Karan Johar to host ELITE Most Influential Season 6 at Oxford in December
Synopsis
Karan Johar is set to host ELITE Most Influential Season 6 at Oxford's Bodleian Libraries on 14 December 2026 — the most prestigious venue in the series' history. The filmmaker also opened up about wanting a life partner and being an equal parent to his twins, in a rare moment of personal candour on 'Koffee With Karan 9'.
Key Takeaways
Karan Johar will host the sixth season of ELITE Most Influential on 14 December 2026 .
The event will be held at the Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford , England.
Previous editions have been held at the Eiffel Tower , Tower Bridge , Statue of Liberty , and Burj Khalifa .
The series is organised by Puraskar Thadani , founder and editor-in-chief of ELITE Magazine .
Past honourees include Indra Nooyi , Masaba Gupta , Sabeer Bhatia , and Adi Godrej , among others.
Johar separately spoke about wanting a partner and being an equal parent to his ten-year-old twins on 'Koffee With Karan 9' .
Filmmaker Karan Johar has revealed he will host the sixth season of ELITE Most Influential, scheduled for 14 December 2026 at the historic Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, England. The event celebrates leaders and innovators whose influence spans business, arts, and entertainment on a global stage.
What Karan Johar Said
Reflecting on his role as host, Johar said, 'I've always believed that the people who leave a lasting mark are those who dare to think differently and create their own narrative. ELITE Most Influential celebrates that spirit, and bringing these extraordinary journeys to a place as steeped in history and ideas as Oxford makes the occasion particularly special.'
The filmmaker described the event as one that recognises individuals who build their own narratives rather than follow convention — a theme he said resonates deeply with him personally.
A Globe-Trotting Event Series
The ELITE Most Influential series, founded and organised by Puraskar Thadani, editor-in-chief of ELITE Magazine, has built a reputation for hosting editions at landmark international venues. Previous gatherings have been held at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tower Bridge in London, the Statue of Liberty in New York, and Dubai's Burj Khalifa and Museum of the Future. The Oxford edition marks the sixth instalment of the series.
Earlier seasons have featured a wide range of prominent personalities including former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, fashion designer Masaba Gupta, tech entrepreneur Sabeer Bhatia, industrialist Adi Godrej, actor Vivek Oberoi, chefs Vikas Khanna and Ranveer Brar, singer Kanika Kapoor, and actors Jacqueline Fernandez, Esha Deol, Lillete Dubey, and Safa Siddiqui.
Karan Johar on His Personal Life
Separately, Johar recently opened up about his personal aspirations during an episode of his chat show 'Koffee With Karan 9', in conversation with actor Vijay Deverakonda. The filmmaker spoke candidly about wanting a partner to share life with, while raising his ten-year-old twins.
'I would like to have a partner. I would like to be in a relationship. Marriage, I think, technically may not be a possibility. 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 said.
The dual revelations — his professional role at one of the world's most storied academic venues and his rare personal candour — paint a fuller picture of Johar heading into the close of 2026. The Oxford event on 14 December is expected to draw global attention to India's cultural and entrepreneurial impact on the world stage.
Point of View
The sort of soft-power ambassador role that few in Bollywood actively pursue. Oxford's Bodleian Libraries, one of the oldest libraries in Europe, is a significant step up in prestige even within this series' well-travelled history. Yet the more consequential moment may have been his 'Koffee With Karan' conversation: for an industry figure who has guarded his private life closely for decades, the candid articulation of wanting love and equal co-parenting signals a cultural shift in how celebrity vulnerability is received — and marketed — in India today.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will ELITE Most Influential Season 6 be held?
ELITE Most Influential Season 6 will be held on 14 December 2026 at the Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, England. It is the sixth edition of the series organised by Puraskar Thadani of ELITE Magazine.
Who is hosting ELITE Most Influential Season 6?
Filmmaker Karan Johar is hosting the sixth season of ELITE Most Influential. He described the Oxford venue as 'steeped in history and ideas' and said the event celebrates those who dare to think differently.
What is ELITE Most Influential?
ELITE Most Influential is an event series organised by Puraskar Thadani, founder and editor-in-chief of ELITE Magazine, that recognises leaders across business, arts, and entertainment. Previous editions have featured personalities such as Indra Nooyi, Adi Godrej, Masaba Gupta, and Sabeer Bhatia.
Which venues have previous ELITE Most Influential events been held at?
Past editions have been hosted at prominent global landmarks including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tower Bridge in London, the Statue of Liberty in New York, and Dubai's Burj Khalifa and Museum of the Future.
What did Karan Johar say about his personal life on 'Koffee With Karan 9'?
On 'Koffee With Karan 9', Karan Johar said he would like a partner to share everyday moments, celebrate achievements, and be an equal parent to his ten-year-old twins. He noted that marriage may not be a technical possibility for him but expressed a clear desire for companionship and love.
