Karan Johar feels 'responsible' for Pandya-Rahul controversy

What's the story?

Their antics in the talk show - Koffee with Karan - didn't go well for Indian cricket duo of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. The two have been in news for all wrong reasons after the show was aired.

The host of the show, Karan Johar, has spoken on the matter for the very first time. The director and producer said that he feels 'very responsible' for what has happened.

"I have to say that I feel very responsible because it was my show, it was my platform. I invited them as guests and so the ramifications and repercussion of the show are my responsibility. I have had so many so many sleepless nights just wondering about how I can undo this damage, who is gonna listen to me. It's now gone into a zone which is beyond my control." Karan Johar told ET Now.

The background

Kofee with Karan is a popular television show where celebrities are invited to share interesting tidbits from their personal and professional lives.

Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul made some inappropriate comments which were termed 'racist', 'sexist' and 'misogynistic'.

Following which, BCCI took the strong action against them as both have been suspended pending inquiry. They were called back from the Indian squad midway through their recent tour of Australia.

The heart of the matter

Soon after the show was aired, Pandya and Rahul found themselves in the trouble. Netizens couldn't keep calm as they brutally lashed out at the duo. Many former and present-day cricketers also expressed anguish over some of the things they said.

However, quite a few also came to the rescue, saying this shouldn't have affected their in-field activities. Karan Johar, who hosts the show, has also accepted that he had a big part to play in whatever happened at the show.

The filmmaker affirmed, "I am just saying is that I think that perhaps things were said that may have crossed boundaries and I apologise because it was my platform from where it happened. I feel the boys have faced the price for it already."

What's next?

Although there have been talks that they may return to action in the near future, both Pandya and Rahul currently remain suspended. Their future will largely depend on how BCCI takes the case forward.