What Pandya-Rahul Said When Karan Johar Messaged Them to Apologise

Karan Johar messaged KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya to apologise for his role in their suspensions.

Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul with Koffee With Karan host Karan Johar.

(Photo courtesy: Instagram)

Almost three weeks after a Koffee With Karan episode featuring Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul went on air, Karan Johar is finally being questioned about his role in creating a controversy that led to the two cricketers missing out on international cricket following suspensions.

Johar told India Today that he had apologised to both players for his part in the controversy. Earlier, the filmmaker had said in an interview that he had sleepless nights after the show.

“I messaged them apologising, and the two of them were gracious to me and they were like ‘this is not your fault’. I never thought they messed up.”

Karan Johar, as told to <i>India Today</i>

The filmmaker added that when the episode was shot, he “didn’t think they’d get in trouble” as the comments made by the two players seemed to him like “they were conforming to the prerequisites of the show.”

“The episode was as per the frivolous nature of the show. I thought they were conforming to the prerequisites of the show. I didn’t think they’d get in trouble. I am feeling guilty, it was my platform, my show and they came as guests.”

Karan Johar, as told to <i>India Today</i>

While Johar cannot share the blame for the comments made by both the players, critics have raised concerns about the filmmaker’s questions, which people say, were also sexist in nature. Moreover, fans have questioned why the show’s producers failed to edit the controversial statements.

After the controversy erupted, Hotstar deleted the entire episode and issued a statement, saying, "Certain remarks/comments made by the guests on the episode 12 of Koffee with Karan may hurt the sentiments of our users/viewers.”

“People said you could have edited it, I didn’t realise it. There are so many women on the show, nobody realised it. But if we have offended people, we have to apologise.”

Karan Johar, as told to <i>India Today</i>

While Johar is currently is attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Pandya is finally being allowed to return to the cricket field three weeks after the show went on air. The players’ suspensions have been temporarily lifted till the BCCI’s Supreme Court hearing date comes up next week.

(With inputs from India Today)