Abhi-Ash in the first episode of KWK 3-Pics

Aishwarya & Abhishek Bachchan on the sets of Koffee with Karan

Fri, 2010-10-29 08:25 — Dessigaal

Share this on

CARE FOR A CUPPA?

Back with season three of Koffee with Karan, filmmaker Karan Johar tells t2 about the all-new show, his celebrity guests and how not having best friend Shah Rukh Khan in the opening episode makes him "UNHAPPY"...

Why a four-year-gap between seasons two and three?

It would be me who is purely responsible for taking so long to come back. Primarily because I got very busy, first with My Name Is Khan and then with a whole lot of other projects that Dharma Productions (Karan's production company) had put its money in. Dharma was not involved in multiple productions when I did the first two seasons, but over the last three years I have been moving from one project to another without a break long enough to start another season. Also, Dharma and filmmaking will always be a priority for me. Koffee with Karan is a hobby; it's something that I turn to when I feel relaxed and want to have some fun with friends from the film industry.

What can we expect from this season of Koffee with Karan?

There is nothing that is going to be drastically different, to be honest. When we started brainstorming for this season, a lot of ideas flew about: 'Should we change the format a little?'; 'Should we include a live audience?'; 'Should we make the celebrity get up from the couch and go and meet fans on the streets?' But eventually, everyone in the production team came to the conclusion that Koffee with Karan works because it is so easy and conversational in its style and format. It is a small fraternity and I have realised that the audience warms up to Koffee with Karan because it gives you an inroad into the celeb's heart and head. It could be because I have grown up with most of them and some of them have seen me growing up in front of their eyes, but my proximity to all my guests makes them drop their so-called celebrity garb. There they are smiling and giggling on the couch, baring their heart and soul and talking about the smallest bits of their life.

Also, since we are coming back after a gap of four years, there are going to be a whole lot of new faces on the couch and hopefully, newer conversation points, new enemies, new friends and new controversies! The rapid fire round, the lie--meter, the coffee hamper, the public poll, everything remains the same. And I too remain the same, hopefully.

The sets seemed to have changed quite a bit'

The set this season is in red and black. It's been designed more like a boudoir and I quite like that because I think the setting is quite perfect for my guests to get into tell-all mode (laughs). But on a serious note, I think the set this time around is very homely and comfy, where my guests can just put their feet up and have a heart-to-heart. Shashank (Tere) has done the sets this time while Sharmishta Roy had done them up in the first two seasons. I think he has done a fantastic job. Also, the colour of the coffee cup changes with every season. So if we were a cool blue in season one, then we made everyone green with envy in season two. This season, we are red and hoping to be spicier!

From the entire Bachchan family in a single episode to Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor in another, a lot of names are flying around even before the show has started'

I have been reading and hearing that I have apparently managed a coup of sorts by getting so-called enemies Deepika-Sonam and Imran (Khan)-Ranbir (Kapoor) together on the couch. Let me tell you that this is all hogwash. All these boys and girls are friendly with each other and get along very well. Come on, Imran and Ranbir are actually very good friends! There are no enemies in this industry. You may not agree with someone's point of view, but that doesn't make him your enemy. Whether it is Deepika and Sonam or Ranbir and Imran, they all come from good families and are extremely civil and polite whenever they meet. You will realise that when you see the show.

On what basis do you choose the guest combinations for an episode?

Getting one celebrity on the couch is tough; getting two is nerve-wracking. When we sit down to decide the list, our aspirations hit the roof, but when it comes to getting them on, not everything is so easy. Our first choices are invariably always travelling or shooting and it gets tough pinning them down. But yes, we do look for people who will be easy to converse with and a combination that is a little opposite in terms of temperament and style so that we can have an interesting episode.

Shah Rukh Khan had opened both the previous seasons, but this time the opening episode has Abhishek and Aishwarya...

