Italian
Kapil Sharma’s comedy show finds a new home on Netflix
A new chapter for Kapil Sharma
Indian comedy icon Kapil Sharma, known for his role in Nandita Das’ 2022 Busan selection “Zwigato,” has successfully transitioned his long-running TV show to Netflix. Now titled “The Great Indian Kapil Show”, it is reaching audiences worldwide, marking a significant milestone in Sharma’s career.
From TV to streaming: A natural progression
“The Kapil Sharma Show” originally aired on Sony Entertainment Television India from 2016 to 2023. The move to Netflix was a natural evolution. “Netflix approached us with the idea of bringing the show to their platform, which I found very appealing,” Sharma explains. “A global service like Netflix offers a fantastic opportunity to reach a broader audience and gain international exposure.”
This transition has allowed for a fresh approach to production. “We’re fortunate to have created a show where each episode is unique. The season-wise format on Netflix gives us a breather, which is a welcome change,” Sharma adds.
Global impact and audience reception
While the show primarily targets a Hindi-speaking audience, its global reach has been impressive. “Watching the show with subtitles is different, but the global feedback has been outstanding. When our show launched, it trended not only in India but also in countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Australia,” Sharma notes. Season 1 became the first Indian series to trend on the Global Top 10 TV (non-English) list for four consecutive weeks. Season 2 continues this success, topping India’s Top 10 TV chart and entering the Top 10 in 11 countries.
The challenge of comedy writing
Sharma, who won Star TV’s stand-up comedy reality show “The Great Indian Laughter Challenge” Season 3 in 2007 and hosted Colors TV’s “Comedy Nights With Kapil,” acknowledges the difficulty of writing comedy for a long-running show. “Comedy is challenging because each time, you need a new subject and fresh gags,” he says. “It’s especially tough when interacting with celebrities we’ve featured in many episodes.”
He credits his team for the show’s consistent quality. “I’m fortunate to have a fantastic team. My directors, acting team, and everyone else are industry veterans with whom I’ve built long-standing friendships.”
Technological advancements and new characters
The new season introduces technological enhancements to create a more immersive viewing experience. Visual effects and holograms have been incorporated, with plans to experiment with interactive formats in upcoming episodes. The show is also expanding its character roster, introducing more pop culture-relevant figures alongside familiar faces.
To engage with fans directly, Sharma and his castmates are embarking on multi-city tours, including a recent visit to the Attari Wagah Border to meet with Border Security Forces and their families. The guest list for Season 2 includes Saif Ali Khan, NTR Jr, Janhavi Kapoor, the T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team, and the cast of “Fabulous Wives vs Bollywood Lives.” The season kicked off with Alia Bhatt, Karan Johar, Vasan Bala, and Vedang Raina for their upcoming film “Jigra.”
Exploring new roles
While comedy remains his forte, Sharma has ventured into dramatic roles, notably in “Zwigato.” “I would love to take on more lead roles in films. Post the release of ‘Zwigato,’ people seem interested in offering me more serious scripts. While I want to show my serious side, I don’t want to focus on it too much,” he chuckles. “I enjoy doing comedy films more, but I wouldn’t turn down a great serious role if it comes my way.”
Future prospects
As “The Great Indian Kapil Show” continues to gain global traction, Sharma remains open to new opportunities, including the possibility of more stand-up specials following the success of “I am Not Done Yet” on Netflix.
Did you enjoy this article? Share it on your social channels and let us know your thoughts! Don’t miss out on the latest updates! Follow us on social media to stay informed about the newest releases.
