Filmmaker and talk show host Karan Johar recently revealed why cricket superstar Virat Kohli has never been on his chat show Koffee With Karan. The disclosure came during his appearance on Sania Mirza’s podcast Serving It Up.
While conversing with Mirza, she asked Karan Johar to name someone who has never appeared on his show. After a brief pause, Sania suggested Virat Kohli, prompting Karan to admit he has never invited the cricketer.
“I have never asked Virat. And now, I am not asking any cricketers after what happened with Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul,” Karan said. He explained that he felt some celebrities might decline invitations, so he never extended them in the first place.
The reference to Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul relates to their 2019 appearance on Koffee With Karan, which sparked a major controversy. The cricketers faced heavy backlash for sexist comments, leading Disney+ Hotstar to remove the episode. Both players were temporarily suspended ahead of India’s ODI series against Australia, despite issuing public apologies.
While Virat Kohli has yet to join Karan Johar on the show, his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, has made multiple appearances. Karan mentioned that inviting cricketers has become more sensitive due to the previous controversies, influencing his decision to avoid such invitations in the future.
Fans of Koffee With Karan have often speculated about the possibility of seeing Virat on the show, given its star-studded guest list. However, Karan’s candid revelation clarifies the reason behind his absence, highlighting how past incidents have shaped guest selections.
The discussion also sheds light on the challenges hosts face in balancing entertainment with public accountability, particularly when involving high-profile figures from sports and cinema.
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