Yes, you heard that right. For the first time since he began what is undoubtedly India’s most popular TV chat show in 2004, the irrepressible Karan Johar looks like he will end Season 6 of Koffee with Karan without either Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan making an appearance. Aamir Khan, the third Bollywood Khan, appeared solo just before his Diwali release Thugs of Hindostan.
This news is bound to surprise fans of SRK and Salman who have been waiting anxiously for KJo’s announcement on social media about when he is presenting either of the Khans on his celebrity couch. Many secretly hoped that in a casting coup of sorts, KJo would manage to get both SRK and Salman together for the finale of Season 6. But that’s not happening.
The finale of the 2018-2019 season of Koffee with Karan, as things stand, will feature Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor Khan. It is believed that the suave TV impresario had wanted to end Season 6 of his rollicking chat show with Shah Rukh and Ranbir Kapoor. But SRK was busy working on Zero and Ranbir is said to be out of sorts because of his father Rishi Kapoor’s ill-health.
[caption id="attachment_183144" align="aligncenter" width="609"] Priyanka Chopra, Karan Johar and Kareena Kapoor Khan shot for 'KWK' finale[/caption]
KJo began Koffee with Karan with Shah Rukh and Kajol in the inaugural episode of Season 1 on November 19, 2004. SRK appeared again that season with Gauri Khan and Hrithik and Sussanne (Khan) Roshan. And then, he and Kajol came on the finale as well with Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Farhan Akhtar and Farah Khan. Salman did not make an entry on the show the first season much to Bollywood’s surprise.
[caption id="attachment_184799" align="aligncenter" width="569"] SRK and Kajol in inaugural episode of KWK Season 1 in 2004[/caption]
Season 2 of Koffee with Karan, which played out in 2007, again opened with SRK and Kajol on February 11. They were joined by Rani Mukerji. SRK came again that year with Farah Khan and the debutante Deepika Padukone on September 9, to promote their film Om Shanti Om. Once again, there was no Salman in Season 2. And in Season 3, between 2010-11, SRK appeared alone on January 2, 2011.
[caption id="attachment_184804" align="aligncenter" width="529"] Salman Khan with father Salim Khan in 2014 for KWK[/caption]
But Salman opened Season 4 (2013-14) by appearing with his father Salim Khan in a hilarious episode on December 1, 2013 that is still talked about in the studio. The Bhai then got his younger bhais Arbaaz and Sohail to share the couch with him on December 11, 2016 for Season 5 (2016-17) in an episode that went down big with Koffee with Karanaudiences. That season was again by SRK for KJo. Joining the Bollywood superstar on November 6, 2016 was his Dear Zindagi actress, Alia Bhatt.