Mar 17, 2026 4:01pm IST
Writer Niranjan Iyengar On The Backlash To His Chat Show ‘Two Much With Kajol And Twinkle’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Writer Niranjan Iyengar isn’t shying away from the backlash around “Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle”. The chat show, fronted by two of Bollywood’s most candid voices, drew both criticism for its unfiltered, insider-driven tone and out of sync with the hosts personality. In an exclusive chat, Iyengar explains why the show was always meant to feel indulgent, and shares his perspective on what worked—while cautiously considering what a potential second season could bring, should it move forward. He also reflects on his journey as a lyricist and why he hasn’t written a song in a long time.
How much of the show was tightly scripted versus leaving room for spontaneous chaos?
The show was born to explore the interesting chemistry between Kajol and Twinkle. Because they are unpredictable, they are interesting. Some parts of the show are scripted, of course, like the broad segments or even the topics covered during the conversations, but the actual dialogue between the hosts and guests was completely organic. In the first season, we had to script a little more because Kajol and Twinkle's little or no hosting experience. But by about the third episode, they had got the hang of it.
‘Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle'’ has drawn criticism for being indulgent and polarizing. How do you respond to that?
I don’t look at it as criticism at all. The show would have to be indulgent because, in the end, it’s two big stars interviewing other big stars who belong to the same world. There was bound to be an element of indulgence. As for being polarizing, I think that’s the best response any chat show can expect. The show was spoken about a lot and gave rise to many conversations, that’s what most chat shows aim for, I presume.
Do you think people were harsh on the show?
I don’t think so. It may have felt that way because, in the past, Kajol and Twinkle have revealed very little of their actual personalities. We have rarely seen them unfiltered, as themselves, on camera, except in brief bytes. So, to watch them for 45 minutes in each episode revealed parts of their personalities that no one had seen before, including their opinions. And as is the case with every human being, there were people who liked those opinions and people who didn’t. Besides, Too Much ended up being the most-watched non-fiction show on Prime Video India, so clearly, the response wasn’t all that harsh.
Is Season 2 in the works?
We can only speak about the second season after it is greenlit. Chat shows essentially work when they are topical, anecdotal, and entertaining. There are a lot of variables in the mix, and hopefully, they will all align soon.
You have given written some emotionally resonant songs in Hindi cinema. Looking back, what has changed most—your voice or the industry?
I would say both. My age and life experiences have changed me a lot ,from when I wrote those earlier songs. And of course, we all know how much the business has changed in the past few years. I consider lyric writing very sacred and have always been selective about the songs I take on. I still write couplets and post them occasionally. But I haven’t been approached in a while to write a song—so do spread the word. I would love to write more.
In an era dominated by short-form content, how does a lyricist evolve?
A film—or any creative content, is the sum of all its creative parts. Lyrics have been a significant part of our storytelling for years. Their importance will either be maintained or diluted depending on the place songs occupy within the narrative. We have already lost lip-sync, and we are now moving towards a more realistic way of telling stories. Fortunately, there is still some space for songs and lyrics in films—let’s hope it stays that way.
Beyond "Two Much...' Season 2, what lies ahead for you?
Two Much was my first foray into nonfiction. I enjoyed it a lot and would love to explore more in this space. Writing, of course, continues, I’m currently working on a couple of feature films. Last year, I almost directed a film, so that’s something I definitely hope to explore. I also run a company called Electric Apples Entertainment. So yes, there’s a lot going on.
What’s the one Bollywood truth you’d finally dare to say out loud?
I’d say Bollywood isn’t as much about talent as it is about timing. Obviously, talent matters, but it’s timing that decides who gets seen.
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