We haven’t had a popular new Prime Video comedy special in a while. In response to platforms trying to remove themselves from the uproar against edgy material, what was once the home of the Indian stand-up special (they have close to 50) gradually begun to disappear in recent years. This is the reason that a number of well-known comics have begun experimenting with posting brand-new specials on YouTube. Enter Tathastu, a brand-new special from Zakir Khan, who is undoubtedly one of the most creative voices in Indian comedy and one of the country’s top comics.The lighting of Tathastu, Zakir’s second Amazon special following 2017’s Haq Se Single, caught my attention right away. Zakir’s audience sits in a light-filled room as opposed to the theater-style darkness thought to be best for the collective stand-up comedy experience. The audience hearing Zakir was seated in a well-lit theatre so everyone can see one another. The audience’s laughing is quite obviously on display, and among them are well-known names like Sunny Hinduja, Vishal Dadlani, Tanmay Bhatt and Meiyang Chang. They all appear to be dressed in upscale holiday garb in what appears to be a glitzy Manyavar advertisement.Tathastu, which is divided into the three chapters Paradise, Exile, and The Return, effectively chronicles the origin tale of Zakir Khan. Two main themes of the presentation are Zakir’s development as a comedian and his bond with his late grandfather, vocalist Ustad Moinuddin Khan.From his joint family childhood to his college years and first employment to his time navigating comedy before having his career jump-started after being found by AIB.
Video Courtesy: Prime Video India
Of all Indian comics, Zakir has arguably the most devoted fan base. Undoubtedly, nobody in the crowd is there simply to have a good laugh, live comedy, or a stand-up performance. They are there because they adore him. Throughout the performance, the crowd repeatedly yells out his catchphrases and cheers even the most obvious remarks. More often than not, laughter in Tathastu is the result of fervent fandom rather than a reaction to a joke. Throughout Tathastu, I laughed a lot. I’ve always found Zakir’s unique style of humour to be an acquired taste. You’re either all in from the start or you feel somewhat alienated the entire time, kind of like strolling into a well-liked independent film midway through and trying to figure out what all the fuss is about. To his credit, however, that isn’t entirely a deal-breaker. It’s a programme that sits curiously at the crossroads of a passionate Ted Talk, a speech intended to inspire, and humor-laced poetry. Even if the giggles don’t come, it’s difficult not to be moved by a compelling storyteller who describes his extraordinary path from being turned down for radio positions left, right, and centre to quickly selling out tours in New York City, in a short period of time.He describes the journey as one marked by the realisation of dreams he had never even considered.His writing is so casual and easy-going that nothing feels scripted. His conversational Hindi manner is so smooth that the Zakir set’s design is hardly discernible. The end result is a programme that relies more on his charming demeanour, panache, and lyricism than on punchlines (though I personally would have liked more of those).The second chapter of Tathastu, which covers his early days in Mumbai and writing with AIB, is a breezy watch once you’ve gotten used to the style and speed. The first chapter of Tathastu starts out slowly. Tathastu the Special, however, really comes to life in Chapter 3 (The Return), as Zakir explores sadness while talking about the death of his grandfather, who was the greatest creative influence in his life.Tathastu may not be the funniest comedy show ever, but seeing an excited artist describe his career to date is strangely fulfilling. Even if it’s not really funny, it’s likely to please the fans of sakht launda. Not that it’s a difficult task in today’s world.
Share your reviews about u201cTathastuu201d in the comment section below.
