'Saying goodbye is emotional': Karan Johar to end 'Koffee With Karan' after 22 years
After more than two decades of celebrity confessions, rapid-fire rounds and controversies, Karan Johar is bringing his popular chat show "Koffee With Karan" to an end with its upcoming ninth season.
Johar announced on Wednesday that the final season will premiere on JioHotstar on October 14, marking the end of a show he has hosted since its debut in 2004.
Over eight seasons and 161 episodes, "Koffee With Karan" featured some of the biggest names from Hindi cinema and became known for its candid conversations, celebrity revelations and rapid-fire segments that frequently made headlines.
"There are some journeys you don't plan to end, you simply know, somewhere deep within you, when it is time to let them go. 'Koffee With Karan' has been an extraordinary part of my life. It has given me friendships, memories, moments of complete madness, a lot of love and, yes, its fair share of controversy!" Johar said in a statement.
He credited the show's audience for keeping it going through its long run.
"They have laughed with us, debated us, trolled us, celebrated us and, most importantly, kept coming back for another cup," he said.
"Saying goodbye is emotional, but it also feels right. This final season is my way of raising the mug one last time with gratitude, with love and with everyone who has made 'Koffee With Karan' what it is. So, come have one last cup of Koffee with me. One last time," he added.
The show premiered on Star World in 2004 and quickly became a fixture of Hindi entertainment, with its informal celebrity conversations often spilling over into the wider pop culture conversation.
"Koffee With Karan" later moved from television to streaming in 2022, continuing its run in a new format.
Alok Jain, Head - Hindi & English Entertainment Business (Streaming, TV & Studios), JioStar, said the programme had developed a rare level of audience loyalty over the years.
"For over two decades, it has given audiences an intimate, irreverent and often unexpected glimpse into the lives of the people they love watching, becoming a part of pop culture phenomenon," Jain said.
As the show enters its final season, Jain said its legacy would be reflected in the connection it built with viewers.
"As Karan raises the coffee mug one last time, we celebrate the extraordinary legacy of a show that has consistently delivered great content and created a lasting connection with audiences. At JioHotstar, we remain committed to bringing audiences the very best in entertainment, and we are delighted to bring this final chapter of Koffee With Karan to them," he added.
