Karan Johar, the filmmaker and host of the long-running celebrity talk show Koffee With Karan, has opened up about why Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has never appeared on his show. While Virat’s wife, actor Anushka Sharma, has been a guest multiple times, Karan admitted that he has avoided inviting the cricketer following the controversy surrounding Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul’s 2019 appearance.
During a recent conversation with tennis star Sania Mirza on her podcast Serving It Up With Sania, Karan spoke candidly about the guests who have either refused or never been approached. When Sania asked him about celebrities he hasn’t been able to bring on the show, Karan first mentioned Ranbir Kapoor, who has declined recent invitations despite appearing in earlier seasons. However, when Sania mentioned Virat Kohli, Karan confessed that he had “never asked” the cricketer to be part of Koffee With Karan.
“I have never asked Virat. And now, I am not asking any cricketers after what happened with Hardik and Rahul,” Karan said, recalling the backlash that followed the 2019 episode. The controversy arose when Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul made remarks that were widely criticized as sexist and disrespectful towards women. The episode was pulled down from Disney+ Hotstar, and both cricketers faced suspension before India’s ODI series against Australia.
Reflecting on the incident, Karan admitted that he still feels responsible for the controversy and its aftermath, saying it made him more cautious about his guest choices.