In an exclusive interview, G Plus caught up with 'Sakht Launda' stand-up comedian Zakir Khan in Guwahati to discuss his comedy career, the comedy industry in general and his thoughts on Guwahati.
1. Since when have you been a “Sakht Launda?”
The basic idea of “Sakht Launda” is a way to avoid rejection. Lot of times, people aren’t even interested in you romantically but they sweet talk you to get their work done. Because of this, you end up having high hopes and it damages your personality a lot. I’m not saying that you should not approach anyone, it’s just that sometimes the reactions of other people really damages your personality, and it takes a long time to repair it. Things like love, if it happens naturally, then that’s a good thing. So that’s why I thought I’ll become a “sakht launda” and I’ve been a “sakht launda” since then.
2. What is the stand-up industry scene like?
Industry scene is good, we get a lot of people who come to our shows. One of the best things is that there’s work for everyone. If you’re hard-working, if your work is good, in an industry like this, where there’s already a lot of people, you'll find a lot of work in the Comedy industry.
3. Who is your favorite Indian comedian?
Right now, I really like Pratyush Chaubey, Rahul Dua, Nishant Suri, Varun Grover. There’s an english stand-up comic, Anubhav Pal, he’s very good, I really like him. I really enjoy Amit Tandon’s work as well. These are some of my favorite comedians.
4. When did you start this journey?
I started my journey in 2011. That year, I went to an open-mic and performed a one and a half minute set and the people there said no. They were making the “finist it” sign with their hands. On 5 December, 2011 I performed my first open-mic set. So it’s been 8-9 years.
5. Did you have a plan to be in this profession?
In 2010, I had a roommate in Delhi, he had gone to a comedy show and he came back and told me that this was a very good thing and that I would do very well in this. So it took me one year to prepare. At that time, it would cost Rs 500 for a first-time perfomer at the open-mic. And I didn’t have Rs. 500, so I got a job, paid off my debt and then in December, I went and saved some money and performed my first set. It was not a plan, but circumstances led me to it and it happened.
6. What are your thoughts about your job in the future?
I will be doing this in the future also. This is my work and I’ll continue doing this. It’s not yet confirmed, but I’m writing the second season for my show “Chacha Vidhayak” and there’s a new comedy special coming up, haven’t named it yet, but that’s what I’ll be performing in Guwahati.
7. What is the most interesting thing about being a stand-up comedian?
The most interesting part, the first time that you go on stage and when you get your first laugh, that feeling, there’s nothing bigger than that, nothing can beat that feeling. I’ve never done drugs in my life so I don’t know, but in my life, all my experiences, I’ve never had more fun doing anything else. I think that’s the most interesting part and maybe that’s why everyone does it. Some people get money, some don’t. Some like it, some don’t. In Spite of that you will notice that there are a thousand people lining up to do comedy, maybe that is the main reason for that.
8. Have you come to Guwahati before? How does it feel?
It feels really good, it’s started to feel like home already. I’ve been here so many times. I’ve already developed an interest in different kinds of tea flavors. I have started my own research on the life of tea-testers, learning new facts about them. I think it’s almost a home now, it’s really beautiful. If I’m able to earn some money, I’ll buy a house here.
