Standup comedian Zakir Khan calls not getting a job the most fortunate thing in his life. What he learned from his 2.5 years of struggle?

Stand-up comedian Zakir Khan, the Sakht Launda, first gained recognition in 2012 after he won Comedy Central's India's Best Stand-Up Comedian competition. He has delievered hit stand-up specials like Haq Se Single, Kaksha Gyarvi, Tathastu, Mannpasand, and Delulu Express, among others. He also charted history by becoming the first Indian stand-up comedian to perform at Madison Square Garden with 6,000 audience. While he is considered to be one of the top comedians in the country, his journey to this fame was riddled with challenges.

In an interview with Nikhil Dwivedi, Zakir Khan recalled moving to Delhi against his father's wishes in 2008 and spent about three years trying to find work. The comedian from Madhya Pradesh, hails from a rich musical heritage. He is the grandson of the legendary sarangi maestro Ustad Moinuddin Khan. He even pursued a diploma degree in sitar. As of August 2025, Zakir Khan's estimated net worth was Rs 26.6 crore, according to Sovrenn. But, there was a time when he had debts to pay off.

Zakir Khan calls not getting a job his biggest blessing

Asked about the biggest turning point in his life, Zakir said there was no single defining moment. But, he described not getting a job as one of the most painful experiences at the time, but said it later turned out to be a “blessing in disguise”. The comedian wanted to become a radio jockey. However, he felt that if he had secured the job, he might have settled in a city and continued working there instead of becoming a comedian.

He revealed that he moved to Delhi in 2008 despite opposition from his family and finally got a job in 2011. So, how did he survive the two and a half years? Zakir Khan said, "Ek attitude hota hai, aur ek intent hota hai (With attitude and intent)." He explained that earning from the age of 14, and coming from a musical family where he played the Sitar, his upbringing gave him the attitude and confidence to deal with cirumstances that life threw at him.

Did he celebrate his first salary?

Zakir Khan recalled that after his first salary was credited, it barely left him with any money to celebrate since he had debts to pay off. He had to pay for rent and food, whose bills had piled up. Finally, there came a day, when he needed Rs 500 for an entry ticket to test his skills at a comedy event, and he had a Rs 500 note to spare.

Zakir Khan reveals why he moved from music to comedy

Despite coming from a musical family and earning through music from a young age, Zakir eventually chose comedy. He stated that his father, was a quiet and reserved person. But, he wanted a son, who was always talking, like a parrot, who would keep talking. He concluded that his father's wish for a talkative son eventually fit perfectly with his career in comedy.