‘Koffee With Karan’ Season 9 Announced: A Look Back at Talk Show’s Most Controversial Moments
'Koffee With Karan' Season 9, the final season, premieres October 14, 2026, on JioHotstar. Explore the show's most controversial moments, including Alia Bhatt's infamous GK blunder, Emraan Hashmi's 'plastic' remark about Aishwarya Rai and more.
Filmmaker and host Karan Johar has officially announced that his immensely popular celebrity chat show, Koffee With Karan, will conclude its remarkable run with its upcoming ninth season. The final season is slated to begin streaming on JioHotstar from October 14, 2026. After 22 years, eight seasons, and 161 episodes, the show has become a cultural phenomenon, known for its candid conversations, rapid-fire rounds, and, most notably, its penchant for sparking controversies that have reverberated across the entertainment landscape. ‘Koffee With Karan 9’: Karan Johar Announces Final Season of His Iconic Talk Show, Premiering on JioHotstar on THIS Date.
Koffee With Karan's Most Controversial Moments
As Karan Johar prepares to serve the last cup of coffee, let's look back at some of the most scandalous and talked-about incidents that have unfolded on the infamous Koffee couch, proving that sometimes, a single statement can indeed be career-defining or meme-generating.
When Alia Bhatt Didn't Know the President of India
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One of the earliest and most enduring viral moments came from Alia Bhatt's debut appearance on the show. In 2013, during a rapid-fire quiz, when asked to name the President of India, a young Alia confidently answered "Prithviraj Chauhan" instead of the then-incumbent Dr Pranab Mukherjee. This blunder instantly became a massive meme and led to extensive online trolling, questioning her general knowledge. While Alia later took the joke in stride, even featuring in an AIB parody video, the incident remains one of the show's most iconic and humorous controversies.
Emraan Hashmi's 'Plastic' Remark on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
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Season 4, aired in 2014, saw Emraan Hashmi make headlines with a contentious comment about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. During the rapid-fire round, when asked to name an actor who came to his mind upon hearing the word 'plastic,' Hashmi promptly replied, "Aishwarya Rai".
This remark caused a significant uproar, especially given Aishwarya's status as a global icon and Miss World. Hashmi later clarified and apologised, stating that it was all in jest and part of the show's competitive format to win the hamper, though he admitted to bearing the brunt of the comment for a long time.
Deepika Padukone Digs at Ranbir Kapoor
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During the iconic Season 3 episode in November 2010, Deepika Padukone appeared alongside Sonam Kapoor shortly after her high-profile breakup with Ranbir Kapoor. When Karan Johar asked her during the rapid-fire round which brand she thought Ranbir should endorse, Deepika famously answered that he should endorse "a condom brand" while adding that he needed to work on his boyfriend skills. The candid remark instantly went viral, sparking major public controversy and drawing a sharp, protective backlash from Ranbir's father, the late veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, who openly criticized both actresses for their immaturity.
Kangana Ranaut's Nepotism Remark
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The 'nepotism' debate exploded into the national consciousness following Kangana Ranaut's fiery appearance in February 2017 during Season 5. When Karan Johar asked her to name the "flag-bearer of nepotism" in Bollywood, Kangana, without hesitation, pointed to him, also labelling him the "movie mafia" and a "stereotypical villain" in the struggle of outsiders. This moment sparked a widespread debate about industry privilege and insider-outsider dynamics that continues to resonate today, with Johar himself admitting he still lives with the term "nepo".
Ranveer Singh’s Off-Line Comments to Anushka Sharma
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During their joint appearance in Season 3 (2011), fresh off the success of Band Baaja Baaraat, Ranveer Singh made an inappropriately provocative remark to Anushka Sharma. Mid-conversation, he turned to her and quipped, "If you want to get your ass pinched, I'm right here".
A visibly stunned Anushka immediately called him out on set, warning, "Don't talk to me like that," before playfully swatting him. While Karan Johar laughed it off at the time, the footage resurfaced repeatedly over the years as one of the show's most uncomfortable and widely criticised interactions.
Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra’s Accent Feud
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One of the most famous actor rivalries on the Koffee couch took place during Season 3. When asked what she would like to ask Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor Khan slyly took aim at Priyanka’s international inflection, wondering aloud, "Where does she get that accent from?"
In a later episode that same season, Priyanka returned the serve with one of the most iconic comebacks in the show's history. When Karan brought up Kareena's remark, Priyanka instantly retorted, "I think it comes from the same place her boyfriend (Saif Ali Khan) gets it from", referencing Saif’s schooling at Harrow and Winchester College in the UK. The exchange became a classic pop-culture feud until the two stars famously sat together on the couch in Season 6 to bury the hatchet.
KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya's Episode
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One of the most impactful controversies stemmed from the Season 6 episode in January 2019, featuring cricketers KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya. Pandya made a series of remarks perceived as misogynistic and crude, boasting about his dating life, hookups, and openly discussing his family's casual approach to his sexual encounters. Rahul, while less vocal, was seen laughing along.
The comments triggered a massive backlash, leading to their temporary suspension from the Indian cricket team by the BCCI, with the episode eventually being removed from Hotstar. Rahul later stated the interview "scarred him massively". Who Was RN Kao? Know About India’s First RAW Chief As Karan Johar Prepares for Biopic.
As Koffee With Karan prepares for its grand finale season, these unforgettable moments serve as a reminder of its unique place in Indian pop culture – a show that blended glamour, gossip, and genuine conversation, often pushing boundaries and sometimes creating enduring controversies.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 05:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
