Stand-up comedian Zakir Khan has revealed that he will be stepping away from comedy for several years to focus on his health and personal life. The announcement came during his ongoing Papa Yaar tour in Hyderabad, where he spoke directly to the audience about his plans.

“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,” he told the crowd, his voice tinged with emotion.

He later reinforced the decision through Instagram after a performance in Dubai, sharing that his tour would continue only until June 20. “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,” he wrote.

This decision comes after years of relentless touring. Khan has previously shared that performing multiple shows a day, coping with early-morning flights, irregular meals, and sleepless nights over nearly a decade had taken a serious toll on his health.

Zakir Khan Cites Exhausting Tours, Health Issues

“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 wrote in an Instagram post last year.

Despite the physical strain, his love for performing remains strong. “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,” he said.

Fans have expressed mixed emotions about the news, sending messages of support and wishing him well. Known for his relatable storytelling and his iconic Sakht Launda persona, Zakir has entertained audiences across India and abroad. His career took off after winning Comedy Central’s India’s Best Stand Up in 2012. Since then, he has released five hour-long specials on Prime Video and starred in the series Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare.

While the comedian has not set a return date, his multi-year hiatus highlights the increasing focus among performers on balancing career demands with health and personal life.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store – https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share