By Anil Merani: The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix will bid farewell after thirteen-episode due to falling ratings. However, it will return with a fresh season. The first season till five episodes has featured big names like Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Diljit Dosanjh, and Rohit Sharma, yet its viewership kept dwindling. Despite this, the series has remained on Netflix’s global top ten list.
One reason for the show’s decline may be that Netflix is known for its raw and unflinching content. However, with such big names as guests, the show may have been more concerned with public opinion. Many viewers prefer a hardcore roast to a sweet PR plug, and Kapil could have done that perfectly. However, given the pedigree of his guest list, he may have hedged back.
Though Kiku Sharma, who is part of the show’s cast has said that the break was always on the cards given that the platform is different, he further added that the second season will soon air, unlike tv, where the sequel takes time.
As per me, the season break will allow the show’s makers to do an honest analysis and make course corrections. Netflix expected a significant return on investment due to the heavy promotion of the show. However, the lacklustre reception must have been disappointing.
Perhaps the show’s makers assumed that having A-listers as guests would be enough. They could learn from Karan Johar (Koffee With Karan on Disney Hotstar), who creates an environment where guests can drop their guard and share juicy gossip. However, Kapil’s image of going for the kill may have scared his guests. This dichotomy is something that Netflix needs to address.
Another sweet B-Town (Neetu Singh prasing son Ranbir) or cricketer chat show will not make a deep impression. While it may attract a significant number of viewers, it will not appeal to Netflix’s international audience, who want meaty content that gets risque. Let’s face it: sex talk sells across all demographics, but Category 1 viewers want it in a more sophisticated manner.
Season 1 will continue till June second half and will include guests like Bobby Deol, Sunny Deol – Heeramandi cast, Ed Sheeran, Saina Nehwal, Anil Kapoor among others