Artist Bio:
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 an 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 in 2019 alone, his has been an incredible journey.
Zakir’s approach to comedy is anecdotal, personal and heartfelt, and his delivery is 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 5 million on YouTube and 1.4 million on Instagram. But more impressive than these numbers is the reaction of his legions of fans during one of his live shows - be it at a small comedy club in Mumbai, a sold-out auditorium performance in Delhi, or even to an adoring diaspora in the 20 countries he has performed in.
Local tip
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Arrive early and explore the Aotea Arts Quarter. The Civic, Auckland Town Hall, Q Theatre and plenty of dining options are all within a short walk.
Getting there
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Aotea Centre is in Aotea Square on Queen Street, in the heart of the city centre. Te Waihorotiu Station is nearby, with frequent bus services along Queen Street and surrounding streets. If driving, The Civic Car Park is the closest option. For more transport information, check out our Getting Around page.
More info
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