New Delhi: India’s most-loved standup comedian Kapil Sharma is back with his show ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’, this time not on television but on streaming giant Netflix. The show, like its television edition, has the same cast with a few exceptions. The USP of the show is the return of Sunil Grover, who buried the hatchet with Kapil Sharma and ended a seven-year feud for the show. The stage is all set and the show will premiere today at 8 pm but before the confetti falls, a crucial question lingers: will the show retain the same formula that's played out over the years, or will the new platform and revamped set usher in a wave of refreshing changes?. At least that’s what we hope for.
In the trailer that was launched recently, Kapil Sharma says, “We are on Netflix! Change your vocabulary baby.” Dear Kapil, just changing the vocabulary might not be enough. Here's hoping this season tackles a few deeper issues to bring it out from the pit of predictable, stereotypical humour.
Here are a few things that Kapil Sharma should change this time:
Sexist jokes (The last laugh should be for everyone)
Aren’t we past the era of sexist wife jokes that men used to crack to bring in some laughs among their male friends? Well, most of us think so and it's high time the writers of the show get past that stage too. The show has always relied on sexist stereotypes and jokes that perpetuate gender biases. Kapil has a family audience, and his show is watched by families - that also include young impressionable minds. When these stereotypes are presented repeatedly in a lighthearted manner, they can become normalised, shaping how viewers, especially kids, perceive gender roles and interactions. The constant barrage of sexist jokes can also create a culture where disrespect towards women becomes acceptable.
Body shaming (Focus on the funny bone, not the funny-looking bone)
One thing that the show needs for sure is a body positivity makeover. Jokes about weight are common in the show which indirectly perpetuates the myth that a person's worth is tied to their size. Physical attributes like height, facial features, or dressing sense become fodder for gags making appearance-based humour acceptable. When body-shaming humour is normalised on television, it can create a breeding ground for bullying behavior in real life.
Crossdressing (Ditch the Clichés)
With Sunil Grover as an exception, the rest all the actors who dress up as women on the show always end up looking like an exaggerated caricature of femininity. OTT gestures, and body movements most of the time borderline vulgarity. Sunil Grover as Gutthi was the only actor whose mannerisms as a female character were on point most of the time.
Over flirting and innuendos (The flirty offensive)
Every female character played by male actors on the show flirts outrageously with male celebrities to the point of just falling all over the celebrity. These over-the-top advances, and suggestive remarks not only feel forced but also outdated and, frankly, a little strange. Double entendres, suggestive jokes, physical comedy, or inappropriate touching become uncomfortable and embarrassing to watch at times. This can also be interpreted as femininity being inherently linked to heightened sexuality towards men.
We might be panned for taking a comedy show too seriously but when a program proudly touts itself as suitable for the "entire family," it inherently assumes the responsibility to not only entertain but to also be inclusive and respectful.
Imagine a show where laughter stems from clever jokes, relatable characters, situational humours, and witty observations, wordplay and not from slapstick comedy, stereotypes, and jokes that rely on reinforcing societal biases. This will actually be the show that is suitable for the family viewing and as Kapil himself said, “Agar koi cheez, puri family key liye fit hai to Hindustan mein hit hai (if something is fit for the entire family, it is a hit in India).”
The last time Kapil was on Netflix, his standup act was a refreshing departure from what we had seen him doing on television. We hope he repeats this with ‘The Great Indian Kapil Show’ and creates something that's not just laugh-out-loud funny, but also intelligent, inclusive, culturally relevant, and one that resonates with audiences worldwide.
Also Read: 'Feeling Blessed Again, I Am Back Home': Sunil Grover On The Great Indian Kapil Show