Stand up comedian Zakir Khan announces break from comedy, opens up about battling genetic illnesses: ‘Have damaged my body myself’

Zakir Khan has decided to step away from the comedy scene for a while. In a recent interview, the comedian shared that the move comes after health-related concerns and a family history of genetic illnesses made him reconsider his pace of life. Admitting that years of nonstop work have affected him physically, he said it’s time to focus on rest and recovery.

Zakir Khan opens up about health struggles

In a conversation with Gulf News, Zakir Khan opened up about the health issues that led him to take a break, mentioning that some of these problems are hereditary. “I need to take care of my health. There are certain genetic illnesses in my family that tend to surface after a particular age. On top of that, I’ve damaged my body myself, sleeping for just two hours and then going on to meet thousands of people. Because the moment you land in a city, you immediately start meeting people,” he said.

Zakir Khan talks about responsibility and burnout

Khan shared that being the first in his family to find success on such a large scale comes with a deep sense of responsibility—not only toward himself but also toward future generations, for whom he hopes to “build some bridges.” Zakir admitted that this feeling drove him to prioritize work above everything else for nearly a decade, a decision that has now started to affect his health. “When you keep your foot on the accelerator for ten straight years, the body is bound to take a hit. So I initially thought I’d manage health alongside work. But last year, when we were in the US, I realised that it wouldn’t be possible to do both together. That’s when I made this decision,” he added.

Zakir Khan clarifies viral clip from Hyderabad show

A viral video from Zakir Khan’s Hyderabad show shows him saying he’ll be away from stand-up until around 2030. But in a later interview, Zakir clarified that he was only referring to Hyderabad, explaining that after taking a break and getting back to work, it might take some time before he performs there again.

Zakir Khan makes announcement

Last week, Zakir Khan announced that he would be taking a long break from comedy. The announcement came during his live show in Hyderabad, which is part of his ongoing Papa Yaar tour. Speaking to a full house, Zakir shared that his break could last several years, possibly until 2028, 2029, or even 2030, after completing his current projects. He explained that the decision comes from his need to focus on his health and personal life.

"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. Everyone present here tonight 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," Zakir Khan said. Khan also shared on Instagram that all his shows until June 20 would be part of a celebration.