Mumbai : A new wave of Muslim stand-up comedians is redefining humor in India and beyond, blending faith, identity, and everyday struggles with laughter, reported the Times of India.
Recently, Zakir Khan created history by becoming the first comedian to perform a Hindi stand-up show at Madison Square Garden in New York. His achievement, however, is part of a broader trend where Muslim voices are finding global recognition in the comedy scene.
Among these rising names is Rehman Khan, a comedian from Kurla, Mumbai. Known for his sharp wit and playful digs at stereotypes about Muslims, his set titled “Miyan Bhai Khana and Kurla” — filled with “tandoori-roasted, biryani-laced, full-spice” humor — has already gained nearly three lakh views on YouTube.
Rehman’s jokes often turn prejudice on its head. “They say Muslims are the most unemployed. Others claim Muslims are the most backward. Still others insist Muslims are the most uneducated. But judging by the mushrooming eateries in Muslim areas, it seems Muslims are simply the most hungry,” he quips in one of his popular routines.
With audiences responding enthusiastically both online and offline, these performers are not just entertaining but also challenging stereotypes, giving new dimensions to Muslim identity in India’s cultural landscape.
