Alia Bhatt on Koffee With Karan: 'I started dating in 6th standard'
Synopsis
Long before she became one of Bollywood's most celebrated actresses, Alia Bhatt casually dropped a bombshell on Koffee With Karan — that her romantic history dated back to Class 6. Her deadpan follow-up ('we used to smile at each other from across the classroom') only made the moment more iconic, and it remains one of the show's most-quoted confessions.
Key Takeaways
Alia Bhatt made her Koffee With Karan debut in 2013 alongside Sidharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan .
She revealed she 'started dating in 6th standard,' though she clarified it amounted to smiling at a classmate across the room.
Her first serious boyfriend came in Class 10 — a relationship that lasted two years , which she described as her 'high-school love.' Alia confirmed the relationship ended because 'he dropped me,' not because of her acting ambitions.
She married actor Ranbir Kapoor on 14 April 2022 ; the couple's daughter, Raha Kapoor , was born in November 2022 .
Actress Alia Bhatt once left host Karan Johar visibly stunned on his popular chat show Koffee With Karan when she casually revealed that her romantic life began as early as Class 6. The candid confession came during her 2013 debut appearance on the show, alongside her Student of the Year co-stars Sidharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan.
The Confession That Shocked Karan Johar
The moment unfolded when Varun Dhawan told Karan that Alia had 'a string of young boyfriends' while growing up. Alia pushed back on the characterisation with a laugh, saying, 'I wouldn't call it a string, but I did have (boyfriends) and serious relationships, like two years, (then) two years.'
Karan, visibly taken aback, noted that this meant Alia had already been in two serious relationships by the time she was 17. When he asked, 'You started (dating) at 10?', Alia clarified with a grin: 'That's why I say it's not a string. I started dating in 6th standard.'
What 'Dating in 6th Standard' Actually Meant
Alia was quick to put the revelation in context. 'But that obviously wasn't dating. That was just like we used to smile at each other from across the classroom,' she said, prompting laughter from the audience. When Varun joked about 'half-base,' Alia shut it down firmly: 'There was no half anything. I actually had my first boyfriend in the 10th standard.'
She described that relationship as a meaningful one. 'Because I dated him for two years. He was my first, like high-school love,' she added.
The Break-Up and What Came After
Karan also probed whether Alia had ended the relationship in pursuit of an acting career. She denied it with characteristic wit — 'No, he dropped me' — drawing more laughs from the panel.
The candid exchange offered a rare, unguarded look at the actress before she became one of Bollywood's biggest names.
Alia Bhatt's Life Today
In the years since that 2013 episode, Alia's personal life has come full circle. She married actor Ranbir Kapoor on 14 April 2022 in a close-knit ceremony, following a period of dating. The couple welcomed their daughter, Raha Kapoor, in November 2022. Alia was most recently seen in the film Jigra.
Point of View
Years before PR management became second nature in Bollywood. What is notable is not the content of the confession but the ease with which she reframed it: from Varun's 'string of boyfriends' to a measured, context-aware account of teenage romance. That instinct for narrative control, visible even at her debut, may partly explain her longevity in an industry that consumes stars quickly. The moment also speaks to how Koffee With Karan has functioned as an unofficial archive of celebrity candour — often more revealing than any formal interview.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Alia Bhatt reveal on Koffee With Karan about her dating life?
Alia Bhatt revealed on Koffee With Karan that she started dating as early as Class 6, though she clarified it was not real dating — just exchanging smiles with a classmate. She said her first actual boyfriend came in Class 10, a relationship that lasted two years.
When did Alia Bhatt first appear on Koffee With Karan?
Alia Bhatt made her debut on Koffee With Karan in 2013, appearing alongside her Student of the Year co-stars Sidharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan. The episode became memorable for several candid revelations about her personal life.
Who did Alia Bhatt marry and when?
Alia Bhatt married actor Ranbir Kapoor on 14 April 2022 in a private ceremony. The couple welcomed their daughter, Raha Kapoor, in November 2022.
Did Alia Bhatt break up with her school boyfriend to pursue acting?
No. Alia denied ending the relationship for her acting career, saying on the show, 'No, he dropped me.' The relationship, which began in Class 10, lasted approximately two years.
What is Koffee With Karan and why is this episode significant?
Koffee With Karan is a long-running Bollywood chat show hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, known for drawing candid confessions from guests. Alia Bhatt's 2013 debut episode is considered one of its most memorable for her unguarded remarks about growing up and relationships.
