Karan Johar Reveals Why Virat Kohli Was Never Invited to Koffee

Filmmaker Karan Johar has disclosed the reason why Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has never appeared on his popular talk show, Koffee With Karan. During a recent episode of tennis star Sania Mirza‘s podcast, “Serving It Up With Sania,” Johar explained his choice to avoid inviting Kohli and other cricketers to the show.

When asked about celebrities who consistently decline invitations, Johar mentioned actor Ranbir Kapoor, who has not participated in the past three seasons. Kapoor’s last appearance on the show was in 2016, alongside fellow actor Ranveer Singh. However, when the topic shifted to Kohli, Johar candidly admitted, “I have never asked Virat. And now, I am not asking any cricketers after what happened with Hardik (Pandya) and (KL) Rahul.”

Johar was referring to a controversial episode that aired in January 2019, featuring cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. Their remarks during the episode sparked widespread backlash due to their sexist nature, leading to a significant social media outcry. In response to the controversy, Disney+ Hotstar removed the episode, and both players faced suspension from the Indian squad ahead of their ODI series against Australia.

The fallout from that incident left a lasting impact on the show’s reputation. Johar expressed his regrets about the situation, acknowledging that he felt personally responsible for the negative attention directed towards the cricketers. Since then, he has opted to refrain from inviting athletes, including Kohli, to avoid similar controversies.

Despite ongoing fan interest in a potential episode featuring both Kohli and his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, Johar’s recent revelations suggest that such an appearance is unlikely in the near future. As the landscape of celebrity interviews continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Koffee With Karan will adapt to maintain its appeal while avoiding past pitfalls.