Hardik Pandya, K L Rahul - Koffee With Karan Controversy

Taking a break from his bollywood friends, This time  KJO invited two cricketers as guests on the coffee couch – Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul. The young cricketers have made misogynistic comments on the popular TV show Koffee With Karan which grabbed the eyeballs of the audiences. This episode of the TV show was aired on January 6.  During an hour long show, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul talked about their relationships, crushes, favourite movies, actors and actresses. On one hand Rahul kept a level head on his shoulders and chose his words very carefully while replying to Karan Johar's questions throughout the show and on the other hand Hardik who got carried away and opened up about hooking up with multiple women and even spoke about how open he is with his parents.

Controversial statements made by cricketers on the show:-

On asking about why he doesn’t ask women for their names in nightclubs, The 25-year-old also said things like, "I like to watch and observe how they (women) move. I'm little from the black side so I need to see how they move," 

When asked by the host Karan Johar if they had “done it in teammates’ rooms,” both Pandya and Rahul responded in the positive.

"When I lost my virginity, I came home and said, 'Main karke aya hai aaj (I had sex today)'. At a party my parents asked me 'acha tera wala (women) kaun sa hai [who is your interest here?] so I said yeh, yeh, yeh (pointing out women)' and they were like 'waah proud of you beta'," Pandya boasted.

Rahul then went on to reveal how they both decide on who gets to date a girl when Karan Johar asked them what happens when both of them like a particular person? "Upto the woman," Rahul replied. But Pandya interrupted and said, "Nahi nahi aisa kuch nahi hai, talent pe hota hai. Jisko mila woh leke jao. It is on talent."

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After effects:-

Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul criticised for their sexist and racists comments on a popular TV show, Koffee With Karan and set the internet on fire. Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were suspended from ongoing Australia tour & India's limited-overs tour of New Zealand later this month. The both young cricketers have been replaced by Vijay Shankar and Shubman Gill in the team. Hardik Pandya posted an apology note on twitter. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was not satisfied with the apology and put the two cricketers under provisional suspension and asked them return home from Australia. 

The duo was also slammed by legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar and World Cup-winning spinner Harbhajan Singh for their controversial remarks. Their comments on the show  disappointed their fans and followers and became a meme material after the controversy. Hardik has also lost out on an endorsement contract with the men’s grooming brand Gillette. The Indian cricketer had to incur a loss of approximately Rs. 2 crores due to this. Many companies are reconsidering their decision of having them as the faces of their respective brands. There is also talk of downgrading the two from their current level of central contracts.

 

 

Father on rescue:-

Hardik’s father Himanshu Pandya came into rescue of his son and said. "I don't think people should read too much into his comments. It was an entertainment show and his comments were made in a light-hearted manner. He was only looking to entertain the audience. So, it [his comments] should not be viewed very seriously or negatively. He is an innocent boy with a very fun-loving nature."

Pandya's father also provided an update on his son's current state of mind and said that the India all-rounder has not stepped out of the house since returning from Australia, not taking calls and did not even celebrate Makar Sankranti. "He watched the match (India vs Australia 2nd ODI). Ever since he has returned from Australia, he has not stepped out of the house. He is also not taking any calls... he is just taking rest,"

Pandya's father Himanshu was quoted as saying by "It's a festival... a public holiday in Gujarat, but Hardik did not fly any kites. He loves flying kites but his busy cricketing schedule never allowed him to be at home during this festival over the last few years. This time, he had a chance to fly kites, but because of the adverse situation, there was no mood to celebrate the festival," he added. "He is very disappointed with the suspension and repents the views he expressed on the TV show. He is committed not to repeat the same mistake," Himanshu said of his son's take on the subject. "We have decided not to talk to him on this subject. Even his elder brother Krunal has not discussed anything about the episode with him. We are waiting for the BCCI's decision," he concluded.

Controversial episode:-

Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul requested Karan Johar asking him to pull down the episode after things went out from their hands. The channels gave it a considerable thought with Karan as to whether it is right to pull down the episode considering that the controversy would have given it a significant TRP jump. The TV channel Star World on their part have taken down the Koffee With Karan repeat telecasts of entire week & episode from their streaming app as well in the interest of the cricketers and their careers.  In addition to this, channel has also been running an apology when they streamed their last episode with Shahid Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter.