BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN*
Atlanta, GA, September 24, 2025: Being a huge Zakir Khan fan, I still remember the moment back in May when I first came to know he was coming to my city, Atlanta, in September. I immediately jumped and booked tickets for me and my parents. Zakir Khan has a unique way of blending comedy with family values, especially when it comes to parents, so I knew it was going to be special. What I didn’t know at the time was that the show’s name was Papa Yaar—a performance dedicated to the father-son relationship.
When Zakir walked on stage and revealed that the whole show was about Papa, I felt an instant connection as I was sitting there with my own Papa. While the father-son dynamic is different from the father-daughter one, I knew this was still going to be memorable. Throughout the evening, we laughed together as a family. My mom was in tears at many moments, and I’d be lying if I said my own eyes didn’t well up too, though I was busy hiding it in plain sight. That’s the beauty of Zakir Khan—he makes you laugh first, and then the emotions sink in.
“I never knew Atlanta was a city”
On September 20th, Zakir Khan performed Papa Yaar at the Atlanta Symphony Hall as part of his U.S. tour. He had two shows, one at 2 p.m. and another at 7 p.m., and both were completely sold out. Compared to his historic Madison Square Garden show in New York, Atlanta may have felt like a walk in the park for him, but for us, it was an unforgettable night.
At one point, Zakir joked, “I never knew Atlanta was a city,” and the hall erupted with laughter. As an Atlantan, I admit it stung a little, but that’s his charm—he makes you laugh first, and the deeper punch hits later.
The audience was a lively mix of the South Asian community in America. When Zakir asked how many people were from Pakistan, the cheers were so loud that I’d guess at least 25–30% of the crowd was Pakistani. Zakir, being the global performer he is, tailored his script to be country-neutral, so everyone could relate—Indian or not.
A Show That Blended Comedy with Emotion
Papa Yaar was almost three hours long, with a small break in between. Zakir never roasts his audience like many other comedians do, which makes his shows feel warm and welcoming. He shared stories about his bond with his father, his life with his roommate Vishwas Sharma, his best friend from Indore—Kuntal, and even the Harvard girl (a story familiar to his longtime fans).
He also touched on the everyday ironies and challenges NRIs face in the U.S., and the crowd couldn’t stop laughing. What made the night so powerful was that he balanced humor with heartfelt moments, giving us reasons to both laugh and tear up.
Opening the evening was Rajiv Nema Indori, who brought his own witty take on family dynamics and set the perfect tone before Zakir came on stage.
Zakir’s U.S. Tour
Zakir Khan’s Papa Yaar tour is traveling across North America, with stops in Detroit, Calgary, Edmonton, Phoenix, and more. After his sold-out Madison Square Garden performance, this tour is proof that Hindi stand-up comedy has gone truly global. His shows are not just recycled jokes—they’re evolving stories that mix real-life experiences with his unique brand of relatable humor.
In every city, tickets are selling out quickly, and audiences are walking away describing the shows as magical, raw, and unforgettable. Papa Yaar is more than a comedy show; it’s a reminder of how universal family stories are, no matter where you come from.
Shayari, Papa, and a Lasting Memory
As always, Zakir ended the evening in his signature style with heartfelt shayari. He recited his famous sher, so apt for NRI life:
“Lahu ke the jo rishte, unhe chhod ke aa gaye,
Sukun aakhon ke samare tha muh mod ke aa gaye.
Aur khazaane lut rahe the maa baap ki chaaon mein,
Hum kodiyon ki khatir ghar chor kar aa gaye.”
The hall fell silent for a moment, the words hitting deep. And before he left, he gave us all one simple request: “Thank your Papa. We share so much of our lives with our mothers, but we rarely thank our fathers.”
After the show, the very first thing I did was turn to my Papa and thank him. Sitting there, I felt so lucky because in America, where many NRIs often feel a certain emptiness being away from family, I had the chance to experience this unforgettable evening with my father by my side.
A Pro Tip
Here’s a little tip for anyone attending future shows in downtown Atlanta: always go for valet parking if it’s available. This time I did, and trust me, it saved me a lot of stress. The price difference wasn’t huge, and my evening felt so much smoother because of it.
Final Thoughts
The Atlanta stop of Zakir Khan’s Papa Yaar tour was more than just a comedy show—it was an experience filled with laughter, nostalgia, and family bonds. Zakir’s ability to make us laugh while also touching our hearts is what makes him stand apart. For Atlanta’s South Asian community and comedy lovers alike, September 20th was truly a night to remember.
