Karan Johar reacts to his Koffee with Karan episode with KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya; says ‘I was scared and worried that no damage should happen to their careers'
Filmmaker and talk show host
Karan Johar
recently opened up on the infamous
Koffee with Karan controversy
involving cricketers
KL Rahul
and
Hardik Pandya
. In a candid chat on Raj Shamani's podcast, Karan addressed the backlash that followed the episode and how it deeply affected him on a personal level.
'When you are the host, the people you call are your guests,' Karan said, reflecting on the controversial episode. 'If they have said things, they've said it in the moment. What I felt terrible about was what happened to Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul — it completely threw me off.'
The episode, which aired in 2019, led to a massive public outcry due to sexist remarks made by the players, resulting in temporary suspensions from the BCCI.
Operation Sindoor
'Op Sindoor's precision & execution was unimaginable': Rajnath Singh
Operation Sindoor: India repels drone, missile attack across LoC
Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list
Recalling his anxiety at the time, Karan admitted, 'I was really scared and worried that no damage should happen to their careers. By God's grace, they are doing phenomenally well today. They are national treasures — I can't be responsible for dampening the image of our nation's heroes.
'
Despite the backlash, Karan stood by the episode and the format of his show. 'I don't regret anything they said. I don't regret not cutting anything out.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
If someone ever asks me to remove something, I do it out of respect — because they are my guest but I usually keep it as it is if there are no requests.'
The director also acknowledged the way the show has shaped his public persona. 'After Koffee with Karan, I have gotten a different reputation — that I'm 'this type.' But those who know me personally, know who I really am and the human being I am.'
While the controversy left an impact, Karan's reflections show a mix of responsibility, empathy, and an unwavering belief in the format that made Koffee with Karan iconic.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kundali Bhagya's Ashish Trivedi on marrying Rani Patel: Our courtship pictures were better than any pre-wedding photoshoot
Ashish Trivedi and Rani Patel In a time when elaborate pre-wedding shoots have become a norm, Kundali Bhagya actor Ashish Trivedi chose simplicity and intimacy. He tied the knot with Rani Patel, his girlfriend of eight years, on May 5 in a private destination wedding in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, attended by close friends and family. He says, 'The pictures we took over the years held more meaning than a pre-wedding shoot. We ended up using those cherished memories instead.' Speaking about the ceremony, he adds, 'The wedding was attended by not more than 100 people. We wanted it to be personal and heartfelt.' Ashish and Rani at their haldi ceremony Ashish was closely involved in planning every detail. He says, 'I wanted everything customised, which took time. We began preparing in February. Fortunately, my last show Kundali Bhagya ended in December, which gave me ample time to focus on the wedding. Now that our honeymoon is winding down, I'm gearing up to look for good work again.' The couple is currently enjoying a 14-day honeymoon, which started in Singapore and is concluding in Bali. Ashish met Rani, who acted in Gulaab Gang, at a gym in 2017. Reflecting on their journey, he shares, 'We took our time because we wanted to experience life's highs and lows together before committing. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like サントリーロコモアが５,９４０→１,０８０円で試せる ロコモア こちらをクリック Undo It's important to understand how you handle situations as a team.' On finding love in an industry known for fleeting relationships, Ashish says, 'I was never into flings and always made it clear that I was serious about Rani. I'm lucky to have found her. We're poles apart in personality, but maybe that's what works for us. Her confidence, the way she treats me, and how she handles every situation — good or bad — made me fall in love with her all over again.'
