Showing posts with label Koffee With Karan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Koffee With Karan. Show all posts
Karan Johar calls out Bollywood’s hyper-masculinity trend
11:32 PM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 27, 2026)
Filmmaker Karan Johar has opened up about the industry’s growing obsession with hyper-masculine storytelling, calling out what he describes as a phase dominated by “big alpha” energy and testosterone-heavy narratives, with films like Animal (2023) and Dhurandhar franchise.
Karan observed that theatrical releases today are largely driven by high-octane, male-centric narratives, where aggression and machismo take centre stage.
Highlighting Bollywood’s ‘herd mentality’, he told The Week, “If one film works in a certain zone, there will be 10 more. So you will see 10 more high-octane testosterone movies where men are just walking in slow motion for no reason... They’ll all have beards and they will all smoke. Apparently, that’s what women like to watch, or at least, that’s what men think.”
He also reflected on the backlash he faced while portraying a different kind of masculinity through actor Ranveer Singh’s character in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023).
“I had a barrage of mainstream audiences who asked, ‘How could you depict a man like that?’ And I’m like, if I’m going to focus my attention on a certain audience and not have conviction, then why am I here? I am a born feminist and will always tell a feminist story.”
THE RETURN OF KANK AND KWK
Karan had quite a few exciting developments to share too as the filmmaker revealed the revival date of his talk show, Koffee With Karan. When asked by an audience member about the tentative date of the show’s return, Karan said with a smile, “Diwali. Season 9.” The show was last on air in 2024. He was also asked if he would adapt any of his movies into a series, and Karan replied, “We are adapting Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006) into a long form series.”
Even now, Shah Rukh Khan wants to know what we’re doing and is very involved-Ananya Panday
9:23 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; June 3, 2025)
Ananya Panday has navigated fame, criticism, and personal evolution in the public eye. Starting out at 18, today, she’s no longer just the industry’s young entrant — she’s a voice for Gen Z battling the complexities of stardom, social media, and self-worth. In this honest, light-hearted, yet meaningful conversation on Bombay Times Lounge, Ananya talks about the weight and pride of legacy, the nuances of modern relationships and why she’s finally free of the fear of being judged. Over to her...
You started your career at 18, now at 26 with a growing filmography and success to boast of, are you less scared of judgment and scrutiny now?
At the start, I was very eager to please everyone. Even now I am, and I hope that people like me, but I don’t feel the pressure. Earlier, I would take a lot of effort to make everyone happy at the risk of not being myself. I am not scared of judgment anymore, because too much has happened for me to be scared of that. I think I am a lot more comfortable in my skin now.
With fame and stardom comes a sudden power, right? And you have seen success at a fairly early age. How do you stay centered and continue to focus on the bigger picture?
The people around me keep me grounded. In the beginning, I used to think that if I said something, for instance, in an interview, then things would change. But I realized it doesn’t function like that, and only your work really speaks for everything. People will only come and pay their hard-earned money to watch you if they like your work and if they like you as a person.
Having seen your father Chunky Panday experience highs and lows in his career, did that shape your perspective?
Honestly, by the time I was born, my dad wasn’t acting that much, and he wasn’t getting too much work. It wasn’t like my parents were discussing it or aisa kuch chal raha tha ki ghar mein kuch problems hai, because my dad always kept doing something, even if he wasn’t on a film set. But while growing up, I sensed the way people reacted to my friends’ parents who were actors versus my dad. So, I would be like, ‘Oh, maybe there’s something different.’ Maybe in my subconscious, it was there. I learned to appreciate and value what I have in the moment and to also give it my best because you’re not going to keep getting chances. You have only one shot at it really.
You have won appreciation for your recent work, like Call Me Bae, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan and Kesari Chapter 2. However, conversations around you coming from a place of privilege continue. How do you feel about that?
I’ve always been the kind of person to acknowledge my privilege. Even when I went on Koffee With Karan for the first time, I said that I know that I’m privileged. I know that there are probably people out there who are more talented, better looking and more hardworking than I am. But now I’ve got this opportunity, and I don’t want to waste it, as this has also been my dream since I was a child. So, I’ve taken the shame out of being privileged and I look at it with a sense of pride. My father was a child of two doctors, and his dream was to become an actor, and he became one. He’s worked for 40-plus years, and if I can carry forward his legacy and make him proud, it will be a very big achievement for me. I don’t want to not be known as Chunky Pandey’s daughter. I’m so proud that he’s my father. I don’t want to look at it as a negative thing anymore because people will always have something to say.
Gen Z, like every generation, is battling its own set of problems – like social media pressure, body image issues, a sense of loneliness despite being in a crowd, just to point out a few. As someone living in the spotlight, how do you navigate this, and what’s your advice to young people on this?
There are days when I feel bogged down, when I read some comment or thread online that’s untrue, I kind of spiral. At the start, I would get really emotional and want to come out and say something. Over time, I think I have developed a thick skin, but at the end of the day, I’m human and I do feel bad. So, I would just say: feel whatever you’re feeling. If someone tells you not to cry, don’t listen to them. It’s okay to have days where you’re crying and you are angry and want to let it out. Bottling it up only makes it worse.
Talking about relationships, what according to you are the red flags in a man? Have you ever overlooked those because you have been deeply in love?
Yes, it happens. I think you make excuses for people, and you think that things will change. That happens with me where I change myself a lot for the person I am with – like I start watching the films he likes or if he dresses a certain way, I start dressing like that, which is not good. Again, it comes from that people-pleasing personality trait that I have. You should actually be yourself, and your partner should accept you for who you are. For me, the biggest red flags are the obvious ones – like cheating, lying, disrespecting you in public and all of that. I think someone who can’t be happy for you when you are doing well is a big red flag, especially for successful women. I also feel bad for men because they are often put under this societal pressure that they need to be a certain way. So, given this societal construct, a lot of people can’t fully be what they want to be and who they want to be.
‘There is no one like Shah Rukh Khan’
Ask her about the kind influence Shah Rukh Khan has had in her life, as she’s seen him closely since her childhood days, and she says, “I think the way Shah Rukh Khan handles his personal and professional life -- there’s no one like him. While growing up, I saw first-hand what an amazing father he is to Aryan, Suhana and AbRam and the way he’s been with all of us. He would train us all for our sports day and taekwondo competitions. He was very, very present in what was happening in our lives. Even now, he wants to know what we’re doing and is very involved. Also, when he is talking to you, he has this quality of making you feel that you are the only person in the world. There is no one like him!
