BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN*

Atlanta, GA, September 24, 2025: Being an enormous Zakir Khan fan, I nonetheless keep in mind the second again in Could after I first got here to know he was coming to my metropolis, Atlanta, in September. I instantly jumped and booked tickets for me and my dad and mom. Zakir Khan has a novel approach of mixing comedy with household values, particularly in relation to dad and mom, so I knew it was going to be particular. What I didn’t know on the time was that the present’s identify was Papa Yaar—a efficiency devoted to the father-son relationship.

When Zakir walked on stage and revealed that the entire present was about Papa, I felt an on the spot connection as I used to be sitting there with my very own Papa. Whereas the father-son dynamic is totally different from the father-daughter one, I knew this was nonetheless going to be memorable. All through the night, we laughed collectively as a household. My mother was in tears at many moments, and I’d be mendacity if I mentioned my very own eyes didn’t effectively up too, although I used to be busy hiding it in plain sight. That’s the great thing about Zakir Khan—he makes you giggle first, after which the feelings sink in.

“I by no means knew Atlanta was a metropolis”

On September twentieth, Zakir Khan carried out Papa Yaar on the Atlanta Symphony Corridor as a part of his U.S. tour. He had two exhibits, one at 2 p.m. and one other at 7 p.m., and each have been utterly bought out. In comparison with his historic Madison Sq. Backyard present in New York, Atlanta could have felt like a stroll within the park for him, however for us, it was an unforgettable evening.

At one level, Zakir joked, “I by no means knew Atlanta was a metropolis,” and the corridor erupted with laughter. As an Atlantan, I admit it stung somewhat, however that’s his attraction—he makes you giggle first, and the deeper punch hits later.

The viewers was a full of life mixture of the South Asian group in America. When Zakir requested how many individuals have been from Pakistan, the cheers have been so loud that I’d guess at the very least 25–30% of the gang was Pakistani. Zakir, being the worldwide performer he’s, tailor-made his script to be country-neutral, so everybody may relate—Indian or not.

A Present That Blended Comedy with Emotion

Papa Yaar was nearly three hours lengthy, with a small break in between. Zakir by no means roasts his viewers like many different comedians do, which makes his exhibits really feel heat and welcoming. He shared tales about his bond along with his father, his life along with his roommate Vishwas Sharma, his finest good friend from Indore—Kuntal, and even the Harvard woman (a narrative acquainted to his longtime followers).

He additionally touched on the on a regular basis ironies and challenges NRIs face within the U.S., and the gang couldn’t cease laughing. What made the evening so highly effective was that he balanced humor with heartfelt moments, giving us causes to each giggle and tear up.

Opening the night was Rajiv Nema Indori, who introduced his personal witty tackle household dynamics and set the right tone earlier than Zakir got here on stage.

Zakir’s U.S. Tour

Zakir Khan’s Papa Yaar tour is touring throughout North America, with stops in Detroit, Calgary, Edmonton, Phoenix, and extra. After his sold-out Madison Sq. Backyard efficiency, this tour is proof that Hindi stand-up comedy has gone really world. His exhibits should not simply recycled jokes—they’re evolving tales that blend real-life experiences along with his distinctive model of relatable humor.

In each metropolis, tickets are promoting out shortly, and audiences are strolling away describing the exhibits as magical, uncooked, and unforgettable. Papa Yaar is greater than a comedy present; it’s a reminder of how common household tales are, regardless of the place you come from.

Shayari, Papa, and a Lasting Reminiscence

As all the time, Zakir ended the night in his signature fashion with heartfelt shayari. He recited his well-known sher, so apt for NRI life:

“Lahu ke the jo rishte, unhe chhod ke aa gaye,
Sukun aakhon ke samare tha muh mod ke aa gaye.

Aur khazaane lut rahe the maa baap ki chaaon mein,

Hum kodiyon ki khatir ghar chor kar aa gaye.”

The corridor fell silent for a second, the phrases hitting deep. And earlier than he left, he gave us all one easy request: “Thank your Papa. We share a lot of our lives with our moms, however we hardly ever thank our fathers.”

After the present, the very very first thing I did was flip to my Papa and thank him. Sitting there, I felt so fortunate as a result of in America, the place many NRIs usually really feel a sure vacancy being away from household, I had the prospect to expertise this unforgettable night with my father by my aspect.

A Professional Tip

Right here’s somewhat tip for anybody attending future exhibits in downtown Atlanta: all the time go for valet parking if it’s obtainable. This time I did, and belief me, it saved me lots of stress. The value distinction wasn’t enormous, and my night felt a lot smoother due to it.

Last Ideas

The Atlanta cease of Zakir Khan’s Papa Yaar tour was greater than only a comedy present—it was an expertise full of laughter, nostalgia, and household bonds. Zakir’s capability to make us giggle whereas additionally touching our hearts is what makes him stand aside. For Atlanta’s South Asian group and comedy lovers alike, September twentieth was really an evening to recollect.