Stand-up comedian Zakir Khan has announced that he will be stepping away from comedy for an extended period to prioritise his health. The announcement was made during a recent performance in Hyderabad as part of his ongoing stand-up special Papa Yaar. Reported by Screen.
A video clip from the show, now widely shared on social media, captures Zakir addressing the audience and opening up about his decision to take a long hiatus. He told the crowd,
“I’m going on a long, long break.
Probably till 2028–29, or even 2030. It will be a break of three, four, or five years to take care of my health and to sort out a few other things.
So everyone present here right now is very close to my heart. Your presence means more to me than you can imagine, and I will always be grateful to all of you. Thank you so much.”
The comedian later reinforced the announcement through his Instagram Stories on Tuesday afternoon. After landing in Dubai, Zakir shared a message suggesting that the decision was final. He wrote,
“Every show is a celebration till June 20. I won’t be able to come to many cities this time, so please make a little extra effort and come to the shows. Thank you for all the love.”
This is not the first time Zakir Khan has spoken publicly about his health struggles. Earlier last year, he revealed that he had been unwell for over a year but continued performing due to professional commitments.
He reflected on the physical toll of his demanding schedule, which included years of constant touring, multiple daily performances, frequent travel, and irregular routines.
In an earlier Instagram post, Zakir had shared,
“I’ve been touring for the last ten years. Though I’m extremely blessed to receive your love and affection, touring this extensively is not good or healthy.
Trying to satisfy everyone you meet, doing two to three shows in a day, sleepless nights, early morning flights, and no fixed timetable for meals. I’ve been unwell for a year, but I had to work because it felt important at the time.”
He further explained the emotional difficulty behind the decision to pause his career, writing,
“I absolutely love being on stage, but I’ll have to take a break now. I didn’t want to, and I’ve been ignoring this for a year. But now I feel that before it’s too late, I should take the break.
That’s why this time the India tour will be limited to a few cities. I won’t be able to add more shows, and after recording this special, I’ve been advised to go on a long break.”
Zakir Khan’s announcement has prompted an outpouring of support from fans, many of whom have praised his honesty and encouraged him to prioritise his well-being after nearly a decade of relentless touring.
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