The veteran Bollywood director, Karan Johar shared his thoughts regarding the controversy over cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul who appeared on his popular show ‘Koffee With Karan’ took the entire country by storm and put the duo’s careers in jeopardy. Both the cricketers were suspended and sent back home mid-way from the tour of Australia and it seemed uncertain when they would be back to do the job they specialize in.
However, on Thursday, Committee of Administrator (CoA) deiced to lift the suspension and allowing both cricketers to return to the 22 yards. It was particularly unfortunate for Pandya who was out from cricket for few months owing to injury and had just started to make a comeback in the run-up to the World Cup in May-July.
Johar said he had some sleepless nights after the issue got provoked and said it was pleasing for him to know that the duo was allowed to get back to the game. He also said that he had messaged them apologizing and the two were “gracious” telling him that it was not his fault. Pandya was accused of making sexist remarks on the show.
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Talking to India Today, Johar said, “I never thought they messed up. 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. He also said that he didn’t realize that things would take such a serious turn and hence didn’t think of editing any part of the show. There are so many women on the show, nobody realized it. But if we have offended people, we have to apologize.”
The veteran filmmaker also expressed that now the cricketers will refrain from coming to his show after the latest fiasco even though he would be ready to welcome them. He also revealed during the interview that he doesn’t follow cricket and enjoyed the fact that he was interviewing two representatives from that domain.
Johar said that the questions that he asked Rahul and Pandya, he the same to some of the actresses as well. He further added that if he gets a second chance to interview a cricketer and he would do his homework to ask them about their on-field moves.
