Karan Johar Reveals Why Virat Kohli Has Never Joined Koffee With Karan

Filmmaker Karan Johar has shed light on why Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has yet to appear on his popular talk show, Koffee With Karan. During a recent episode of the podcast Serving It Up With Sania hosted by tennis player Sania Mirza, Johar admitted that he has never extended an invitation to Kohli. This revelation comes in the wake of past controversies involving cricketers on his show.

In the podcast, Karan discussed various celebrities he has invited over the years. When Mirza inquired about guests who frequently decline invitations, he mentioned actor Ranbir Kapoor, who has not participated since 2016. However, when the conversation shifted to Kohli, Karan stated, “I have never asked Virat. And now, I am not asking any cricketers after what happened with Hardik (Pandya) and (KL) Rahul.”

The filmmaker was referring to an episode aired in 2019, during which cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul faced severe backlash for sexist comments made on the show. The fallout was significant, leading to a widespread social media outcry. In response, Disney+ Hotstar removed the episode and both players were suspended from the national squad ahead of their ODI series against Australia. Despite their apologies, the controversy had a lasting effect on the reputation of Koffee With Karan.

Karan Johar expressed regret over the incident, acknowledging his personal responsibility for the backlash faced by the players. Since then, it appears he has opted to avoid inviting any cricket personalities to prevent similar situations. This decision extends to Kohli, who, despite having a devoted fanbase eager for his appearance alongside his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, will likely not be joining the show anytime soon.

Fans of both Kohli and Sharma continue to hope for a special episode featuring the couple. However, given Karan Johar’s recent comments, the possibility of such an appearance seems distant.

Koffee With Karan remains a platform for celebrity conversations, yet the shadow of past controversies looms large, potentially influencing future guest selections.