For more than two decades, a black coffee mug, a celebrity couch and Karan Johar’s rapid-fire questions have been part of Bollywood pop culture. Since its debut in 2004, Koffee With Karan has brought together actors, filmmakers, cricketers and other public figures for conversations that often went beyond film promotions.
The show has completed eight seasons and 161 episodes. Now, after 22 years, its run is coming to an end. Karan Johar has confirmed that Season 9 will be the final season of Koffee With Karan. It will premiere on JioHotstar on 14 October 2026.
Before the final cup of coffee, here are five of the show's most discussed controversial moments.
ALSO READ: Koffee With Karan Season 9: When Is It Coming Back And Who Could Be On The Couch?
1. Kangana Ranaut’s Nepotism Call-Out
One of the biggest conversations to emerge from the show came in Season 5.
Kangana Ranaut appeared with Saif Ali Khan in Episode 16 and directly confronted Karan Johar over the treatment of outsiders in Bollywood.
During the conversation, she described Johar as the “flagbearer of nepotism” and referred to him as “movie mafia”. She also imagined him playing a Bollywood figure who looks down on outsiders if her life were ever made into a film.
The exchange became a major talking point around the show and later fed into the wider Bollywood debate around nepotism. Johar subsequently addressed the accusation publicly, including at an awards show later that year.
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2. Deepika Padukone’s Ranbir Kapoor Remark
Season 3 produced another moment that remained part of Koffee With Karan conversations for years.
Deepika Padukone appeared with Sonam Kapoor in 2010. During the episode, Johar asked what product Ranbir Kapoor should endorse.
Padukone responded with a joke about him endorsing a condom brand.
The remark became a major talking point because Padukone and Kapoor had previously been in a relationship. According to reports cited by Hindustan Times and NDTV, Ranbir's parents Neetu Kapoor and the late Rishi Kapoor were unhappy with the comments. Padukone later described the remark as a joke.
3. Hardik Pandya And KL Rahul’s Koffee Appearance
A Koffee With Karan episode involving cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul had consequences beyond entertainment coverage.
In Season 6, the two players made comments about women and relationships that drew widespread criticism. The episode was subsequently removed from the streaming platform.
The controversy also moved into cricket administration. In January 2019, the BCCI suspended both players with immediate effect while misconduct proceedings were initiated. The suspensions were later lifted pending adjudication, and both players apologised. BCCI records also show that the Ombudsman later dealt with the matter.
The episode remains one of the clearest examples of a Koffee With Karan conversation spilling into another industry.
4. Emraan Hashmi’s One-Word Answer About Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Season 4 had its own memorable rapid-fire moment.
Emraan Hashmi appeared on the show with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. During the rapid-fire round, Johar asked Hashmi what came to mind when he heard Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s name.
His one-word answer was “plastic”.
The comment drew criticism from Rai Bachchan’s fans and became one of the show's frequently revisited controversial moments. Hashmi later addressed the remark and apologised, saying it had been made in the heat of the moment.
5. Ranveer Singh’s Comment To Anushka Sharma
Season 3 also featured an exchange between Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma that resurfaced years later.
While the two were promoting Band Baaja Baaraat, Singh made a sexually suggestive remark towards Sharma during the conversation. Sharma immediately objected and told him not to speak to her that way.
The clip attracted renewed criticism when it resurfaced online in 2019, nearly a decade after the original episode aired.
And Now, One Last Koffee
Koffee With Karan began in 2004, when celebrity interviews were still largely confined to television and social media had yet to become the instant reaction machine it is today.
Over eight seasons and 161 episodes, the show became known for its rapid-fire rounds, celebrity revelations, relationships, rivalries and conversations that often continued long after an episode ended.
Now, the format is preparing for its final run.
Karan Johar announced on 30 September 2026 that Season 9 would be the last season of Koffee With Karan. The filmmaker said he had reached a point where he felt it was time to let the show go.
Season 9 will stream on JioHotstar from 14 October 2026.
After 22 years, the couch, the coffee and the rapid-fire questions are getting one final season.
TL;DR | News At a Glance
What is happening with Koffee With Karan?
Karan Johar has confirmed that Koffee With Karan Season 9 will be the show's last season.
When did Koffee With Karan begin?
The show premiered in 2004 and has completed eight seasons and 161 episodes.
What are some of Koffee With Karan’s most talked-about controversial moments?
They include Deepika Padukone’s condom-brand remark about Ranbir Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut’s nepotism call-out, Emraan Hashmi’s comment about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Ranveer Singh’s exchange with Anushka Sharma.
What did Deepika Padukone say about Ranbir Kapoor?
During a rapid-fire round with Sonam Kapoor, Deepika joked that Ranbir should endorse a condom brand.
What did Kangana Ranaut say to Karan Johar?
During Season 5, Kangana called Karan Johar the “flagbearer of nepotism” while discussing opportunities for outsiders in Bollywood.
When will Koffee With Karan Season 9 release?
Season 9 is scheduled to stream on JioHotstar from 14 October 2026.
