KJO asked why Virat Kohli did not come on Koffee with Karan: No cricketer anymore
Filmmaker Karan Johar recently discussed why cricketer Virat Kohli never appeared on his popular talk show ‘Koffee with Karan’. He reflected on the consequences of the previous controversy involving Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.
Filmmaker Karan Johar recently revealed his decision of not inviting Indian cricket star Virat Kohli on his talk show ‘Koffee with Karan’. Johar discussed his guest selection process and revisited the impact of past controversies involving cricketers on the show. The revelation sheds light on how past events have affected the show’s guest lineup.
Johar’s comments were made during a recent appearance on Sania Mirza’s podcast. Many celebrities from different fields have participated in ‘Koffee with Karan’, but Virat Kohli’s absence has drawn attention time and again. While his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, has been a guest several times, Kohli has never appeared on the show. Johar linked this absence to the reaction following Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul’s 2019 appearance, where their comments drew significant criticism.
Reflecting on the impact of this incident, Johar said, “I never asked Virat. And now, after what happened with Hardik (Pandya) and (KL) Rahul I am not asking any cricketer. There are many people whom I thought would not come, so I never asked them before,” he said.
Johar told that he started reconsidering Inviting cricketers after facing public outcry following the 2019 episode. The episode drew severe criticism due to inappropriate comments on social media, resulting in consequences for both Pandya and Rahul. The controversy led to Disney+Hotstar removing the episode and both players facing suspension before the ODI match.
Johar also discussed other notable celebrities who have refused to appear on the show in recent seasons. Citing actor Ranbir Kapoor, he said he had attended the event before but had subsequently declined further invitations. “He has come before also, but for the last three seasons he has said ‘no’,” Johar said.
Incident related to Pandya and Rahul This not only affected the players but also made Johar feel responsible for the result. Both cricketers issued public apologies following their appearance. The public reaction and subsequent suspension of the players underlined the sensitivity to celebrity comments on public platforms.
Since the controversy, Johar has avoided inviting sports celebrities, instead focusing on including guests from the film and entertainment industries. The format of the show has been shaped by the lessons learned from the 2019 episode, as Johar wants to ensure that future editions avoid similar controversies.