Virat Kohli Banned Forever? Karan Johar Swears Off Cricketers on Koffee With Karan
Karan Johar permanently bans cricketers from Koffee With Karan after Hardik-KL Rahul 2019 fiasco.
Filmmaker Karan Johar has clarified that Indian Cricketer Virat Kohli will not be seen on his talk show, Koffee With Karan, anytime soon. In a recent conversation with tennis star Sania Mirza on Myntra’s Glam Stream, the director revealed that he has deliberately chosen not to invite any cricketers following the massive controversy surrounding Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul’s appearance in 2019.
During the interview, Karan Johar admitted, “I have never asked Virat. And now, I am not asking any cricketers after what happened with Hardik and Rahul.” He added that there were several other celebrities he did not reach out to as he felt they might not be comfortable appearing on the show.
The infamous 2019 episode featuring Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul became one of the most controversial moments in the show’s history. Hardik’s remarks about women were widely condemned as misogynistic, leading to severe public backlash and disciplinary action from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The duo faced temporary suspension, missed an ODI series against Australia, and were fined Rs 20 lakh each for misconduct.
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Karan Johar previously expressed regret over the controversy, accepting partial responsibility for hosting the episode. He said he had many sleepless nights after the incident, feeling accountable for the repercussions the players faced. “It was my platform, and I invited them. So, the ramifications of the show were my responsibility,” he had said.
Since the controversy, Koffee With Karan has refrained from featuring athletes, focusing instead on film stars and public figures from the entertainment industry. The incident remains a turning point for the long-running talk show, influencing how celebrity conversations are handled in the public domain.
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