When you think of Koffee With Karan, your mind immediately goes to industry gossip, guests giving sassy replies, and catfights. The Karan Johar-led show has had these moments multiple times throughout its seven seasons. Naturally, people have started to associate the chat show with these things. However, despite the mudslinging, there have been moments when women actors have talked about their choices.
When women actors talk about how they have exercised their agency in a male-dominated world, and in a male-dominated industry, it empowers other women. Celebs are looked up to by many people and they can help set examples and make things easier for common women like you and me. Here are eight times women talked about their choices and set a narrative.
1. When Deepika spoke about the friendly relationship she has with her ex.
Society expects two exes to not be in touch with each other and harbour a feeling of enmity. That holds for celeb couples who are idolized and are portrayed as #goals. But at the end of the day, relationships can end and they are humans. We all know how Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor’s relationship was portrayed after their breakup. Even today people pass sexist remarks when they see her with her ex.
2. When Vidya Balan talked about a woman’s desire.
In the Rapid Fire round, Vidya was asked to mention one thing that men should know about women. The actress gave a bold reply and said, “That women like it, need it, and want it as much as they do.” Back then, what she said was viewed as scandalous, but there is nothing wrong with a woman who desires sex.
3. When Deepika Padukone spoke about casual dating.
The first episode of Koffee With Karan Season 8 featured Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh on the Koffee couch. Deepika talked about how they were casually dating each other before they tied the knot. They were fine with it because it was consensual. However, her comment enraged many people because God forbid how dare a woman casually date someone?
4. When Rakhi Sawan spoke about cosmetic procedures.
You cannot pass comments on when a celeb chooses cosmetic procedures. It is their body, their choice. Rakhi Sawant got candid about her surgeries and showed utmost honesty on the couch.
5. When Kareena Kapoor talked about her family.
Kareena Kapoor was asked about Sara and Ibrahim and the relationship she has with them. Kareena replied by saying, “We are a family, and if there’s love and regard, then this is it. They’re Saif’s children, they’re his priority.” It is stereotypical to expect a woman to not be on good terms with her husband’s ex-wife and/or the children. Kareena’s response showed that you don’t have to choose; you cannot choose in a family.
6. When Sushmita Sen talked about where she stands when it comes to relationships.
It is always expected that women should settle for the first man who walks in her life and settle for whatever comes her way. Sushmita Sen refused to do that. When Karan Johar asked her about relationships, she said, “I’m taking a breather here. I definitely needed to get my space. I also think that I am older than I was at 16 where dating was fun. I think that there’s a lot more I’d need from a man and it’s not easy to get it”.
8. When Ananya Panday called out Arjun Reddy.
Women are always expected to say things that massage the ego of men. The same was expected from Ananya Panday when she appeared on the show with Vijay Deverakonda. When Karan Johar asked her about her views on Arjun Reddy, people expected her to go with the flow and heap praises. But Ananya chose to call out the film when Vijay was sitting right next to her. She used her platform for doing the right thing.
These moments are just the tip of the iceberg. The show needs to do a lot more when it comes to promoting female camaraderie.
