Kapil Sharma, a prominent figure in Indian television for over a decade, has returned with the second season of The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix. However, the comedian faces backlash from award-winning comedy writer Amit Aaryan, who has labelled the show as “the worst in the history of Indian comedy” due to its vulgar humour.
In a recent interview with Digital Commentary, Aaryan didn’t hold back in his critique. “I will make a statement that might sound controversial, but I have the right to say this because I am more experienced than Kapil Sharma, Kiku Sharda, and Krushna Abhishek,” he stated. He expressed strong disapproval of the show’s content, emphasizing that the portrayal of male characters dressed as women and their use of crude humour was disrespectful. Aaryan specifically pointed out Krushna Abhishek’s character, Sapna, stating, “Women are supposed to be respected, but look at how she only says below-the-belt stuff.”
Aaryan further argued that the show’s success is largely dependent on its supporting cast rather than Sharma himself. He referred to Sharma’s previous Netflix special, Kapil Sharma: I Am Not Done Yet, claiming it went largely unwatched. “Nobody was interested in what he had to say. The point is that all these people are just spreading dirt that reaches our households,” Aaryan added. He criticized the show for its reliance on making fun of people’s appearances, saying, “You call someone fat and ugly, and people laugh… Everything gets a rating nowadays.”
The Great Indian Kapil Show premiered its second season on September 22, featuring notable guests such as Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, director Vasan Bala, and producer Karan Johar in its first episode. Despite a promising debut, the show has experienced a decline in viewership throughout its first season, with ratings falling as episodes progressed. New episodes are released every Saturday evening on Netflix.
As the debate over comedy standards in India continues, Aaryan’s comments have reignited discussions about the impact of humour on societal values and the responsibilities of entertainers. Whether The Great Indian Kapil Show can regain its footing in light of this criticism remains to be seen.
