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
JioStar revenue hits Rs 9,784 crore as cricket fuels 22 per cent growth
A surge in digital viewership and sports dominance fuels a blockbuster quarter for the media giant
MUMBAI: JioStar is batting on a flat pitch. The media titan’s fourth-quarter results for the financial year 2026 reveal a business scaling new heights, propelled by an unprecedented appetite for premium sports and digital-first storytelling.
Gross revenue for the quarter soared by 22.15 per cent to Rs 9,784 crore, up from Rs 8,010 crore in the third quarter. Operationally, the momentum was equally strong; revenue from operations climbed 21 per cent to Rs 8,372 crore. These figures underscore the firm’s successful integration following the Reliance and Disney merger, creating a dominant force in the Indian market.
The annual performance has been nothing short of a spectacle. Full-year gross revenue reached a massive Rs 36,248 crore, while annual profit after tax hit Rs 3,210 crore. This rapid expansion reflects JioStar’s ability to capture and monetise the massive growth in India’s media consumption.
Cricket proved to be the ultimate growth engine. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and TATA IPL 2026 delivered “record-breaking viewership” across both television and digital screens. The World Cup final alone drew a global peak concurrency of 72.5 million on JioHotstar, cementing its status as the nation’s premier streaming destination. On television, JioStar maintained a commanding 34.2 per cent viewership share, reaching a staggering 810 million viewers nationwide.
The digital numbers were just as impressive. JioHotstar averaged 500 million monthly active users, driven by consistent subscriber growth and innovative AI-led content discovery tools. These advancements are ensuring that JioStar remains at the cutting edge of the global “Race for Attention.”
With a firm grip on the country’s most valuable sporting rights and a rapidly growing digital footprint, JioStar is perfectly positioned for the future. It has built the ultimate content powerhouse—one that is ready to dominate the Indian living room for years to come.
