iWorld
Zakir Khan shines as first Asian comedian at Royal Albert Hall
Mumbai: Zakir Khan, achieved a historic milestone in his illustrious career by becoming the first Asian comedian in the world to headline the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London with his show “Mannpasand”. Zakir’s shows at such prestigious global venues mark a significant moment for the Indian entertainment industry, which drives a shift in the industry.
This show was Zakir’s first biggest single indoor show and was held at the 152-year-old, historic Royal Albert Hall with an impressive turnout of over 5,000 fans.
The Show was supported by the talented Sindhu Vee, a UK-based Indian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer whose comic deliverance had the audience in splits, setting the perfect tone for the night. Following her act, India’s ‘Sakht Launda’, a true icon in the world of storytelling and comedy, Zakir, delighted the audience with his sharp wit and captivating on-stage poetry. The performance elicited an extraordinary response, with the longest-standing ovation lasting that made it seem like a football arena with roaring fans! This live performance solidified Khan’s position as an entertainment icon, inspiring and paving the way for other Indian comics & artists to grow while putting India’s entertainment industry on a global stage.
The diverse crowd in attendance of the live show was a testament to Khan’s universal appeal, drawing fans especially from across the South Asian diaspora, including Indians, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, Audiences travelled from Paris, Amsterdam, Birmingham and Dublin to watch the show. This marvellous occasion represented a momentous celebration for the South Asian communities as they united to celebrate an accomplished Indian, Hindi-speaking comedian on a world-renowned culturally enriching venue and stage.
Zakir Khan said, “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to perform at this historic hall of Royal Albert, which has played host to world-famous artists over the years. It feels almost surreal to see my artistic dream turn into reality. In what has become one of the most significant shows of my life, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to OML for their unwavering support in facilitating this grand occasion. I am grateful to entertain the attendees by spreading laughter and also overwhelmed by the immense love, and appreciation that I received from the fans. They have been with me through thick and thin since the early years of my career & I am eternally grateful to OML for enabling me to live my dream and share my stories and artistry with the world.”
OML Entertainment (Only Much Louder) CEO Gunjan Arya stated, “This truly marks a historic moment for Indian entertainment on a global stage. Zakir Khan’s sold-out performance at the Royal Albert Hall is not just a triumph for all of us at OML but a significant milestone for the entire industry. We’re immensely grateful to our partners at AEG, UTA, and Soho Theatre, for their instrumental partnership in making this dream a reality. We’re so overwhelmed with the responses pouring in… thrilled to see the entire community come together to celebrate this important feat. For all of us, this is just the beginning, as we look forward to more incredible venues and bigger milestones ahead.”
Zakir’s journey to London’s Royal Albert Hall is nothing short of inspirational. Having more than 1,000 shows under his touring repertoire, Zakir is a seasoned comedian. Zakir has performed at 120 shows having sold 300,000 tickets in India and 100,000 tickets internationally. His rise to fame began in 2012 after winning the title of ‘India’s Best Stand Up’ in a well-renowned comedy competition organised by Comedy Central. Since then, his widely acclaimed string of stand-up specials ‘Haq Se Single’ (2017), ‘Kaksha Gyarvi’ (2018), and ‘Tathastu’ (2022) and multiple seasons of ‘Chacha Vidhayak Hai Humare’ showcased on Amazon Prime Video, have further cemented his position as one of India’s most beloved comedians, dominating OTT platforms and not just the live arena circuit.
OML Entertainment is Zakir’s talent management agency. Rooted in a steadfast commitment to nurture and empower creative talent in India, OML has dynamically transformed into one of the prime shapers of the creator ecosystem. The company’s stand-up comedy talents have been further pushing the envelope, exploring diverse avenues with the aim to place comedy at the core and this step has allowed the platform to continue retaining its position as a pop-cultural mainstay in India. Furthermore, the past few years have seen a shift with Indian creators taking centre-stage at global events and Khan’s presence at a prestigious stage such as the Royal Albert Hall is a testament to OML’s relentless efforts in creating umpteen opportunities for its talent pool, catapulting their creators onto the global stage, and thus, effectively shaping the Indian pop-culture landscape.
iWorld
Why Peaky Blinders is one of television’s biggest hits that still deserves more attention
Six seasons, multiple awards and the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man bring the Shelby saga back into the spotlight
In the crowded universe of streaming content, only a handful of shows manage to leave a lasting cultural footprint. Peaky Blinders is overwhelmingly considered one of the biggest global hits of the past decade. Yet many viewers still haven’t fully explored the dark, gripping world of the Shelby family.
Originally produced for the UK’s BBC and later finding a massive global audience through Netflix, the series quietly grew from a British period drama into a worldwide streaming phenomenon.
Created by Steven Knight, the show follows the rise of the Shelby crime family in post-First World War Birmingham. What begins as a gritty street-gang story gradually expands into a sweeping narrative about ambition, politics, power and survival.
At the centre of the saga is Thomas Shelby, portrayed with extraordinary depth by Cillian Murphy. The casting of Murphy is widely regarded as perfect for the role. With piercing eyes, restrained dialogue and an almost hypnotic screen presence, he transforms Shelby into one of the most unforgettable characters in modern screen storytelling.
Murphy’s brilliance lies in his restraint. He rarely shouts or performs theatrically. Instead, a quiet stare, a calculated pause or a subtle shift in expression conveys the emotional storms within the character. Beneath the ruthless gang leader is a war veteran carrying trauma, guilt and loneliness. Murphy captures this complexity with remarkable precision, making Thomas Shelby both terrifying and deeply human.
Beyond its central performance, Peaky Blinders stands out for its unfiltered portrayal of reality. The show does not romanticise crime. Instead, it exposes the harsh social conditions of early 20th-century Britain, from poverty and class struggle to political extremism and the psychological scars left by war.
The series also presents powerful female characters who hold their own within the Shelby empire. Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, is the strategic backbone of the family and one of the most formidable figures in the story. Women in the series shape decisions, influence power structures and challenge the rigid social norms of the time.
Across six seasons, the narrative grows dramatically in scale. What begins in the smoky streets of Birmingham evolves into a story involving political conspiracies, fascism and international criminal networks.
The series has also earned significant critical acclaim. It won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2018 and multiple National Television Awards for Best Drama, cementing its reputation as one of Britain’s most celebrated modern shows.
Another defining feature of the series is its iconic music. The show’s opening theme, Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, became instantly recognisable and widely associated with the Shelby universe. Combined with a powerful soundtrack featuring artists such as Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, the music helped shape the show’s dark, stylish identity and became hugely popular among fans.
And the Shelby story is not over yet.
In fact, its legacy is unfolding right now. The long-awaited feature-length continuation, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, was released on March 6, 2026, bringing the Shelby universe from streaming screens to cinemas and giving fans a new chapter in the saga.
For viewers who have not yet stepped into this world, the timing could not be better.
Six gripping seasons are ready to binge on Netflix. A new film has just arrived in theatres. And at the heart of it all stands one of the most magnetic performances in modern drama by Cillian Murphy.
So if Peaky Blinders has been sitting on your watchlist for years, this weekend is your moment.
So, by order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders, consider this your cue to finally step into the ruthless world of Thomas Shelby. Pour yourself a drink, clear your schedule and press the play button. Because when the Peaky Blinders give an order, you listen.
