The Great Indian Kapil Show is streaming on Netflix. Here's our honest take.
This weekend, treated viewers to a visual delight-an episode packed with stars from Anurag Basu's upcoming film Metro…In Dino. And when we say packed, we mean it! Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Sara Ali Khan-all showed up, and they brought a fresh, feel-good vibe to the stage.
From the moment they stepped in, it was clear this wasn't just another promo episode. The comfort they shared with one another made the conversations warm, genuine, and-most importantly-fun.
Was it laugh-out-loud hilarious throughout? Not really. But after a long wait, we finally got an episode that felt light and pleasant. A slow burn, but it worked.
Now, here's something long-time fans will understand-The Great Indian Kapil Show with Navjot Singh Siddhu just hits different. His poetic nonsense, infectious "Thoko Taali," and thunderous laughs had become part of the show's DNA.
Archana Puran Singh and Navjot Singh Siddhu still laugh with their hearts, but Siddhu Ji brought a unique flair, no matter how over-the-top it felt. His absence is loud. And for many of us, that laughter is nostalgia-we miss it deeply.
One of the biggest wins this episode? The natural camaraderie between the team. While we expected Sara Ali Khan and Aditya Roy Kapur to be the ones grabbing all the attention, Fatima Sana Shaikh held her own beautifully. In fact, she may have stolen more than a few moments!
Everyone got a fair share of screen time, and the easy banter between co-stars didn't feel rehearsed. It felt like a bunch of old friends catching up-and we were lucky to witness it.
ing veterans like Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta grace the show is always a treat. Their sense of humour isn't loud, but it's sharp and seasoned. Their stories had warmth. Their wit, though dry, left us smiling. And honestly? That kind of wisdom-infused humour is a rare gem in today's comedy landscape.
Yes, there were a few jokes in the episode that tried too hard to be "cool" and felt cringey instead. But thankfully, they were few and didn't spoil the mood.
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The comedy skits.
Even with a strong guest lineup, the sketches didn't land. The writing felt misaligned-either with the comic talents on the team or with the vibe of the episode. This isn't a new problem. It's something that has slowly crept in since last season, and sadly, it continues.
But all's not lost. Sunil Grover, Krushna Abhishek, and Kiku Sharda-these three deserve a standing ovation. Their persistence, expressions, and sheer comic timing still carry the weight of the show. Without them, we'd be staring at a sinking ship.
Maybe the jokes work better in the studio than they do in the final edit. But from our side of the screen, the spark just isn't there yet.
Pankaj Tripathi was, as always, a delight. His simplicity, his smile, his unforced humour-it's all so endearing. ing him laugh, share stories, and just be himself is a reminder that authenticity never goes out of style.
And then, came the emotional beat. Anurag Basu paused to remember the late Irrfan Khan. It was brief, but it hit home. For a few seconds, the entire show felt like a heartfelt tribute. It reminded us why we still tune in: for the real moments behind all the glamour.
This wasn't the funniest episode of the season, but it had something we've missed for a while-clean humour, genuine emotion, and great conversations. It was like a good cup of chai on a rainy day: comforting, if not thrilling.
Good vibes, great guests, but comedy still needs work.
We just hope that in the episodes ahead, The Great Indian Kapil Show finds that spark again. Because the audience? We're still rooting for it.