Karan Johar Reveals Why Virat Kohli Won’t Appear on His Show

Apart from being a celebrated filmmaker, producer, and style icon, Karan Johar is also known as the witty and charming host of the popular celebrity talk show Koffee With Karan. However, the filmmaker recently revealed that there is one major sports star who might never appear on his couch — Virat Kohli.

In a candid chat with Sania Mirza, Karan Johar was asked why the Indian cricket team’s former captain had never featured on his show. Responding to the question, Karan said,“I have never asked Virat. And now, I am not asking any cricketers after what happened with Hardik (Pandya) and (KL) Rahul.”

He further added that there were several other personalities he never approached because he felt they wouldn’t agree to come on the show.

This statement refers to the infamous 2019 controversy when cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul appeared on Koffee With Karan and faced massive backlash for their comments. During the episode, Hardik made remarks about women that were widely criticized as misogynistic and disrespectful. He spoke about his personal life, relationships, and even shared inappropriate anecdotes on national television.

One of his controversial comments involved saying that he learned to “treat women” by watching “West Indian players and black culture,” a statement that drew outrage across the country. The Committee of Administrators (CoA) of the BCCI intervened, demanding an explanation from both players.

Following public outrage, Hardik Pandya issued an apology on social media, admitting that he got “carried away” during the conversation. However, the apology wasn’t enough to prevent disciplinary action. The BCCI suspended both Hardik and KL Rahul temporarily and barred them from a three-match ODI series against Australia. Later, the duo was fined Rs 20 lakh each under Rule 41 of the BCCI’s constitution for misconduct and indiscipline.

Karan Johar, speaking about the aftermath, had earlier admitted feeling personally responsible for the controversy.“I feel very responsible because it was my show and my platform. I invited them as guests, so the repercussions and ramifications were also my responsibility,” he said.

He also revealed that the entire episode left him deeply troubled, leading to several sleepless nights as he reflected on how to handle the damage caused by the controversy.

Since then, Karan Johar has been cautious about inviting sportspersons, particularly cricketers, to Koffee With Karan. The incident not only changed the public perception of celebrity interviews but also influenced the way entertainment platforms handle sensitive topics in the age of social media scrutiny.

While fans may still hope to see Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma on the famous coffee couch someday, Karan Johar’s recent remarks make it clear that the filmmaker has chosen to steer clear of potential controversies — at least when it comes to cricket stars.