Oct 14, 2026 9:36pm IST
‘Koffee With Karan’ Season 9 Premiere with Salman Khan: Karan Johar’s Show Trades Naughtiness for Nostalgia as the Farewell Tour Begins
Karan Johar opened the premiere of “Koffee With Karan”’s final season with a sharp dose of self-awareness, noting that after 22 years and 162 episodes, he’s spent most of the last two decades “asking people about their sex lives and now people ask me about ours.” Later in the episode, Johar candidly admits to cringing at his past interrogations—most notably, his infamous question to Salman Khan about whether he was good in bed. Khan, in turn, reflects that while he shares similar regrets about past actions and words, they are simply part of growing up, and it’s important to accept that and not feel regret.
Does this reflective tone of the premiere episode set the tone for the entire final season, or is this just the Salman Khan effect? The show’s signature naughtiness has officially been traded for nostalgia. A truly great talk show thrives on honest, engaging, and enlightening conversation—elements this episode delivers in spades. Yet, if you ask me whether I miss the sharp barbs, wild gossip, and belly laughs of previous seasons, the answer is undoubtedly yes. But as the Khan reminds us: that was then, this is now, and everyone eventually evolves.
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The conversation is mostly a flashback of the timeline of their association. Host Karan Johar and guest Salman Khan dive into a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about Johar’s directorial debut, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” and how Salman graciously joined the cast. Dishing on the deep-rooted bonds shared between their families, the episode radiates a warmth so wholesome that, if it were a movie, it would have been directed by Sooraj Barjatya. The conversation hits its peak entertainment value when Salman casually reveals a “ghost” in his house—an entity he never actually saw but constantly felt. The part about how Sanjay Leela Bhansali came to ‘check out’ Karan’s debut film set was hilarious.
The episode builds on warmth with soundbites from Salman’s close industry peers—including Bobby Deol, Varun Dhawan and Sanjay Dutt—all singing praises of the superstar’s legendary generosity. However, the real fun was the archival clips from previous seasons showing other stars talking about Salman—a choice that, unfortunately, serves as a poignant reminder of just how chaotic and unhinged the show used to be.
The nostalgia hits top gear when Karisma Kapoor joins the duo for a special segment, sparking a delightful 90s reunion. The trio fondly reminisce about the grit and glamour of that era—from shooting grueling double shifts to the complete lack of vanity vans and formal location scouting. They passionately argue that 90s music and films held more magic, concluding with a sharp observation: stars of Khan’s generation continue to champion cinema for family audiences, a vital connection where today’s younger actors often fall short.
Karan Johar remains a host par excellence: articulate and witty, displaying his trademark humor. He doesn’t drive the episode, instead letting Khan lead with his energy, while he simply accepts the pace. Yet, even his boundless energy feels visibly subdued by the final segment, as he casually flops onto the couch next to his guest. Johar shines brightest during the iconic Rapid Fire round. He arguably deserved the legendary hamper himself, though Karisma Kapoor ultimately declared Salman Khan the winner, handing over the prize to the superstar.
‘Koffee With Karan’ Season 9 is streaming on JioHotstar.
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