Let's talk about a comedian who is a master storyteller!

His comedy is slice-of-life stories told hilariously...

Hello,

I hope you enjoyed my last week’s newsletter on humour in marketing copy.

As someone who gets obsessed with things, I got obsessed with the idea of how humour can help say difficult things and trigger strong emotions.

I started thinking about stand-up comedians who had these magical powers. And my mind went straight to the one and only ‘Zakir Khan’.

He is one of the comedians I religiously follow as my storytelling guide. His ability to connect with audiences through his stories transcends geographical and socio-economic barriers.

Listening to Zakir's sets feels like you're having tea with a close friend as he recounts tales from his life, whether it's growing up in a boys' school or his most recent breakup.

But what sets him apart is his mastery of weaving words to build a narrative that hooks the audience from start to finish. He effortlessly navigates between humour and heartbreak, leaving you feeling a rollercoaster of emotions - happy, sad, nostalgic, and longing. It's a complete experience that lingers long after the show is over.

Here are some storytelling lessons we can learn from Zakir’s comedy:

He doesn’t hide his insecurity

Whether he is trying to woo an English-speaking girl or trying to act cool at an aiport, all of Zakir’s sets revolve around his insecurity as a middle-class, average-looking, small towner navigating a big city.

He is honest about his insecurities and this is what makes him so endearing to his audience.

I mean having insecurities is very human and we can all relate.

He is honest

I think Zakir’s raw honesty is the backbone of his success as a comedian and storyteller.

He understands very well that his audience can detect insincerity from a mile away. This is the reason all of his stories are about his personal experiences.

Every story he shares feels genuine and authentic, even when it seems exaggerated. His honesty allows the audience to connect with him on a deeper level.

He loves talking to people

In one of his recent interviews I listened to, Zakir endearingly says, ‘I learnt from my parents ki logo ko apna kaise banate hain (how to win people over)… sara khel baat cheet ka hai (it’s all about conversations).

He finds inspiration in the everyday people he meets. He says he’s often late because he might start a conversation with a driver and get interested in his life.

I think this is one of the reasons his storytelling is so grounded and ‘massy’.

Zakir’s comedy is close to heart and that’s why I wanted to write about it.

Until next time.

Have fun writing funny,

Ahsan