I just gave up drinking coffee. When I would shoot for KWK, I would drink nimbu paani or just water-Karan Johar
9:46 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; October 1, 2024)
He made the idea of conversations over coffee cool, glam and irresistible. What brewed on his chat show Koffee With Karan (KWK), was hotter than the hamper and more addictive than the cuppa coffee. Over the last two decades, some of the flavours have changed, some of the goss has been tossed, but the stars still spill enough beans to give you that stimulating blend.
On International Koffee Day (blame KJo for the K), Karan Johar talks about the coffee drinking culture and the vibe around it – on and off the show.
You made conversations over coffee as glam and glossy as some of your movies, and of course, even changed the way ‘koffee’ was spelt for the entire nation.
I remember once being reprimanded by an English teacher who bumped into me, and she said, “Thanks to you, all my students write coffee with a K!” And this was in that phase of my life when I thought K was my lucky alphabet. I remember the point when I was thinking what I should call my talk show. I wanted the show to be about friends coming together, chatting candidly and just off the cuff. Nothing loaded, nothing heavy. And I thought, that’s what you do when you have coffee with friends. So, that’s where it all began. Back then, at one point, people would see me and start screaming coffee, coffee... and I had to tell them, my name is not coffee, I am not a beverage!
It’s been two decades since the first season of KWK. The coffee on your show has also changed flavours, and you have found different ways to brew a conversation with your guests. How do you feel about that?
I’ll tell you what happened – in the first couple of seasons, the stars had no filters, because there was no social media going crazy online and everything was not like a click bait headline. And then, I could tell that slowly with every season, the stars became more guarded. So, then I made my show more gamey and fun, where you could see them at least dropping their guard as cool people, even if they weren’t disclosing their personal opinions. I don’t blame them for not opening up, because they were afraid of a PR nightmare, and I understand that because today, we have to watch our P’s and Q’s when we talk, and our thoughts are racing ahead of our words.
Growing up, you were a shy and introverted boy. Then you turned into a filmmaker, which required you to be behind the camera. What prompted you to face the camera as a chat show host, as that’s quite a mindset shift for a filmmaker?
In 2000, I hosted two segments of an award show for the first time, and back then, it was an unusual choice for a filmmaker to be a host. Then, I did it the next year, and the year after that for other awards shows. And in the interim, just on a whim I got this idea about doing a chat show. I was always a huge fan of Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan hosted by Tabassum and Rendezvous with Simi Garewal. I believe that both these illustrious ladies are the real OGs, and they are responsible for the talk show culture in our country. I came in much later, but I’d like to believe that I did it my way.
In your observation, do you think the new generation of actors are far more guarded and wary of opening up in conversations?
The younger generation, while they may be more energetic, are more careful. They’re far more guided by their publicists and strategy management teams. I don’t blame anyone. Everyone’s guided to say the right thing and to come across in the right way. But there is a generation before them that is so pure and organic, and there is a generation even before them who don’t have any filters because they don’t fear consequences. They’ve achieved enough in life. It’s the new generation that are building their careers, and they fear consequences. They are living in a social media generation, where nothing they say can go unheard or unnoticed. At times, it gets blown out of proportion and you become a headline.
The show has evolved, and naturally, you have too. Over the years, people have seen a side of your personality that they wouldn’t get a glimpse of if you were only making movies. Would you say it is a good thing to have happened?
You know, it can be good and bad. People who are really close to me, know me for the person I am. But there are many who form an opinion of me after seeing the show. They think you are this bi***y, gossipy person. But what you are doing is playing a part of the drama, and it’s for fun. And that’s not all that I am doing. I am simultaneously contributing to the arts and cinema. Somehow, I am stuck with a lot of perception problems. I feel that people perceive me in a certain way because of the part I have played as a talk show host. Not all of me is what’s on the show. The perceptive people can see through the surface glamour, but there are many who can’t do that.
Have there been any life-changing moments or conversations that happened over a cup of coffee in reality?
Well, during most of my sessions with my therapist I have had coffee, and some of those have been life-changing in many ways and there is no shame in saying that. Many of us seek help, I call it urban angst where we are living in cities, surrounded by noise of all kinds, virtual and literal. Many of us feel the need to express our emotions in the confines of a space, where you feel safe. In many such sessions, I have had coffee, so I guess I have had about 20 such life changing conversations over coffee.
Did You Know?
Karan gave up coffee for a few years. He reveals, “At one point in my life, I just gave up drinking coffee. When I would shoot for KWK, I would drink nimbu paani or just water. Eventually, I went back to coffee. I had a mannat, and I wanted to give up something I really liked. So, every time I have to give up something I really like, it’s always coffee.”
Conversations over coffee often make you break boundaries and barriers with people. I think some great conversations have happened over coffee in real life as well. Coffee also gives you that skip in your step kind of energy. I love my coffee, though I am not addicted to it
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Some episodes in the last season were intense, and we got mixed reactions, like some said this is not really KWK. But my reaction to that was, your coffee also has to keep changing, your cup of coffee can’t always be steamy. It can’t always be served the way you want it
As Karan Johar expresses outrage over being mimicked; comedians and celebs share their views
8:18 AM
After Karan Johar’s outraged Insta Story about being mimicked on TV, we ask comics and celebs — how far is too far?
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 7, 2024)
Filmmaker Karan Johar expressed hurt over being mimicked on a TV show, in his Insta Story, on Sunday. Producer Ektaa R Kapoor, too, shared it, writing: ‘Happened so many times! Ugly humour sometimes on shows…’
Social media was quick to deduce that Johar was referring to the show Madness Machayenge - India Ko Hasayenge, and the actor in question was Kettan Singh, who hosts a Koffee With Karan parody called Coffee with Churan, on the show.
Mimicry and impersonation are a routine feature on comedy shows, but the filmmaker’s outcry begs the question: how much is too much? We talk to celebs and comics on the debate.
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I was sitting and watching television with my mom... and saw a promo of a reality comedy show on a supposedly respectable channel... a comic was mimicking me in exceptionally poor taste... I expect this from trolls and faceless and nameless people but when your own industry can disrespect someone who has been in the business for over 25 years it speaks volumes about the times we live in... this doesn’t even anger me it just makes me sad! (sic)
- Karan Johar
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KETTAN SINGH’S DEFENCE
Karan sir saw the promo, not the episode. I don’t know whether he didn’t like me impersonating him or saying something that was offensive. I extend my apology and won’t argue. I can’t point out that it’s because of the writer who wrote the material, because it’s teamwork.
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The mimics
DR SANKET BHOSALE
Your intent with impersonating someone has to be very clear. There’s a very thick — not thin — line between making fun of someone and mimicking someone. Both my wife Sugandha (Mishra, comic) and I mimic people to impress them. We never use abusive language.
