Karan Johar has confirmed that Koffee With Karan will come to an end after its upcoming ninth season, bringing one of Bollywood’s longest-running celebrity chat shows to a close after 22 years.
The final season of the popular programme is scheduled to begin streaming on JioHotstar from October 14. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan are among the celebrities currently filming for the new season, according to Filmfare.
Johar, who has hosted the show since its launch, confirmed that the ninth season will be his final outing on the programme. The filmmaker and television personality said he now wants to dedicate more time to directing films and developing new stories.
Since its debut in 2004, Koffee With Karan has become a major part of Bollywood’s entertainment landscape. The programme has brought together leading actors, filmmakers, athletes and other prominent personalities for informal conversations about their careers and personal lives.
Across its first eight seasons, the show completed 161 episodes. Its format, built around celebrity conversations, rapid-fire questions and personal revelations, regularly generated headlines and social media discussions.
The programme began its journey with Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol as its first guests. The opening season also featured several major Bollywood personalities, including Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Over the years, Kareena Kapoor and Kajol became some of the show’s most recognisable recurring guests. Numerous other Bollywood stars appeared throughout the series, helping establish its reputation as a platform for candid celebrity conversations.
Johar recently reflected on the show’s long association with his career in an interview with Variety. He described Koffee With Karan as an important part of his professional identity while explaining that he now wants to explore other creative opportunities.
The filmmaker said he intends to spend the next decade focusing more heavily on directing movies and telling new stories. He also acknowledged the emotional significance of bringing the programme to an end after such a long run.
The chat show’s history has not been without controversy. One of its most widely discussed incidents came in 2019, when an episode featuring Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul was removed from the Hotstar platform following criticism over comments made during the programme.
The controversy resulted in both players being suspended from India’s national cricket team for a period.
Koffee With Karan also appeared to face cancellation in 2022 when Johar announced that the programme would not be returning. The show later continued in a different format after moving from television to streaming.
The upcoming season will therefore mark a definitive ending for the programme under Johar’s hosting. With its long history of celebrity appearances, viral conversations and headline-making moments, the ninth season is expected to represent the final chapter of the franchise’s original era.
Johar has described the decision as a personal and emotional one, while expressing hope that the legacy created by the show will continue beyond its final season.
The ninth season will stream on JioHotstar from October 14, giving viewers one final opportunity to watch Johar host the celebrity conversations that have defined Koffee With Karan for more than two decades.
