a person is good at something, eventually he will end up in that field.