VIKALP MEHTA
With comedy, even if you don’t want, someone might get offended. (Actor) Ranveer Singh also mimicked (actors) Hrithik Roshan and Varun Dhawan on Koffee with Karan, and Karan ji was laughing then. I went on India’s Got Talent, Karan ji enjoyed my mimicry of (actor) Akshay Kumar. An artiste only aims to make people laugh, but yes, we should be responsible.
JAMIE LEVER
I am very mindful of where I draw the line. I will not go overboard or ever talk about say, Farah (Khan, choreographer) ji’s kids or husband, or make a remark on how she is earning money. That may be a bit below the belt. So, making fun of all that or someone’s sexual orientation... Things like that, we have to be mindful of.
The mimicked
JAVED AKHTAR, SCREENWRITER
People who mimic do end up saying a lot, but I wonder if their intentions are vicious. It’s done for fun. I’ve been mimicked on radio and stage. Kabhi agar paani sar se uncha ho gaya toh nahin karenge phir woh (upon realizing). But I will request those who mimic: there’s a limit, and never make it vulgar.
UDIT NARAYAN JHA, SINGER
I like being mimicked. Mimicry bhi usi artiste ki hoti hai jo logon ke priya hote hain. Apni-apni soch ki baat hai — for me it’s nothing to feel bad about.
Disney+ Hotstar and Jio Cinema to merge; here's what will change
8:11 AM
With Disney+ Hotstar set for a merger with Jio Cinema, sources say upcoming seasons of its popular series Aarya and Criminal Justice to remain unaffected; streamer, however, stops commissioning new shows
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 29, 2023)
For the past few weeks, all eyes in the entertainment industry have been on the merger between Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema. It is heard that Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has signed a non-binding deal with Walt Disney Co, which includes the merger of the two streaming platforms.
Buzz in the industry is that while the deal will be finalized by February-end, it will be put into effect only after April 2024. With this merger, Jio Cinema—which got a boost earlier this year when it secured the Indian Premier League (IPL) streaming rights for five years—is en route to establishing itself as one of the country’s top OTT platforms.
One wonders what the on-ground changes will be at both streamers. While Jio Cinema announced a strong slate of originals in late 2022, Disney+ Hotstar has built a wide library over the years. However, the latter took a beating when it lost the rights to stream HBO shows in India, in April.
A production house representative, whose show has been commissioned by Disney+ Hotstar, reveals, “We have been told to go ahead with our show as expected. In my understanding, the producers, whose shows have been greenlit, won’t be affected. That said, the platform is not commissioning fresh shows at this stage.”
Aarya, Criminal Justice and Koffee With Karan have been among the platform’s most successful offerings and shouldn’t be immediately affected by the deal. Word on the street is that the next season of the Sushmita Sen-starrer is in development, and Criminal Justice’s next edition is set to roll in early 2024.
A Disney+ Hotstar insider breaks it down, saying, “In terms of operations, the platform has always been a facilitator instead of an active producer. That is coming handy in the current situation because the productions are running smoothly without much intervention from it. For instance, Special Ops’ new season is on floors and is unaffected by the change of hands.”
What about the fate of the new series like Karan Johar’s production Showtime, or Raveena Tandon’s Karmma Calling? A source reveals, “These two are the platform’s tentpole shows, and the idea is to release them on priority. The release of some other important series is also being expedited.”
It is being speculated that over time, Disney+ Hotstar will not be a separate entity. The source adds, “The domain name will cease to exist. The app will become a channel under the Jio umbrella, along the lines of what happened to Voot.”
Journalist accuses Karan Johar’s show Koffee With Karan ‘lifted’ her work in the recent episode
8:09 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (July 19, 2022)
Filmmaker Karan Johar’s popular chat show Koffee With Karan has been accused of plagiarism and using content without giving due credit. On Friday, writer-journalist Manya Lohit Ahuja posted that the show’s recent episode, featuring actors Janhvi Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan, had content — in its quiz segment — that she had created for a portal in 2020. Ahuja added that it was used without her permission and she wasn’t given any credit either.
The two actors were asked to guess films based on ‘badly described plots’ during the quiz segment by Johar. One of the questions he asked had his film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’s (2001) plot described as, “a grown man who can’t tie his shoelaces ends up accidentally revealing his hidden identity to his former nanny”.
Ahuja shared that bit of video from the episode on Twitter, along with the article she had written, which contained the exact same question. The article titled ‘Calling all Bollywood Buffs: Guess the movie with the help of these badly explained plots’ included the Kabhi Khushi... question, verbatim.
Ahuja captioned the Instagram and Twitter posts, “So #KoffeeWithKaran lifted the IP I started.” She further added, “I came up with this concept and I had a lot of fun writing these but to not be credited just because it was frivolous is not acceptable!? If you lift the copy, give the credit.”
Her Instagram caption further read, “I have decided that I cannot let this go. I want credit for my work — it may not be world-changing work, but it is mine nonetheless.”
We tried reaching out to the OTT platform that airs the show, Johar’s representatives, and Ahuja herself. None of them replied till the time we went to press.
How Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif met and how their romance blossomed
8:41 AM
As the star couple ties the knot today, here’s a deep dive into their romance, that they kept as hush-hush as their nuptials
BOMBAY TIMES (December 9, 2021)
It’s pretty much impossible for actors to keep their relationships out of the spotlight these days, with paparazzi following them and fans sharing videos of their off-duty time. However, Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif, not only managed to keep their ongoing wedding celebrations in Rajasthan under wraps, but they also managed to keep their romance away from the media glare. The two were barely spotted together during the dating phase. Since they had never acted in a film together, many wondered how this romance blossomed. During her appearance on Karan Johar’s chat show Koffee With Karan in 2018, the actress said that she would like to work with Vicky Kaushal as she feels they may look good together. A few episodes later, when Vicky was on the show, Karan told him about Katrina’s statement, the actor, who was thrilled, pretended to faint with joy. Here’s how their love story unfolded after this.
1. JAB THEY MET
Apparently, Vicky and Katrina’s first meeting was in 2019 when they shot for a chat show where they discussed their work and experiences in the industry. Later that year, they shared the stage at an awards function when Vicky jokingly proposed to her. He said, “Aap kisi acche se Vicky Kaushal ko dhoondh ke shaadi kyun nahi kar leti?”
Sometime later, they were spotted on a dinner date, pictures from which went viral. After this, there was constant speculation regarding them dating. However, they were never clicked together. Still, their appearance at a friend’s Diwali bash in 2019 added fuel to the rumours.
2. PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK WITH PAPARAZZI
In March 2020, they were spotted having a great time at Isha Ambani’s Holi party, which also had other celebrities, including Priyanka Chopra Jonas and her husband Nick Jonas, in attendance. This year in August, they turned up for a special screening of Sidharth Malhotra’s film Shershaah, but they made sure that they were not photographed together. Katrina also attended the screening of Vicky Kaushal’s recent release Sardar Udham, but here too, the couple made separate entries and exits.
3. WHEN HARSH VARRDHAN KAPOOR LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG!
While the industry knew about their romance, there was no confirmation, as the couple hadn’t spoken about it. However, in an interview with Zoom this June, Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor – when asked about a rumoured relationship in Bollywood that is real – said, “Vicky and Katrina are together, that’s true. Am I going to get in trouble for saying this? I don’t know. I think they’re quite open about it.”
4. TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
During the pandemic, Vicky was clicked a couple of times when he visited Katrina at her home. It was rumoured that the couple even brought in the New Year together in Alibaug. Online sleuths were convinced that Vicky’s reflection was visible in an image shared by Katrina online, which was later deleted.
Talk about them taking their relationship to the next level began this Diwali when there were reports of a roka ceremony at filmmaker Kabir Khan’s house. These love birds, who are tying the knot today have indeed managed to keep their relationship as private as possible.
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IT’S D-DAY FOR VICKY-KATRINA
After a fun-filled-sangeet, Katrina and Vicky’s colourful haldi ceremony took place at Fort Barwara in Sawai Madhopur. “The musical-sangeet evening lasted till midnight and guests enjoyed a small performance by Gurdas Maan,” a source told us.
Following their wedding today, where Punjabi band RDB is expected to perform, the buzz is that the couple will visit Chauth Mata temple, which is close to their wedding venue, to seek blessings. As per sources, the guests will be taken for a tiger safari at the Ranthambore National Park and a crocodile safari at the National Chambal Sanctuary in Palighat village near the main city.
– Agencies (with inputs from Richa Shukla)
A to Z of the much awaited Vicky Kaushal-Katrina Kaif wedding
8:26 AM
Ahead of the commencement of celebrations in Rajasthan, we bring you a low-down on the Wedding of the Year
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 7, 2021)
Adequate arrangements: Measures to control crowd and smooth regulation of traffic were discussed in a recent meeting convened by district collector of Sawai Madhopur, Rajendra Kishan, in the presence of hotel management, other concerned officials.
Bouncers: Private agencies in Delhi and Jaipur will be deploying bouncers at the venue. Additionally, actor Salman Khan’s bodyguard Shera’s team will reportedly provide security.
Court marriage: Reports suggest the couple is officially married already, as they had a court marriage in Mumbai on December 3 under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
Drones: SOPs state that drones, if spotted in the vicinity of Six Senses Fort Barwara — the resort where Kaif and Kaushal will tie the knot — would be shot down.
Ex-flames: Kaushal’s ex- girlfriend, actor Harleen Sethi, and Kaif’s ex, actor Ranbir Kapoor, have reportedly not been invited to the grand affair. As for Salman Khan, his sister, Arpita Khan Sharma, had said she hasn’t received an invite. Also, a source close to the Khans clarified that reports of them attending Kaif and Kaushal’s D-Day are “false”.
Fashion designers: Earlier, reports said the couple will wear Sabyasachi on their big day. Now, we hear Kaif will wear an Abu Jani ensemble for the mehendi, a Manish Malhotra lehenga for the sangeet and Gucci at the reception, while Kaushal is likely to wear Kunal Rawal and Raghavendra Rathore attires. Also, paps spotted boxes from Falguni Shane Peacock being delivered to Kaif recently.
Guests: A total of 120 people have been invited to the wedding. These include filmmakers Farah Khan, Shashank Khaitan, Zoya Akhtar, Ali Abbas Zafar, Kabir Khan and Rohit Shetty, actors Mini Mathur, Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, Varun Dhawan and wife Natasha Dalal, Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Anushka Sharma, cricketer Virat Kohli and philanthropist Nita Ambani.
Helicopter: To keep the privacy of their wedding sacrosanct, the couple is planning to take a helicopter from Jaipur straight to the wedding venue in Chauth Ka Barwara.
International magazine coverage: Following in the footsteps of actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas and singer Nick Jonas, Kaif and Kaushal will reportedly sell the rights of their wedding pictures to the Indian edition of an international magazine for crores.
Jodhpur touch: Sojat mehendi from Jodhpur’s Pali district will be gifted to the couple. A firm in Sojat has been given the order to supply 20kg of mehendi powder and 400 mehendi cones.
Karan Johar: It is believed that sparks flew between Kaif and Kaushal after their appearances on the filmmaker’s talk show, Koffee With Karan. When Kaif was asked who she wanted to work with next, she spoke highly of Kaushal, and it surprised him to no extent. Weeks ago, Johar even dropped major hints about their relationship when he appeared on a comedy show.
La familia: The lovebirds will seal the deal in the presence of loved ones, including Kaif’s sisters Isabelle Kaif and Natasha Turquotte, and brother Sebastian Laurent Michel, among others.
Mandap: Buzz is that the duo will exchange garlands in a specially designed, opulent gazebo-style glass mandap.
NDA: Guests will need to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) stating no disclosure of wedding attendance, no photos or location are to be shared on social media, no contact with the outside world till they leave the venue. All photos are to be published only after approval from the wedding planners. Also, no reels or videos can be made.
Organizers: The district collector has reportedly asked all organisers to follow strict Coronavirus protocols. All guests must carry vaccination certificates and negative RT-PCR reports to the venue. As per sources, plans are on to downsize the number of guests. A source told Pinkvilla, “Katrina’s side also has a few guests who will be travelling from overseas and that might change, given the new travel guidelines being issued.”
Plant sapling: To mark the auspicious occasion, the couple will reportedly plant saplings as a part of the rituals.
Questions we need answers to: Why so secretive? And if you want it to be a secret, who’s giving out all the details? Did you take tips from Virushka on how to keep a celeb wedding a secret?
Royal entry: Kaushal will make a grand entry with his baraat, for which seven white horses will be selected, reports suggest.
Sangeet: Bling is apparently the theme for the sangeet, which will comprise performances by the bride, groom and celebs, too.
Tiger safari: Guests will be treated to an exclusive safari at the Ranthambore National Park, 25-30km from Six Senses. Ostensibly, the couple will also go on a safari after their marriage.
Ushers: At the wedding, ushers have been instructed to carry phones without cameras, to make sure no pictures are leaked.
