Kapil Sharma has returned to Netflix with the second season of The Great Indian Kapil Show, and after the underwhelming response to the first season, there were high expectations from this new season. The first episode of Season 2 is now streaming, and despite a few notable changes, the show seems to have missed the mark once again. The much-anticipated laughter-filled ride, unfortunately, did not bring the entertainment many fans were hoping for. Let’s take a look at what works and where the show falls flat.
A Bigger Audience, But Lacking the Charm
One of the first noticeable changes in The Great Indian Kapil Show is the much larger audience. The makers seem to be trying to showcase a representation of India as the audience is seen in diverse clothing styles—some in South Indian attire, others in Marathi outfits, and a few with a Punjabi look. This suggests that the show is attempting to create a connection with all parts of India. However, while this visual inclusion is appreciated, it doesn’t translate into better content on stage.
Kapil Sharma begins the show by talking about representing India in this new season, a shift from his previous season where much was made about his show being viewed in over 200 countries. This time, Kapil returns to his roots, acknowledging that no matter where he goes, it’s the Indian audience that matters most. Yet, despite this renewed focus on the Indian viewer, the show fails to deliver the kind of impactful comedy fans have come to expect.
Graphics Shine, But Acts Fall Flat
Visually, the show has improved. The graphics used in The Great Indian Kapil Show 2 are better than those seen in Kapil’s previous shows, adding a fresh look to the production. Kapil’s conversations with celebrity guests like Alia Bhatt, Karan Johar, Vasan Bala, and Vedang Raina are also enjoyable and engaging. These conversations feel like the only highlights in an otherwise dull episode.
However, the comedy acts, which are supposed to be the main attraction, don’t live up to expectations. The show has seen the return of top comedians like Sunil Grover and Krishna Abhishek, but even their presence couldn’t save the poorly executed skits in the first episode.
Sunil Grover’s Lackluster Entry
Sunil Grover, known for bringing energy and fun to Kapil Sharma’s stage, entered as “Ranbir Kapoor’s ex” Dafli in a comedy act with Alia Bhatt. While the premise of the act had potential, it quickly fell flat as it failed to bring any real humor. Alia Bhatt, though visibly amused, did little to add to the comedic flow. The expected spark from Sunil Grover’s performance was missing, and the entire skit felt like a missed opportunity.
The Second Act: A Comedy Miss
In the second act, Sunil Grover played a duplicate of Shahrukh Khan, while Krishna Abhishek and Kiku Sharda played duplicates of Alia Bhatt. The act revolved around them trying to convince Alia to join their team by exaggeratedly imitating her. Unfortunately, the jokes fell flat, and the act lacked creativity. At one point, when Alia Bhatt said her dialogue, “Mujhe ghar jaana hai” (“I want to go home”), Karan Johar chimed in with “I also want to go home,” summing up the audience’s feelings the dull performance.
Where Is the Originality?
One major problem with The Great Indian Kapil Show 2 is the lack of original content. Many of the jokes and segments feel like recycled ideas. The skits involving celebrities have been done before, and the novelty seems to have worn off. Even the segment where Kapil reads comments from celebrities’ social media posts, which was once amusing, now feels overused. The show also includes a segment where celebrities wear headphones and try to communicate—a concept seen in the first season—and again, it brings nothing new to the table.
What Actually Works?
Despite the weak comedy acts, Kapil Sharma’s interactions with his guests remain the saving grace of the episode. His conversation with Alia Bhatt and Karan Johar, in particular, brought a few laughs and added some life to the otherwise dull proceedings. Kapil’s quick wit and casual banter with the celebrities provide a glimpse of what the show could be if it focused more on the talk-show format rather than relying on skits.
The show’s production value has certainly improved compared to the first season, and the larger platform of Netflix gives it a more polished feel. However, the improvements in graphics and technical aspects can only do so much when the core content—comedy—isn’t hitting the mark.
More Effort Needed for Season 2
Kapil Sharma and his team have worked harder this season compared to the first, but it’s still not enough. In a recent interview, Sunil Grover mentioned that working on a digital platform gives them more time to focus on the creative side of the show. However, despite having the luxury of time, the creativity doesn’t seem to reflect in the episode. If the team wants to truly impress audiences and make this season a success, they’ll need to step up their game and focus more on crafting fresh, engaging comedy rather than relying on the same old formulas.
