Two Much Ep 2 Review: Alia Bhatt & Varun's bond & warmth makes this one bearable

The first episode of Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle promised fireworks with big names like Salman Khan and Aamir Khan but landed somewhere between a yawn and a polite smile. Thankfully, episode two gives the show a little life-support, courtesy of Bollywood’s forever buddies Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan. While it still doesn’t reach the unapologetic spice levels of a Koffee With Karan, this episode is heartwarming in its own right, candid, cute, and sometimes unintentionally hilarious.

A Nostalgic Entry and an Instant Connect

From the moment Alia and Varun walked in, the vibe was different. They didn’t come in as guarded celebrities; they came as old friends who had grown up in front of us, now parents themselves, carrying both nostalgia and new responsibilities. Their banter about parenthood, Alia’s little Raha and Varun’s daughter Lara already having a playdate set the tone for a warm, family-like episode.

No drama, no gossip bombs, but an easy comfort that only two actors with a decade-long shared journey could bring to a couch.

The Dreaded Food Segment (Again!) VS The Real Talk

Let’s address the elephant in the room: the food bit. Whoever thought this recurring segment was a good idea needs to rethink. Once again, Kajol and Twinkle dragged their guests into an awkward “let’s talk and nibble” zone. Unlike episode one, this wasn’t a total disaster, Alia and Varun managed to float through with their natural camaraderie but the truth remains: food on chat shows works better as a prop, not a main course.

The real charm of the episode lay in the conversations about relationships. Alia’s refreshing honesty about her marriage with Ranbir Kapoor stood out. No sugary “perfect couple” claims here, she described their bond as rooted in friendship, built on mutual trolling and an easy camaraderie rather than grand gestures. Parenthood, she said, made them feel more like a unit.

Varun, meanwhile, melted hearts by confessing that his most romantic moments with wife Natasha are when he sees her with their daughter Lara. His equation with his dog Joey also brought laughs when he insisted Joey and Lara are equals in his heart. Only Varun Dhawan could make that statement sound so casually sincere.

When the conversation shifted to weddings, Varun shared a laugh-out-loud anecdote about his brother Rohit almost missing the big day thanks to a COVID test mix-up. The chaos, the confusion, and the eventual relief had everyone in splits.

Alia, on the other hand, explained why she opted for an intimate ceremony, she and Ranbir are homebodies, socially awkward at times, and preferred not to be the center of a large crowd’s attention. It was a rare, candid peek into the private choices behind Bollywood’s big fat weddings.

Another sweet moment came when Alia spoke about creating monthly scrapbooks for Raha and writing her letters, cue Twinkle’s cheeky Kuch Kuch Hota Hai reference, which Alia firmly denied. Varun, in turn, revealed the scenes from his career he’d never want Lara to watch, his violent turns in Badlapur and Citadel. It gave a glimpse of how becoming parents has reshaped the way both stars view their work.

The Twinkle-Kajol Equation: Still Work in Progress

Now, about the hosts. Kajol, though charismatic, slips too easily into “journalist mode.” Her questions often sound like rapid-fire interviews rather than casual banter. Twinkle, on the other hand, tries to lighten the mood with wit, but their chemistry doesn’t quite translate on screen yet. Off-screen, they may be a riot together, but on-screen, the attempt to appear “jazzy and cool” feels a bit labored.

This mismatch makes the show waver between fun and forced. Luckily, Alia and Varun’s natural warmth kept it afloat.

The episode featured two games: a “green light, red light” opinion test and a Bollywood trivia round. From open marriages to the eternal “9-to-5 vs actors” debate, the answers were cautious and diplomatic. Kajol went bold by admitting acting is tougher, while the others offered safer middle-ground takes. Nothing scandalous came out of it, but it did deliver a few chuckles.

The Verdict

Episode two of Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle isn’t groundbreaking television, but it’s an improvement over the Salman-Aamir premiere snoozefest. It thrives on the effortless bond between Alia and Varun, two friends who can make even awkward food segments bearable.

Is it spicy? No. Is it dramatic? Not really. But it is watchable, sweet, and warm. And sometimes, that’s enough.