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma: Kaif and Kaushal will move into a plush rented apartment in the same building in Juhu, Mumbai, where Kohli and Sharma are put up. “The security deposit paid by Kaushal is close to ₹1.75 crore, rent for first 36 months is ₹8 lakh,” Varun Singh, head of a real estate portal, told India Today.
Wedding trousseau: On December 4, Kaushal was papped outside Kaif’s residence in Bandra, Mumbai, reportedly to discuss final fittings and for last-minute trousseau prep. Stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania also joined them.
X-Mas celebrations on hold: Kaif and Kaushal’s first Christmas as newlyweds may be a working one, as the duo will dive into upcoming projects with filmmakers Sriram Raghavan and Laxman Utekar, respectively.
Yes, said Kaif: Speculations are that Kaushal popped the question in filmy style by gifting his lady love a box of custom-made dark chocolate brownies. Kaif was surprised when she opened the box to find a ring and note that said, ‘Will you marry me?’ say reports.
Zubaan pe taala: Bollywood grapevine is buzzing with stories of their nuptials, but the couple has decided to remain tight-lipped. Preparations, including the speculative roka ceremony held at Kabir Khan’s residence on Diwali, are being done in a hush-hush fashion.
Harmless banter on shows has been widely dissected, but that can't be reason to change our format-Neha Dhupia
8:28 AM
Amid the outpouring of hate against Koffee With Karan, Neha Dhupia on launching the latest season of podcast with similar treatment
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 26, 2020)
Neha Dhupia, who is gearing up to launch the fifth season of her celebrity podcast series No Filter Neha, says it will stand out from previous editions. "We are recording on Zoom, with 20 people working on the back-end. A face-to-face conversation is more intimate, but we have to adapt," says the actor-host, who will open the series with Saif Ali Khan.
A breezy show that has stars spilling the beans on their professional and personal lives, No Filter Neha shares similarities with Koffee With Karan in terms of theme and treatment. With Karan Johar's chat show being slammed amid the ongoing insider-versus-outsider debate, Dhupia believes her podcast has always employed an empathetic gaze. "Harmless banter on shows has been widely dissected, but that can't be the reason to change our format. In this season, the conversations will revolve around celebrities making sense of the new world we are living in and will focus on their time with family."
Recently, the actor was trolled on social media after Suchitra Krishnamoorthi alleged that she got a talk show because of her "chamchagiri" to Johar. Dhupia, who responded to her claims with a strongly worded post, reflects, "[It's strange that] people who don't know me have an opinion on my life! [Ideally] they shouldn't get away with sitting in front of a laptop and taking jabs at others. Or one must not pay heed and move on."
Sushant Singh Rajput's suicide pulled cover off glittering world of showbiz-Swara Bhasker
8:59 AM
“The moment of Sushant’s passing should have been about him and his talent, and not us,” says Swara Bhasker as she addresses the outrage and charges that have been exchanged since his death
Anshul Chaturvedi (BOMBAY TIMES; July 23, 2020)
Over a month after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, what is your take on all the phrases the air is thick with – nepotism, favouritism, insider, outsider, mafia?I think Sushant’s demise was a shock and a tragedy that has moved everyone – his fans, his colleagues, audiences and the industry. It seems inexplicable that such a successful, handsome and popular star with such a bright career ahead of him, sitting on a 200-crore grossing super hit film (Chhichhore) should feel the need to take his own life – it’s hard to stomach and even harder to make sense of.
There is genuine grief. I think people are just latching onto theories and possible explanations to make sense of a tragic act that seems inexplicable and too painful to accept. It’s comforting in such a time to lay the blame on someone and vilify them – it makes the pain easily consumable. I think underneath all this anger, all this need for accusations and name-calling there is genuine grief and pain in the audience and in the public. I think there is also guilt – a feeling that we didn’t appreciate Sushant enough while he was alive. And now he is gone, and we can do nothing – so almost as a praayashchit we are turning this into a cause and attacking constructed villains.
What’s your perspective on the arguments for and against the possibility that Sushant would take an extreme step?
I don’t want to speculate as to the reasons for Sushant’s unfortunate actions. It was painful to learn of it. At a personal level, it left me shaken for days, though I didn’t know Sushant personally at all.
But I think what was really tragic was the way Sushant’s death was used by certain people for their personal agendas. The media and the way it covered the tragedy was despicable. What his family was subjected to was sickening. The fact that WhatsApp groups were circulating images of his corpse – I mean it’s unbelievably insensitive. And then the accusations began, the abuse and slander of star kids and ‘insiders’ and the hate and trolling of well, everyone, including what his ex-girlfriends were subjected to. And we lost Sushant again. Really, I feel we lost him twice. The moment of his passing should have been about him. Not about us. About his talent, not our vendetta. About his successes, not our frustration. Sushant is a story of tremendous success, he should inspire us. Why are we acting like Sushant was a struggler or a failure?
Sushant in the act of his suicide pulled the cover off our glittering, glamorous world of showbiz. We are unable to accept that even if you have all the material success – the box office hits, the money, the swanky cars, the beautiful girlfriends, the new house, the fame and popularity – there may still be an aching pain, or darkness in you that can grasp you and just not let go. Shouldn’t the real lesson here be that we never know what pain another human being is in, and so we must endeavour to be kinder to each other? We must try to listen to each other, to watch for signs. And to educate ourselves about mental health. And not use this as an excuse to bully one another, be cruel, hateful and, in some cases, downright criminal (like giving rape threats and death threats).
You were in a verbal joust with Kangana Ranaut and her fans. What is the undercurrent between the two of you?
There was no undercurrent really. I was a bit taken aback by Kangana’s comments in those two interviews she gave. She called Taapsee Pannu and me “Chaaploos, chaatney waaley, needy outsider, B grade actress!” I was like wow! That’s a lot of flattering adjectives!
Honestly, I respect Kangana for the journey she has had, her body of work, I think she is a very good actress, she’s feisty and stands up for herself, which is a great quality for women to imbibe; and to many people she is an inspiring role model. I don’t have to agree with everything she says – in fact I can actively disagree with the positions she takes on various issues. And she can disagree with me. That’s okay, that’s our democratic right. And I really do not want to pull down another woman publicly or demean and degrade her – it doesn’t feel right. And as a stated feminist – it feels damaging. Whatever unpleasant personal experiences I’ve had with her in the past – and currently, I guess – I’m totally okay to let that pass, and objectively appreciate her achievements or acting.
