KJO: I'll take unedited version of KWK to my grave

'I'll take the unedited version of Koffee with Karan to my grave'

Karan Johar on brewing coffee and controversy

How would you rate the third season of Koffee with Karan?

I'd say it's been the biggest season in terms of eyeballs and controversies. The show gave a lot of fodder to tabloids and the internet. The Ranbir-Imran and Deepika-Sonam episodes especially generated a lot of hype. This year, the "koffee" had a new zing, and by now, guests know the vibe of the show, so they come prepared.

This year, the girls called the shots — be it the Priyanka-Kareena catty comments or the Deepika-Sonam attack on Ranbir.

Yes, I think the girls were a bit more candid while the men chose to play it safe. This is ironic since it is believed that the industry is driven by men. I do agree that the Deepika-Sonam episode got huge hype and the media got a lot to chew on with the back-and-forth between Priyanka and Kareena, but other ladies like Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Zoya Akhtar also sparkled.

We tried a few new things. We tried new combinations like Sonakshi-Madhuri which was very fresh. Also, this year, we ventured into family combinations like Amitabh Bachchan and his daughter Shweta which was refreshing, as she gave a peek into Amit uncle's personality. That bit that everyone in their house ticks their name after reading a newspaper to let the others know that they have read it was quite fascinating. Sibling combinations like Farhan-Zoya and Ekta-Tusshar also rocked. It's endearing to know about their childhood fights.

I must also mention some of the solo episodes that we did, especially the one with Ajay Devgn, which was one of our highest-rated episodes. We also got to see a mellow and emotional avatar of SRK. He's been on the show before but usually he's irreverent and funny. This year, it was a younger Koffee, most of the guests were young and pulsated with their forthrightness. Shahid and Priyanka had palpable chemistry on the couch though they kept the we-are-dating-we-are-not-dating thing going. Ranveer-Anushka had zingy mad chemistry.

Did you anticipate that the Deepika-Sonam episode would cause Ranbir's father, Rishi Kapoor, to get into the tangle, and speak against you? How do you look back at it?

It's all water under the bridge now. Chintu uncle (Rishi Kapoor) is my favourite actor. Hopefully, things are sorted now. I wasn't provoking the girls to speak all that they did. It was meant to be harmless fun but if anybody got hurt, I apologise. I've been raised to respect my seniors. I didn't know the episode would have such repercussions but I do know that parents, just like mine, are emotional and react to the moment.

Take us through the process. How do you prepare your guests? Do you talk them through, tell them what you are going to ask? How do you put it together?

I do no research. I don't tell them anything. I know most of my guests quite well. I'm aware of all that is happening in their lives. I read the tabloids. The Rapid Fire section is perhaps the only thing we spend time preparing. Usually, I reach the set, put on my make-up, do my hair, get into my black suit and start yakking. I think it's my personality. I can talk and make people talk. I'm a good listener and that is what really motivates me. I listen to my guests and take the conversation from thereon. There is never an agenda to put them down or to ridicule them. It's always to know them better. I think this is where journalism today is going wrong. People have too many agendas.

So your guests just happen to pour their hearts out to you? You must be telling them something to make them feel at ease.

See, every guest comes with a tone. As a host, it's up to me to pick it up, juice it up and let them talk. They do keep teasing me that we'll come but are you going to kill us, to which I always say that come, have fun, be yourself and forget that the cameras are rolling. The idea is to have a good time.

Since most of these stars are your friends, you are privy to what's happening in their lives. How do you walk that thin line between being a friend and being a TV host? Like, for instance, in the John Abraham episode, you didn't really get into his relationship with Bipasha Basu.

I never prod and push. I'd never reveal anything on national television about a friend just to get TRPs. These are my friends and I know their secrets. I only bring out what all the tabloids are reporting. I ask about all that is conjecture, which is already news to the world. If there is something they don't want to talk about, something they have shared with me in confidence, I'll never talk about it. With John, I asked him that there are stories that he has allegedly broken up, it was up to him to say what he wanted. I don't go into deeply personal spaces.

Have there been instances where you have had to edit out some stuff, like, for instance, when you asked Priyanka what she would steal from Kareena's computer, she retorted, "Does Kareena even have a computer?" That bit you edited out. Why?

Well, yes, we do need to edit out some stuff which might become too hot to handle. Let me just say that I'll take the unedited version of Koffee with Karan to my grave. Regarding the Priyanka-Kareena computer comment, yes, we did take it out. It would have caused unnecessary problems for Bebo since she endorses a computer brand and I know that she uses a computer.

In many ways, stars talk to each other through the show. Does it create awkwardness for you? For instance, has an actress ever cried to you at a party about what another actress said about her?

Nobody has been offended to that degree.

I haven't been confronted by anyone. If people do get upset, it's only for a week and then life moves on. By now, everyone knows the vibe of the show.

Did any guest stump you this season?

Let's be clear, nobody can stump me. I'm wicked. Only in the Ranveer-Anushka episode they were doing and saying such mad things that I said, hello, it's my show. But that was it.

Who would you say was your wittiest guest?

Sonam and Deepika together made our best episode. I was quite impressed with Ajay Devgn's straight-faced humour also.

Any regrets? Is there any guest you couldn't get on the show?

I really wanted Aamir and Salman to come on the show but I guess, something should be left for Season 4.

Where does Koffee with Karan fit in your scheme of things? You are primarily a filmmaker, where does the show figure?

You know, I had forgotten how much I enjoyed hosting the show. It's my entertainment in life. Making movies drives me but Koffee with Karan relaxes me.

You want to clarify your shaadi rumours? Who is Vandana Melwani?

She's as big a joke as some of the films that released this year!

RAPID FIRE WITH KJO

Ok, now let's play Rapid Fire with you. Ready?

Bring it on.

Ranbir or Imran, who has the brighter future?

What is this? You can't ask me this. This is what I ask people on my show.

Exactly. You make others spill and get into trouble, now it's your turn.

I'm paid to ask those questions, you pay me, I'll answer it.

Come on, be classy.

Both Ranbir and Imran are Dharma Production boys. Since they are with me, I have the brightest future.

Aishwarya, Priyanka, Kareena, Katrina, Deepika, Sonam — rank in order of talent.

No.

That's not an answer.

How can you rank talent?

Come on, will you allow your guest to get away with this answer?

I'm happy to receive this answer, but till date, nobody has said this. They happily start ranking.

Ok, let's turns towards the men now. Aamir, Salman, Shah Rukh, Saif, Akshay, Hrithik — rank in order of talent.

Shah Rukh Khan is the actor of all seasons for me.

Aditya Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, Farah Khan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Farhan Akhtar, Karan Johar, Imtiaz Ali — rank in order of talent.

It's a tie between Raju Hirani and Adi. Then, it's Imtiaz, Farah, Farhan, Sanjay and then Karan Johar.

Soham Shah or Nikhil Advani — the bigger hurt?

Soham.

but that deepz-sona grabbed a lot of negative attention and Rishi bashing all three sonam-deepika and Karan johar was not needed. I love Rishi though but he overreacted. Not mad at him though since he said in he's interview that it was he's wife and daughter that told him