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Bollywood vs South cinema: Ram Gopal Varma says Amitabh Bachchan was why Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi became stars
Ram Gopal Varma has brought a candid perspective to the conversation around the early growth of South Indian cinema , claiming that much of its success during the 1970s and 1980s stemmed from remakes of Amitabh Bachchan's iconic Hindi films. In a detailed interview with IndiaTV Showbiz , the filmmaker stated that all four major Southern industries—Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam—were deeply influenced by the Bollywood superstar's work. He specifically named actors like Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, NT Rama Rao, and Rajkumar as beneficiaries of this trend, noting that many of their career-defining roles were recreations of Bachchan's celebrated performances. According to him, these remakes contributed directly to their transformation into cultural icons and, eventually, near-mythical figures among fans. Bachchan's Absence and the Southern Boom Varma highlighted that during Amitabh Bachchan's five-year hiatus in the 1990s, the landscape of Indian cinema saw a shift. While Bollywood entered a period where music labels started financing films primarily to promote their soundtracks—citing Maine Pyar Kiya as a pivotal example—the South Indian industries stayed true to the mass-entertainment format, continuing to produce 'masala' films modeled on Bachchan's earlier style. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDsกับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้| เปิดบัญชีวันนี้ IC Markets สมัคร Undo 'The South never stopped making the so-called masala films,' Varma remarked, suggesting that this consistent approach was central to cementing the stardom of leading South actors. The remakes weren't simply copies, he implied, but vehicles that allowed regional stars to become household names and, eventually, 'demigods.' Bollywood's Urban Edge vs. Southern Roots The director also pointed out a key difference in how filmmakers from both regions evolved. He said that Bollywood directors, particularly in the '90s, had a more global cinematic awareness, partly due to their fluency in English and urban backgrounds. In contrast, many Southern filmmakers, according to him, were less exposed to international cinema and operated with a focus on grassroots storytelling. 'They're very close to the ground root,' he said, implying that their content remained more accessible and audience-driven. The Pushpa Incident and Preconceived Notions Ram Gopal Varma also recounted a striking anecdote from the time leading up to the release of Pushpa: The Rise, directed by Sukumar and starring Allu Arjun. He said that a producer, whom he did not identify, watched the film a few days before its release and strongly doubted its reception. According to Varma, the producer predicted that audiences would reject the film outright—not because of the actor's performance, but due to the unconventional nature of the character, who chewed paan instead of fitting the usual six-pack-hero mold. 'He was not referring to the actor,' Varma clarified. 'They are so used to good-looking six-pack heroes… that they can't comprehend a hero chewing paan.' He noted that such criticism often stems from industry professionals projecting their own assumptions onto audiences, rather than engaging with the actual substance of the film. A Shared Culture of Adaptation Varma's remarks underscore a rarely acknowledged truth: while Bollywood is often criticized today for its over-reliance on remakes, the Southern industries once followed a similar trajectory. In those earlier decades, original scripts were a rarity across languages. As he put it, when a fresh concept—regardless of the language—achieved success, others quickly adopted and adapted it for their own audiences. The culture of adaptation, Varma suggests, was not a sign of creative bankruptcy but a strategic choice that shaped some of India's biggest film legends. And while the industries have evolved, the legacy of that era continues to influence storytelling today.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Madras HC seeks explanation from CBFC for denying censor certificate to Vetrimaaran's 'Manushi': 'Filmmakers are already suffering from a lot of difficulties'
The Madras High Court has raised strong concerns over the Central Board of Film Certification 's (CBFC) refusal to grant clearance to the Tamil film 'Manushi'. It has questioned the board's failure to clearly identify which parts of the film were deemed objectionable. Madras HC sought explanation The issue reached the court after acclaimed filmmaker Vetrimaaran filed a petition on Tuesday (June 3) . According to The Hindu, he challenged the CBFC's decision to withhold certification for 'Manushi', a film he produced and which was directed by filmmaker N. Gopi Nainar. Vetrimaaran argued that the board had not provided any clarity on which specific scenes, dialogues, visuals, or musical elements were problematic. Justice N. Anand Venkatesh, who presided over the matter, expressed concern about the opaque process followed by the CBFC. 'Making a movie is a part of the right to speech and expression. As such, the filmmakers are already suffering from a lot of difficulties. You cannot deny certification for an entire movie without specifying the objectionable portions and expect a filmmaker to shoot the entire movie afresh,' the judge reportedly said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The court observed that unless the CBFC clearly listed the scenes it found offensive, the filmmaker would be left in the dark and risk incurring heavy financial losses due to re-shoots or delays. Court's order to CBFC The CBFC has now been asked to either submit a detailed list of the objectionable parts of 'Manushi' or arrange a screening with Vetrimaaran and indicate the scenes that require changes. The deadline for this has been set for June 16. During the hearing, it was conveyed to the court that both the examining and revising committees of the CBFC had unanimously recommended withholding certification. Their objections reportedly included allegations that the film challenged the integrity of the state, contained contemptuous content, criticised government policies, perpetuated stereotypes contributing to a north-south divide, and depicted scenes allegedly against national interests. Vetrimaaran talks about Nitish Veera in an emotional video In response to these assertions, the judge asked the CBFC to file an explanation by June 11. About Manushi 'Manushi', starring Andrea Jeremiah in the lead, also features Nasser, Tamizh, Hakkim Shah, and Balaji Sakthivel in pivotal roles. The film's music has been composed by maestro Ilaiyaraaja . Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