The only thing is that she tends to make bizarre counter-factual accusations on public platforms and when she does that about me, I feel the need to set the record straight. She said in an interview, and I quote, “Swara said that my claims of nepotism are fake.” This is quite simply, untrue. I’ve never said that. I’ve in fact said that “everyone agrees nepotism exists in Bollywood”. It’s just that I think there are structural reasons for that and we need to go deeper than individual name-calling and understand that structure, if we want to change anything for the better. I actually questioned Karan Johar about the ‘feudal’ nature of Bollywood before Kangana did. So it’s bizarre to say that I – who has suffered nepotism like all outsiders – would say it doesn’t exist.
Just like she has struggled and achieved her place, so have I. I may not be the ‘highest paid actress in the industry’ but I too am an outsider who came to the industry with no contacts. I worked my way up and I now have a body of work that I stand by and that I’m proud of. I don’t care what grade someone wants to give me, that’s their right.
To me all these girls are inspiring – Taapsee Pannu, Richa Chadha, Huma Qureshi, Radhika Apte and Kangana, and so many others. We are all women who have made it on our own; we are all inspiring role models for younger girls. All of us deserve to be celebrated.
The classifications that we hear about – insider/outsider,A-lister/B-lister – where do you find yourself standing, and how do you feel about such usage?
‘Insider’ ‘outsider’ is a fluid term right? Like Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Aishwarya Rai were once outsiders. Ayushmann Khurrana is a great example of an outsider making it big. As far as A and B lists go – I think stardom is basically a reflection of success, power and power dynamics, and that too changes with every hit and flop that you give. I feel, stars may be classified as A and B but actors should be judged on the merit of their art and performances. We may find that some of the finest and best actors and actresses in Bollywood never made it to A lists and A-list parties. So? Does that diminish their value as artists? Is art only great if it is materially successful? Some of the greatest films, like Kaagaz Ke Phool for example, were box office duds. Today that film is taught in cinema studies classes. Our levels of debate need to be more nuanced and better informed. Also I think that people must understand that ‘outsider stars’ when they get power may behave as badly as ‘insider stars.’ Abuse of power is not dictated by where you are born.
You had tweeted that blaming Karan and Alia Bhatt for Sushant’s death because of “a silly game played on a frivolous and pointless chat show is both the height of idiocy and hypocrisy!”
I stand by my statement. We cannot become a society where murder charges and suicide abetment accusations are thrown about so casually. Karan and Alia are not my personal friends, I know them only socially. I have never worked with Dharma, I have never been invited to Karan’s parties and I’ve never been on Koffee With Karan. Many of us who are active in the industry haven’t. Maybe some of us feel left out. Does that make Karan a murderer? So Alia gave a flippant answer to a silly game on a frivolous chat show. Does that make her a murderess? Have we as a society completely lost all sense of balance, objectivity and rationality? This is the worst kind of mob mentality that we are fanning. It doesn’t bode well for us as a society. I think we all need a strong dose of rational objectivity and empathy, in these stressful times.
Star World to go off air soon; Indian shows to stream online?
8:44 AM
With Star World slated to go off air, sources say Indian originals to directly stream on Disney+ Hotstar app
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; June 26, 2020)
In the wake of Star India pulling the plug on its English entertainment channel, Star World, questions have arisen over the fate of some Indian originals. Sources inform that most shows commissioned by the channel will now stream directly on Disney+ Hotstar, the digital arm of the media network, which will creatively co-produce the offerings.It is learnt that the decision to axe the channel was prompted by its poor performance following the OTT boom in India. A source informs, "With many of Star World's international series available on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, the viewership had dropped considerably. Now that Disney has entered a joint venture with Star, changes are being made to the content slate. The top brass of Hotstar are in talks with the producers of Indian originals, including Koffee With Karan and MasterChef India. While the next season of Karan Johar's chat show is not slated until next year, the upcoming edition of the cooking reality show will stream directly on Disney+ Hotstar. The suits at the streaming service are also initiating new tie-ups to bring more shows to the roster."
mid-day reached out to Star World, which remained unavailable for comment.
The curious case of Deepika Padukone's relationship with Ranbir Kapoor and his parents
7:57 AM
In 11 years, the Chhapaak actress’ equation with the khandaan has done a 360-degree turn. And, it’s all for the better
Meena Iyer (DNA; May 17, 2019)
Circa 2008. Deepika Padukone was good friends with Ranbir Kapoor. She often spent time with the Saawariya boy at his residence, Krishna Raj on Pali Hill. Her equation with his parents, Neetu and Rishi Kapoor, at that point was starched (kadak). The seniors were as warm to her as they were to their son’s other pals, who hung out at their bungalow. However, they definitely maintained a distance.
Fast forward to 2010: Deepika and Ranbir stopped being good friends and the Kapoors also saw little of her. The equation worsened when the former and Sonam K Ahuja took a dig at RK junior on an episode of Koffee With Karan. The seniors were hurt because DP and Sonam openly slighted their son on national television.
But, time is a great healer.
DP moved into a committed relationship with Ranveer Singh, just like Ranbir moved on with his life and girlfriends. And being the perfect goodwill ambassador that she is, the svelte star took it upon herself to mend all her previous relationships.
During the making of Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha (2015), Deepika and Ranbir’s relationship evolved; it made way for a mature friendship. As a result, the Kapoors also warmed up to her. Both the seniors were candid about their appreciation for the Bengaluru girl, who was ruling Bollywood.
Last year when Padmaavat released, Rishi was full of praise for the movie. Neetu and he loved Rani Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji in the movie. Besides articulating their feelings to the maker of Padmaavat, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, whose work they applauded the most, the Kapoor couple made it a point to send flowers and a note to Deepika.
The latter shared her note on her social media handle. “Excellent work. So very proud of you... Love Neetu and Rishi Kapoor,” the handwritten note read. The actress also shared a picture of the bouquet and card the star couple had sent. Few knew that the leggy lass’ husband, Ranveer, too, had received a note and bouquet from Rishi and Neetu because he didn’t really go out there to mention it. But the Kapoors had loved him equally in the film and he acknowledged their appreciation to them over a phone call.
That be as it may, earlier this week Deepika, who was in New York for her MET Gala appearance, made it a point to visit Ranbir's parents who are currently residing there. This time, Neetu shared adorable pictures of the three of them — Rishi, Deepika and her — hugging and smiling. She wrote on her Instagram, “Such a fun evening with adorable Deepika Padukone. Gave lot of love and warmth.” A few days later, the Chhapaak actress posted an image of an adorable bracelet, which was gifted to her by Ranbir’s sister Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, who is a jewellery designer. She shared a picture of her wearing the bijouterie, tagging both Neetu as well as Riddhima and wrote ‘Blessings & good wishes...’
