For the past 8 seasons, filmmaker Karan Johar has served up the hottest Bollywood gossip with a hot coffee mug on Koffee with Karan. Over the years, the ‘couch’ has witnessed wild confessions and controversies; things came to light no one could have anticipated, and guests made major revelations—moments that dominated headlines and became the talk of the town.
Now, Karan is back once more—for the very last time—to revisit those memories with Season 9: ‘One Last Time.’ The season got off to a fantastic start, featuring Salman Khan as the guest in the premiere episode. But did this premiere live up to the expectations we’ve come to associate with Koffee with Karan? Let’s find out.
To put it briefly, Koffee with Karan Season 9 did not live up to expectations. The show’s signature addictive charm was missing, replaced by a dated, overly familiar formula that no longer delivers a “kick.”
The initial promos featuring the “Bhai” of Bollywood, Salman Khan, built massive anticipation—that he would bring something hard-hitting or truly impactful. However, the actual episode ended while viewers were still waiting for that moment. While certain aspects and segments did capture the show’s signature, iconic charm, the episode as a whole—despite a few excellent moments—failed to deliver the expected impact.
The set-up was excellent, as usual. Karan ensured the final season also had a distinctly luxurious, moody aesthetic—from the spacious room to the comfortable sofa and coffee mug, everything reflected his classy touch.
The show began on a cheerful note, with Karan thanking Salman for appearing; meanwhile, Salman jokingly asked if Karan had invited everyone by claiming this was the final season. But the filmmaker swore he is not coming back.
And as we had anticipated, Karan asked Salman about his sex life, marriage, and children. Salman handled it well, explaining that what happens in his bedroom isn’t up for discussion—unlike what happens in his living room. However, he admitted he would like to have children at some point.
Regarding marriage, Salman clearly said it is his personal decision and that he cannot blame anyone else for it. He said, “Nobody stopped me from getting married; I stopped myself.”
Most of the conversation revisited the past—from Karan Johar’s first film featuring Salman to the fact that his show’s final season also began with Salman. They talked about their families, their relationship, and the support they’ve shared, which felt truly wholesome.
However, in terms of sensational elements, there wasn’t anything particularly noteworthy in the premiere episode. That said, Karisma Kapoor’s surprise entry and the rapid-fire round did make the show entertaining to some extent.
Ultimately, the season got off to a snoozing start and didn’t build much excitement; however, we hope the show—known for its iconic charm—revives it in the episodes to come.
Our Editorial Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.
