In a surprising revelation, celebrated filmmaker and talk show host Karan Johar has finally disclosed the reason behind Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli's notable absence from the iconic couch of Koffee With Karan. This comes despite his wife, renowned actor Anushka Sharma, being a frequent and beloved guest on the show.
The Podcast Confession
Karan Johar opened up about this during a candid conversation on tennis star Sania Mirza's podcast. While reflecting on the most memorable and, at times, regrettable moments from his long-running celebrity chat show's history, the topic of desired guests arose.
When Sania inquired about a prominent figure who has never graced the Koffee couch, Johar's immediate answer was Virat Kohli. He clarified that the cricketing icon's absence wasn't due to a refusal, but rather because he has never actually extended an invitation to him.
The Shadow of the 2019 Controversy
The filmmaker pointed directly to the infamous 2019 episode featuring cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul as the pivotal moment that changed his approach towards inviting sports personalities. That particular episode ignited a massive firestorm on social media and beyond, with the players facing severe criticism for making sexist and inappropriate comments.
The backlash was so intense that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) temporarily suspended both players. Johar admitted that this incident left a deep and lasting impact on him.
"I'm not inviting cricketers after that episode," Johar stated, referring to the Pandya-Rahul fiasco. He expressed that he still feels a sense of responsibility for the controversy and the fallout the players faced. This has made him exceptionally cautious about his guest selection, effectively putting cricketing stars off the potential guest list.
A Show for Bollywood Royalty
Over its multiple seasons, Koffee With Karan has become the go-to platform for intimate and often spicy conversations with the biggest names in Bollywood. The show's guest list reads like a who's who of the Indian film industry, featuring legends like Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Alia Bhatt.
Johar also mentioned actor Ranbir Kapoor as another star he wishes to have on the show, noting that while Kapoor has appeared in the past, he has declined invitations for the last three consecutive seasons.
For now, it appears the banter and coffee beans will remain exclusively within the film fraternity, with the cricketing world, including its charismatic former captain, staying on the sidelines.