Like they say, if you will it, you can make it happen. Kudos to Deepika and, of course, to the Kapoors, too.
(Clockwise from left) The pic that Neetu Kapoor posted after Deepika visited her and Rishi Kapoor in New York; Last year, the Kapoors sent flowers and a note to Deepika after Padmaavat’s release; Deepika flaunts a bracelet that was gifted by Riddhima Kapoor Sahni
Sonam and my father have the funniest dynamic on this planet-Rhea Kapoor
8:39 AM
Nishi Tiwari (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 29, 2018)
Besides mimicking him, describing him as a father and discussing his famously quirky traits, the Kapoor kids also dish dirt on the interesting rapport that AK shares with his firstborn. While public perception is that Sonam and Anil share an easy-going equation, Rhea reveals on the Star World show that in reality, the duo “walks on eggshells around each other”.
“Sonam and my father have the funniest dynamic on this planet,” Rhea, who calls her dad “AK”, begins, adding, “Both of them are extremely creative, crazy and sensitive personalities so they can’t handle each other’s reactions. AK will sometimes say, ‘Beta, can you please go and tell Sonam this,’ and I’m like, ‘Why aren’t you telling her?’ And he says, ‘Nahin, nahin, I’ll tell her. It’s just that I am afraid that her reaction could be violent,’” she laughed.
Interestingly, the stylist-filmmaker goes on to describe her own relationship with Anil as more of the “buddy sort”. Quite the modern family, this.
Baahubali trio Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, S S Rajamouli to debut on Karan Johar’s chat show, Koffee With Karan?
7:51 AM
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; December 6, 2018)
The ongoing season of Karan Johar’s chat show, Koffee With Karan, has seen new faces grace the couch — most notably, Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor. Now, we hear the filmmaker has convinced the Baahubali trio — superstars Prabhas, Rana Daggubati and director S S Rajamouli — to make their debut on the show.
Johar’s camaraderie with the trio goes back to 2015 when he had presented the Hindi version of Baahubali: The Beginning, followed by their collaboration on the sequel. A source reveals, “Given that they are the minds behind the biggest Indian film and have gained pan-India popularity, KJo wanted them to feature on the show. Prabhas, who is otherwise media-shy, agreed to make an appearance only as a mark of his respect for Karan. The episode will be shot later this month. Prabhas, Rana and Rajamouli will trace the journey of Baahubali, while revealing several interesting nuggets that the audience may not be aware of. It won’t be surprising if Karan also taps into Prabhas’s personal life and his single status. This will be the first time that stars from the Telugu film industry will grace the show.”
Karan Johar to sip 'Koffee' with cricket stars Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul?
6:56 AM
Harshada Rege (DNA; November 8, 2018)
The sixth season of Koffee With Karan (KWK) has had the who’s who of B-Town gracing it. This time, however, the show will get a sporty twist. For the first time in its five-season-long run, it will have the country’s two most promising cricketers — K L Rahul and Hardik Pandya — as guests. They are also among the most eligible bachelors in the sporting world at present. While the former is a top-order right-handed batsman and an occasional wicket-keeper, the latter is an all-rounder.
Says a source, “As teammates, they share a great camaraderie and are quite close to each other. And that surely will come across on the show. Hardik is candid, while Rahul is a tad more diplomatic.” As for their personal lives, Hardik is said to be dating Esha Gupta, while Rahul has been spotted hanging out with Nidhhi Agerwal. He, however, has maintained that she is just a friend. The source adds, “No topic is taboo on the couch, so it will be fun to see how the two players handle the googlies that Karan bowls.”
Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji to open Koffee With Karan Season 6?
9:54 AM
After Anushka-Virat back out, SRK, Kajol, Rani likely to open Karan Johar's chat show as part of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai's 20th anniversary celebration
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 7, 2018)
With small screen's most sensational chat show, Koffee With Karan, returning with its sixth season this year, there is increasing curiosity about who will feature in the opening episode. Although power couple Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli were rumoured to grace the couch, latest developments suggest that Karan Johar's favourite triumvirate - Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji - is in consideration.
If production sources are to be believed, Johar was gung-ho about getting Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli to spill the beans on their love story and the subsequent wedding, on the show. However, dates posed a problem, given the hectic schedule of the sports star.
We hear, Johar is hoping to take the show on floors in September and launch the new season in October. The source says, "The team is now considering bringing together the lead cast of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The film that released on October 16 in 1998 completes two decades this year. The timing is perfect. This plan is pending approval from all parties, but the idea is enticing for everyone, especially Karan."
It may be recalled that Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji had opened the show's second season in 2007. Another source close to the filmmaker says, "One may argue that the combination lacks novelty, but it scores on nostalgic value. The line-up is yet to be drawn. It's still in the brainstorming stage. A lot of names are being tossed around and it's too early to say." Johar hadn't responded to our text till the time of going to press.
Karan Johar's chat show Koffee With Karan to undergo a revision in season 6?
8:06 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 24, 2018)
After a lukewarm reception to the fifth season of Koffee With Karan — criticised for serving as a promotional platform for films instead of having celebrities engage in uninhibited banter — the team behind Karan Johar’s chat show is working on revising the content of season six.
Barring the engaging Rapid Fire, which demands bit-sized controversial answers from guests, the unit is working on eliminating all existing rounds from the upcoming series. We hear five new game ideas are currently being designed. One among them will be a truth-or-dare round. “We hope the segment encourages revelations that are interesting and controversial. That is what the show was originally celebrated for,” says a source from the unit.
The developments come after the crew reflected upon the misses in the last season. “We knew we encountered certain problems in season five, and brainstormed on a few new concepts. This time, the show will be spicier. Karan has decided to prevent pairing costars. The trend is convenient, and sometimes important. But he intends to avoid doing so this year.”
Johar tells us that the unit is working hard to chalk out appropriate schedules ahead of the release later this year. “The sixth season will be out this year for sure. Currently, we are working on the timeline. By the end of this month, we will decide when the telecast can take place,” he says.
The source adds that while they start rolling in September, and are immediately eyeing a November telecast, they may advance the airing if the artistes’ line-up is decided by the month end. For now, as has been previously reported, the makers hope newly-wed Anushka Sharma and hubby Virat Kohli can kickstart their show. “Karan is trying to get them on the couch. He is also eyeing Anand Ahuja [Sonam Kapoor’s rumoured beau], apart from looking at welcoming a big international star,” says the source, quick to add that the industry’s leading men, the three Khans — Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh — “will surely be part of it”. “ But, unlike in the last season, they will be encouraged to talk about their personal lives instead of their movies,” the source promises.
