New Delhi: Amazon Prime Video is set to launch a talk show, Two Much With Kajol and Twinkle, bringing together two of Bollywood’s powerhouses. The weekly series premieres on 25 September, with new episodes every Thursday.
Female actors and celebrity-led talk shows in India have often arrived with much fanfare, promising glamour, candid conversations, and star power. But barring Simi Garewal’s iconic Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, most have fizzled out without leaving a lasting mark. With Kajol and Twinkle Khanna at the helm, Amazon is trying to break that streak.
The show, produced by Banijay Asia, is set to “deliver an unlimited dose of entertainment, unfiltered moments, laughter, and surprises with some of the most celebrated names in Indian cinema,” according to the official statement.
“If they do a Simi Garewal version show, then women won’t watch. Today, women prefer listening to Mel Robbins, an American author. And, that is one example of the content we consume,” said Sohini Mishra, founder, Women In The Hood, a community for women and by women.
She said that women have moved on from Bollywood gossip and are looking for more substantial conversations. According to her, for a woman-led talk show to work, it is essential that they move beyond just scratching the surface.
“I hope they (Kajol and Twinkle) go a little more non-normative,” she added.
Communication consultant Dileep Cherain has high hopes for Kajol and Twinkle, as he calls them “intelligent, energetic and effervescent.”
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End-of-life advantage
Neha Dhupia’s BFF’s with Vogue, Twinkle Khanna’s Tweak India show Icons, or Kareena Kapoor Khan’s What Women Want are some of the talk shows that have struggled to maintain consistency or relevance over time.
Cherain dismisses the idea that the success or failure of a talk show has any connection to gender.
“A talk show is a talk show. For a talk show to be successful, the anchor or host must not have any real anxiety about their next career move,” he explained, highlighting how Garewal never used the talk show as a stepping stone for a career in films.
“It is an end-of-life advantage, only then can the host be brutal and honest. Gentle talk shows like Kareena Kapoor’s won’t work today.”
According to him, both Kajol and Khanna are at a fortunate stage in their careers. Therefore, they might be able to deliver on this project.
Many of these talk shows tend to follow a familiar format: celebrity gossip, rapid-fire rounds, and surface-level chit-chat, offering little depth or new insight.
But, on the other hand, Karan Johar’s Koffee With Karan, which also operates on the same lines, has managed to survive the test of time.
There is also quite a competition from digital platforms. YouTube channels, and podcasts hosted by journalists, influencers, or even comedians, who are often bolder and more relatable, have diluted the uniqueness of actress-led shows.
While the celebrity factor still draws attention, it’s no longer enough to sustain a show.
“In the 90s, when we moved to cable TV, we saw a glamourised Simi Garewal hosting conversations with actors. Our exposure was limited and so was our source of entertainment. So, whatever was provided, we lapped it up,” said Mishra.
“The fabric of social dynamics has considerably changed since the 1990s. What they wanted back then and now has changed.”
She noted how women in their 30s and 40s, who earlier watched Garewal’s show, have better things to do now. They have diverse choices to spend their time.
“A large section of women is independent and working; their perspective on content has also evolved from the 90s. So, creators targeting women should also evolve,” she said.
(Edited by Ratan Priya)