Zakir Khan opens up about his grandfather’s legacy on ‘Serving It Up With Sania’s latest episode

Zakir Khan and Sania Mirza

In the newest episode of Serving It Up With Sania by IVM Podcasts, comedian and storyteller Zakir Khan brings a heartfelt and reflective side to his conversation with Sania Mirza.

After an energetic pickleball match, Zakir dives into an intimate discussion about the person who shaped him most deeply, his grandfather, the renowned sarangi maestro Ustad Moinuddin Khan.

Zakir describes his grandfather’s presence with warmth, recalling how simply being around him marked “the best phase” of his life. He speaks about the unique respect his grandfather commanded, noting that although he played a niche instrument and wasn’t widely recognised by everyone, his aura touched people effortlessly. “Wherever he went,” Zakir says, “it felt like people blossomed around him.”

He also reflects on the most important lesson he learned from him — that legacy is built on the work one leaves behind and the character that carries it forward. Zakir shares how this understanding has guided his own life and creative choices.

One of the standout stories in the episode comes from a moment when Zakir asked his grandfather why he continued performing in Kolkata despite not being fully appreciated there. His grandfather’s response stayed with him: go to places where you’re loved, but also to places where you aren’t — because that’s where growth and challenge lie.

Through these reflections, the episode highlights a thoughtful, philosophical side of Zakir Khan, giving listeners a deeper look at the values, influences, and emotional roots behind his artistry.

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Watch Serving It Up With Sania on YouTube. New episode on every Wednesday.