Karan Johar, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma
Karan Johar's popular chat show Koffee With Karan has featured many celebrities, but one big name is still missing: Indian cricketer Virat Kohli. While Anushka Sharma has shown several times, Karan has disclosed that Virat's absence stems from the historic Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul controversy.
Recently, Karan spoke with Sania Mirza on her podcast, Serving It Up With Sania, about why he has never invited Virat, who is married to actor Anushka Sharma, to the event.
During the interview, Sania questioned him about the star he would like to have on the show, "who keeps refusing," and Karan mentioned Ranbir Kapoor. He explained, "He's come before, but for the last three seasons, he's said no." Ranbir's last appearance was with Ranveer Singh in 2016.
When Sania asked Karan to name someone who had never appeared on Koffee With Karan, the filmmaker paused to think. As she named Virat, Karan revealed that he never requested the cricketer to appear on the show.
"I have never asked Virat. And now, I am not asking any cricketers after what happened with Hardik (Pandya) and (KL) Rahul. There are many who I just felt wouldn't come, so I never asked them in the first place," Karan shared.
Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul received a lot of negative feedback on social media after appearing on Karan Johar's chat program in 2019. Many people condemned their sexist remarks and labelled them rude to women.
Amid criticism regarding cricketers Hardik and KL Rahul's 'inappropriate' statements on Koffee With Karan (KWK), Disney+ Hotstar removed their program at the time. Despite their apologies, both were suspended ahead of India's first one-day international against Australia. Karan also stated that he felt responsible for what the cricketers had gone through.
Karan Johar recently got candid about feeling lonely while receiving the national award. He said, "You feel the loneliest in your highs and not your lows," he told Mirza. "In your lows, you have your family, friends, parents and kids. I have two cousin sisters I am very close to, and I have my best friends. But in your highs, what do you do? I remember I received a call that I was getting a National Award. I hung up the call, and the first thing I thought about was, âWhat do I do tonight? Whose house do I go to? Whose hand do I hold? A little pat on the back, I needed and wanted to feel happy.'"
