Koffee with Karan Season 9 trends at No. 1 on JioHotstar in India, the UK, Canada and Singapore

MUMBAI: One last brew, and the world wants a sip. Hotstar Specials Koffee with Karan Season 9, the show’s final season, has opened to a thunderous response. The iconic chat show is trending at No. 1 on JioHotstar across India, the UK, Canada and Singapore. News and views from the episode also trended on X in the entertainment category, while Instagram was flooded with reaction reels, reviews and an outpouring of love for the episode.

The premiere broke from the usual format, with Salman Khan taking the couch as sole guest. True to form, he was disarmingly candid. He revealed that he wants to have children someday and explained why he keeps his personal life private. He admitted to sharing his bedroom with a mysterious, other-worldly “presence”. He also said he offered to do Kuch Kuch Hota Hai without charging a fee, out of love for Yash Johar, who treated him like a son.

Then came the moment that set social media ablaze. Karisma Kapoor, Khan’s friend and co-star across more than 10 films, made a surprise entry to host the rapid-fire round. Khan playfully called her his “longest living affair”. He also recounted a prank from their shooting days that once left her in tears. Fans could not get enough of their easy chemistry, and many called for the two to reunite on screen. For viewers who grew up on their films, it was pure 90s nostalgia on the koffee couch.

The numbers back the buzz, and so does the strategy. Alok Jain, head, Hindi and English entertainment business (streaming, TV and studios), JioStar, said: “Koffee with Karan is a powerful example of what a homegrown IP can achieve when it stays true to its voice. Built in India with an unmistakably Indian sensibility, the show has earned a loyal audience at home and is finding resonance with viewers across markets. Its opening performance reaffirms our belief that strong, culturally rooted franchises travel, and that investing in iconic Indian IPs is central to how we build lasting engagement on JioHotstar.”

The season also marks a milestone partnership. It is The Peacock Hub’s first Indian collaboration, and the first time NBCUniversal and JioHotstar have come together on a homegrown show.

Karan Johar, host and creator, Koffee with Karan, said: “Koffee with Karan has always been about nostalgia for me. It is a show that has grown up alongside its audience, and opening the final season with Salman, and Lolo walking in as a surprise, felt like flipping through an old family album. What has truly thrilled me is seeing the love pour in from beyond India. Knowing that viewers in the UK, Canada and Singapore have taken the show to No. 1, and are tuning in, laughing and sharing reels with us, makes this last chapter even more special. There’s plenty more brewing this season, so keep your cups ready!”

Hotstar Specials Koffee with Karan Season 9 streams exclusively on The Peacock Hub on JioHotstar, with new episodes every Wednesday at 7 pm.