Karan Johar on love life: 'Marriage may not be a possibility for me'
Synopsis
In one of 'Koffee With Karan 9's' most candid moments, Karan Johar dropped the host's armour and became the guest — admitting he longs for a partner who can share his daily life and raise his 10-year-old twins, while conceding that marriage may simply not be a practical reality for him.
Key Takeaways
Karan Johar revealed his wish for a romantic partner on an episode of 'Koffee With Karan 9.' He said 'Marriage, I think, technically may not be a possibility' for him.
Karan wants a partner who will also be an equal co-parent to his twins Yash and Roohi , both aged 10 .
Actor Vijay Deverakonda publicly affirmed his relationship with Rashmika Mandanna on the same episode.
Vijay offered Karan a warm public blessing, calling his wish genuine and heartfelt.
Filmmaker Karan Johar opened up about his personal life on his celebrity chat show 'Koffee With Karan 9,' revealing his desire to find a meaningful relationship while acknowledging that marriage may not realistically be on the cards for him. The candid disclosure came during a conversation with actor Vijay Deverakonda, making for one of the more emotionally resonant moments of the season.
What Karan Said on the Couch
The conversation took shape when Vijay asked Karan what he most wanted to manifest in his life. Karan responded with characteristic frankness, expressing a longing for companionship that goes beyond the professional milestones he has spent decades accumulating. "I would like to have a partner. I would like to be in a relationship. Marriage, I think, technically may not be a possibility," he said.
The filmmaker went further, painting a picture of what an ideal partnership would look like for him — someone to share the quiet, unremarkable moments of daily life alongside the celebratory ones. "So somebody who can share the nothings of my day with, something who I can celebrate the somethings of my life with, someone who can be an equal parent to my twins who are now ten, and somebody who I can call mine and yet feel loved and respected and also complete my life with me," he added.
The Role of Parenting in His Wish
A striking element of Karan's confession was his mention of his children. The director, who is a single parent to twins Yash and Roohi, both now 10 years old, said he hoped for a partner willing to share parenting responsibilities. This signals that any future relationship would need to be a family commitment, not merely a romantic one — raising the bar considerably for what he is seeking.
Vijay Deverakonda's Response
Vijay, who appeared on the show alongside actress Rashmika Mandanna, had earlier spoken warmly about his own relationship, saying, "I'm going to hold Rashmika's hand, and you know with me she's safe." After hearing Karan's heartfelt wish, Vijay expressed support, saying, "Let's pray to the old gods and the new and the coffee gods and the couch gods to make this happen." Karan appeared visibly moved, replying, "Yeah. I think your prayer felt real."
A Rare Moment of Vulnerability
For a filmmaker who has spent years facilitating confessions from Bollywood's biggest names on his own show, Karan's candour about his own emotional life is relatively rare. The episode underscores a broader cultural moment in which public figures in India are increasingly willing to speak about longing, loneliness, and unconventional family structures on mainstream platforms. This comes amid a wider shift in how Indian entertainment personalities discuss personal relationships in public discourse.
Point of View
The most revealing one was his own. His admission that marriage may not be possible, paired with an explicit desire for an equal co-parent, reframes what has typically been treated as a celebrity curiosity into something more structurally significant: a public figure navigating single parenthood and non-traditional relationship structures in a society that rarely normalises either. The moment is also a quiet commentary on what 'Koffee With Karan' has always done best — using the format of celebrity small-talk to surface genuine emotional truths. Whether this translates into a broader cultural conversation or remains a memorable soundbite depends on how media and audiences choose to carry it forward.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Karan Johar say about marriage on Koffee With Karan 9?
Karan Johar said that while he would like to be in a relationship and have a partner, marriage may not be a practical possibility for him. He made the admission during a candid exchange with actor Vijay Deverakonda on his chat show 'Koffee With Karan 9.'
What kind of partner is Karan Johar looking for?
Karan described wanting someone who can share the everyday moments of his life, celebrate his achievements, and crucially, act as an equal parent to his 10-year-old twins Yash and Roohi. He said he wants to feel 'loved and respected' and to have his life completed by that person.
Who are Karan Johar's twins?
Karan Johar's twins are named Yash and Roohi, and are currently 10 years old. He is their single parent, which is why he specifically mentioned wanting a partner willing to share parenting responsibilities.
What did Vijay Deverakonda reveal about Rashmika Mandanna on the show?
Vijay Deverakonda spoke openly about his relationship with actress Rashmika Mandanna, saying 'I'm going to hold Rashmika's hand, and you know with me she's safe.' The couple appeared together on the episode of 'Koffee With Karan 9.'
Why is Karan Johar's confession considered significant?
Karan Johar, known for drawing personal revelations from his guests, rarely speaks this openly about his own emotional life. His candid discussion of longing for love, co-parenting, and the constraints around marriage marks a rare moment of personal vulnerability for one of Bollywood's most prominent figures.
