Stand-up comedian Zakir Khan has made history by becoming the first Indian comedian to perform a Hindi-language show at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City. The comedian, who is beloved across India for his relatable humor and ‘sakth launda’ persona, shared this emotional moment with his fans on Instagram.
Describing it as a ‘big day’, Zakir expressed how overwhelming it was to perform for ‘6,000 people with Hindi comedy.’ He extended his gratitude to his friends and team for their support during what he referred to as a ‘special milestone.’
Among those who cheered him on were notable personalities. He mentioned that his friend, celebrity chef Vikas Khanna, and actor Kal Penn attended to support him, which made the evening even more memorable.
A portion of his post stated, ‘I am still processing… Thode din baad theek se bataunga kaisa laga. Abhi ke liye samajh lo ki it was a big day, not just because of the venue or capacity, but because some of my favourite people were in the audience that day.’
‘@vikaskhannagroup bhai, who is opening the best restaurants in the world, called @bungalowny in New York. @kalpenn bhai, he left his rehearsal just to support me,’ Zakir wrote.
‘Anjaan desh, paraye logon ke beech itna pyar karne wale log mil gaye, aur kya hi chahiye. Log bahut door-door se drive kar ke aaye the, bahut se log toh 2-3 ghante ki flight se bhi aaye the. Main yeh sab kabhi bhool nahi paunga. It was big for me, for comedy in India, and for our desi culture here,’ he added. Prior to the show, Zakir’s poster illuminated Times Square billboards, and he even made appearances on U.S. media outlets, highlighting the significance of this moment for Indian comedy.
His friend, the renowned chef Vikas Khanna, also expressed heartfelt sentiments prior to the performance. He referred to Zakir’s achievement as a “dream come true,” stating, “God is gracious to those who show kindness. This dream is materializing as the entire world observes our boy making history tonight. Although I typically remain at Bungalow, today, out of love and respect for this individual, I will join the audience to support him as he steps onto the stage, paving the way for countless children to follow.
Zakir Khan initially gained recognition in 2012 by winning Comedy Central’s “India’s Best Stand-Up” competition. Since that time, he has cultivated a substantial following both in India and internationally.
