Zakir Khan

To say that Zakir Khan is just a popular stand-up comedian would be to miss his larger impact entirely.

His is the most unlikely of stories – a college drop-out from Indore whose preferred medium is Hindi, breaking into a English-dominated scene.

Today, he is one of the most loved and celebrated stand-up comedians in India, once hailed by Tanmay Bhat as the country's most important stand-up act. From winning the title of ‘India's Best Stand Up' in a 2012 Comedy Central show, to selling 100,000 tickets across 72 cities with his new special Mannpasand, his has been an incredible journey.

Zakir's approach to comedy is anecdotal, personal and heartfelt, and his delivery poetic and rustic at the same time. His appeal lies in his relatability – he has often said he used humor as a shield when bullied as a child, and his stories are punctuated with phrases that have become catchphrases, including the iconic ‘sakht launda'. This has won him a massive following in a short span of time – including 7.56 million on YouTube and 5.7 million on Instagram.

Despite all the numbers, ratings and awards, perhaps his greatest achievement will be how he ushered in a new type of comedy in India, inspiring hundreds of open-micers to take to stage.

Performed in Hindi language.