But Shah Rukh is not here, na! He is in Berlin shooting for Don 2. Not only as a TV show host, Shah Rukh started me out as a filmmaker and as a fashion designer and it's unfortunate that he isn't around to start off season three of Koffee with Karan. I was hoping that he could at least fly down for a day and introduce this season, but STAR World was adamant about starting on November 7 and eventually Shah Rukh couldn't adjust his dates. It makes me unhappy, because Shah Rukh has always been my lucky mascot, but I guess it can't be helped. But having said that, Ash and Abhishek have been super in the opening episode. After marriage, this has been their most candid interview yet.

Have you ever thought about getting non-Bollywood celebrities as guests?

I would love to, but Koffee with Karan is watched globally and Bollywood has ready recognition and instant connect everywhere. We may look at having a non-Bolly personality every now and then, but to reach out to a global audience, it's important to stick to Bollywood.

What for you are the five essentials of a good television show host?

First, listen and not just speak. Second, it's important to make your guests comfortable right from the beginning. Ask the easy questions first and then weave in the controversial ones and chances are that they will get answered (laughs). Third, make sure that your guests look good. They can talk nonsense on the show, but as long as they look like a million bucks, it's half the battle won! Fourth, ask proper and balanced questions. Finally, never cross the line. I have never tried to make my guests uncomfortable in any way. Even dicey questions can be asked in a fun way. All the people on my show are my friends and I will never ever say or ask anything to offend them.

Who is your favourite Bolly star as a television host?

There are so many of them, aren't there? Let me think. I guess it would have to be Simi aunty (Garewal) because I think she set the ball rolling as far as the talk show format on Indian television is concerned. Rendezvous with Simi Garewal has been an iconic show and Simi aunty a pioneer talk show host. In many ways, Koffee with Karan is a derivative of Rendezvous....

KARAN ON THE COUCH

A star you would like to have on the couch with you if you were being interviewed?

For easy and free-flowing conversation, it would have to be Shah Rukh. For a non-Bolly person, I would choose Shobhaa De. She has spice, bite and edge and it would be fun to see her taking on tough questions for a change!

One person you would be intimidated about interviewing?

Anyone from a field that I am not familiar with. A cricketer for example because I am one of the very few Indians who is not clued into cricket. Yes, despite Shah Rukh owning a cricket team! (laughs)

Karan Johar as TV host or filmmaker?

That's an easy one. Karan the filmmaker, any day, any time.

The best you have interviewed on Koffee with Karan?

It would have to be the Kapoor brothers (Randhir, Rishi and Rajeev). They kept me in splits throughout the episode. They were doing all the talking; I had to do nothing!

Any embarrassing moments so far this season?

Oh, they have all been edited out. That's something in my control and I will make sure the world doesn't ever get to see them!

PRIYANKA ROY
(WHICH NON-BOLLY CELEB DO YOU WANT TO SEE ON KOFFEE WITH KARAN? TELL T2@ABPMAIL.COM)
KOFFEE WITH KARAN PREMIERES ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, AT 9PM ON STAR WORLD

https://www.telegraphindia.com/1101029/jsp/entertainment/story_13112121.jsp

what happened between Sonam & Deepika when did they become "enemies" 😕

now am not the biggest fan of abhi-ash but i cant wait for the season to start.its always been my fav show ever since it started no matter who the guests are.

does any one know if this will air on star world or star plus?

Originally posted by: deepakrulz

does any one know if this will air on star world or star plus?

It will air on both channels 7th Nov at 20:00😃

hmm... lets see i will be waiting for salman and pz's episodes

Originally posted by: bones88

It will air on both channels 7th Nov at 20:00😃

alritey .thanks. soo exciteddd. but i hope karan does not act wierd like he has previously such as on lift kara de with john when john cme close to him to see how his shirt had a belt on it and karan was acting like he was straight and he didnt like john coming close adhe said this is not dostana or something or how in one interview with ranbir and konkona he he asked ranbir what age he lost his vrginity. i mean those are just wierd things to do and ask. and practically the whole world knows karan is gay and i dont think anyone cares or will treat him differnetly

Aishwarya!!

oh wen is the Abhi ash epi airing ?i need to give that a miss🥱

Can't wait to see the first episode, love Abhi-Ash!