Filmmaker Karan Johar’s celebrity talk show, Koffee With Karan, has seen countless stars grace its famous couch, from Bollywood A-listers to global icons.
Yet, one prominent name has remained notably absent, Indian cricket star Virat Kohli. While his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, has appeared on the show multiple times, Karan recently revealed the real reason behind never inviting the cricketing legend.
In a candid conversation with tennis star Sania Mirza on her podcast, Serving It Up With Sania, Karan opened up about the guests he has wished to have on the show and those he has chosen not to approach, Hindustan Times reported.
When Sania asked about a celebrity who keeps refusing, Karan mentioned actor Ranbir Kapoor, saying, “He’s come before, but for the last three seasons, he’s said no.” Ranbir’s last appearance on Koffee With Karan was in 2016 alongside Ranveer Singh, Hindustan Times reported.
However, when Sania asked him to name someone who’s never made it to the couch, she brought up Virat Kohli. Karan then admitted that he has never invited the cricketer to be on the show.
“I have never asked Virat. And now, I am not asking any cricketers after what happened with Hardik (Pandya) and (KL) Rahul. There are many who I just felt wouldn’t come, so I never asked them in the first place,” Karan confessed, quoted Hindustan Times.
The filmmaker was referring to the infamous 2019 episode featuring cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, which drew severe backlash over their sexist remarks. The duo’s comments were widely condemned for being disrespectful toward women, leading to intense social media outrage.
In the aftermath, Disney+ Hotstar pulled down the episode, and both players were suspended from India’s squad ahead of their ODI series against Australia. Despite their public apologies, the controversy left a lasting mark on Koffee With Karan’s reputation, as reported by Hindustan Times.
At the time, Karan Johar had expressed remorse, admitting he felt personally responsible for the backlash faced by the cricketers. Since then, it appears the director has chosen to avoid inviting sports stars altogether, including Virat Kohli, to steer clear of similar controversies, reported Hindustan Times.
While fans continue to hope for a Koffee With Karan episode featuring Virat and Anushka, KJo’s recent revelation makes it clear that such an appearance may not be brewing anytime soon.