My babies have made me a far more responsible adult-Karan Johar
7:24 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 20, 2017)
What strikes you about Karan Johar, even more than his fashion choices, is his power of articulation. Yet, when you talk to him about fatherhood, the new daddy chooses his words carefully, as if almost certain that nothing he says can do justice to the joy that his twins bring him.
Johar says Yash and Roohi have anchored him, brought a sense of calm in his chaotic world. “They are only eight months old, but they have given me a strong sense of being. In their own way, they have made me a far more responsible adult. Until their birth, I was floating around without any kind of mission. But now, I have developed life goals,” he says.
After ruling the world of films for 20 years, Johar, at 45, is happy to be in a space where diaper duties take precedence over directorial ones. “Giving time to my mother [Hiroo Johar] and my babies are my paramount priorities. I never had a plan ahead for my life. Now I do — for myself, my home and everything. Along with my office, my heart too finally has a plan.”
Besides the new addition to his family, the year also saw the release of his autobiography, An Unsuitable Boy. From his sexuality to his strained relationship with former best friend Kajol, the filmmaker bared his heart out in the memoir. Ask him if he’ll consider writing a second book given the wide appreciation the first one received and he says, “It will be two decades later when I have many more things to say. I will probably be a lot braver and stronger at 65.”
A conversation with him can’t be complete without mentioning Koffee With Karan, especially after the last season almost left the industry divided on nepotism. Many feel that the show focusses purely on the younger crop of actors, as they generate TRPs with their controversial remarks. But Johar argues that several senior actors have graced the couch as well. “I was the first to bring Jaya ji [Bachchan] and Hema ji [Malini] with their respective daughters. Hema ji and Zeenat ji [ Aman] came together once, as did Javed [Akhtar] saab and Shabana ji [Azmi], Rishi ji and Neetu ji [Kapoor]. So I have had the true legends of Indian cinema on the show.”
He adds that the next season of the show is in the offing. “I plan to come back with the sixth season soon. It is loved not just in the country, but across the Indian diaspora.”
Shah Rukh Khan is hot favourite to open Koffee With Karan's new season
7:55 AM
DNA (September 18, 2016)
Karan Johar returning to host his popular chat show Koffee With Karan this year has created tremendous curiosity about who will be the first guest on the show. There is a toss up between Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Fawad Khan. Incidentally, all the three actors are part of Karan’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which is slated to release in Diwali. Even his show will go on air probably next month and the timing is just perfect. We decided to find out who the viewers want to see first on the show. In a poll conducted on www.dnaindia.com, Shah Rukh, who opened two seasons of the show, has emerged as the hot favourite for the inaugural episode. He has won with 44 per cent votes, while Ranbir and Fawad are tied at the second spot with 28 per cent votes.
Check out the actors who might not be in latest season of Koffee With Karan
8:21 AM
Harshada Rege (DNA; September 15, 2016)
Every season of Koffee With Karan creates much
excitement among the janta as well as in B-Town. Speculation about which
guests will come on the show begins months before the shoot. While the
host Karan Johar recently told fans of the show to look forward to the
announcement of the line-up of guests, most B-Towners will look forward
to getting an invite from the filmmaker-turned-chat show host. However,
there are a few names that are likely to be missing from the guest list.
Here’s who isn’t likely to partake in a fun session of gossip and
banter over some coffee this season.
Ajay Devgn
The current battle between Ajay’s Shivaay and Karan’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil has ensured that the two won’t share the same stage, and the chances of them gossiping over coffee is unthinkable. For those who came in late, it all began with their movies clashing at the box office on the same day. Things got ugly when Ajay released an audio of Kamaal R Khan claiming that KJo paid him money to badmouth Shivaay. Ajay sent out a statement asking authorities to check KRK’s claim and if KJo indeed paid him. Karan has maintained a ‘no comment’ stand on the matter. Now there’s no love lost between the two camps. And anyone betting on seeing Ajay on that couch again is gonna lose big.
Kajol
With the pow-pow between her hubby and once-upon-a-time BFF, KJo, it’s not likely that Kajol will appear on the show. It was at her insistence that Ajay agreed to be a part of Karan’s show in the last season. This year she has no reason to cajole him or to do so herself. She has previously been part of almost every season and has been one of KJo’s most entertaining guests.
Akshay Kumar
It was clear that the last time he was on the show, it was going to be a one-time appearance. Twinkle, who is one of Karan’s close buddies, convinced her husband to shoot for an episode aired in the fifth season. When Karan asked him why he hadn’t been on the show so far, Akshay, in all seriousness, replied, “When we come for your show, you ask all these kinds of very controversial questions. So nobody wants to be grilled and nobody wants to get into anybody’s bad books. And don’t want to answer anything stupid that it hurts somebody’s feelings.” He just wanted to check that list and he did it last year. AK ain’t returning.
Salman Khan
Like Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, too, made an exception and made an appearance in the fourth season of the show. It was the only time he did so. No doubt it was a hilarious episode, what with Salman claiming that he was still a virgin, but it doesn’t seem likely that the actor will find himself seated on KJo’s much-coveted couch anytime soon. Because he has two releases coming up and is hardly in the city.
Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik has made multiple appearances on Koffee With Karan. The actor first shared the couch with Farhan Akhtar. The next time around, his co-guest was Priyanka Chopra, and finally, it was his now ex-wife Sussanne. However, Karan and Hrithik’s relationship is now going through a troubled patch. Sources say that Karan did not support HR as much as the actor expected him to, during the latter’s Kangana Ranaut controversy. At an event, when KJo was asked about the Hrithik-Kangana tiff, he said “No comment” which upset Duggu who expected Karan to support him. He called him and gave him an earfull and now they are sulking with each other.
Rani Mukerji
Rani, another KWK regular, has kept away from the arclights after mommyhood. The actress isn’t likely to come out of her self-imposed hiatus for the show. Also, she feels she has nothing to talk about.
*** Will she, wont’s she? ***
Kareena Kapoor Khan
Bebo is likely to be heavily pregnant by the time shooting for the show commences. That would be the main reason for her to skip the season. However, the actress, who has been getting upset at the mention of her pregnancy keeping her from doing work, might just turn up on the show to prove others wrong.
Priyanka Chopra
Karan’s desi girl in Dostana, has been on every season of the show. But now PC has been spending a lot of time in the US shooting for the second season of Quantico and then the Baywatch movie. She shuttles a lot between Mumbai and Montreal, so unless KJo manages to convince her to collect some more air miles and make a quick dash to the Maximum City to be on his couch, there’s little chance of her being on the show.
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