NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
New York City, NY, August 21, 2025: Indian comedian Zakir Khan made history this weekend by becoming the first Indian stand-up artist to perform an all-Hindi comedy set at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden (MSG). The sold-out show, part of his North American tour, drew nearly 6,000 fans, marking a breakthrough moment for Indian comedy on the global stage.
Known for his earthy humor and the popular “Sakht Launda” persona, Khan has built a loyal fan base by weaving everyday struggles, cultural quirks, and heartfelt storytelling into his comedy. On Sunday, his signature style resonated powerfully with the diverse crowd, many of whom celebrated the performance as a cultural milestone.
The evening also carried moments of deep emotion. In one of the highlights, Khan paused mid-show to video-call his parents in India, proudly showing them the packed arena. The heartfelt gesture went viral on social media, with fans hailing it as “the best clip on the internet.”
Indian American comedian Hasan Minhaj, who was in the audience, called the performance a “historic night for comedy,” joking that his own parents might love Zakir more now. Bollywood star Nitanshi Goel praised Khan as a “kamaal insaan” for blending humor with humility.
Khan’s journey to MSG is a story of persistence. Raised in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, in a family of classical musicians, he trained in the sitar before turning to comedy. His big break came in 2012 when he won Comedy Central’s “India’s Best Stand-Up Comedian.” Since then, he has released several hit specials on Amazon Prime Video, including Haq Se Single and Tathastu, and created the web series Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare.
The Madison Square Garden performance cements Khan’s place among the global comedy elite, not only as a performer but also as a representative of Hindi-language humor on the world stage.
Cover images courte3sy: Amul Ad/Hasan Minhaj/ IG.
