Karan Johar

Karan Johar’s journey as a host for the Indian reality television phenomenon, Bigg Boss, began with the launch of its digital spin-off, Bigg Boss OTT Season 1, in August 2021. Streaming on the platform Voot, this Hindi-language series marked a significant expansion of the franchise, designed to be "bolder and crazier" for an online audience. Johar served as the primary host for the entire six-week duration of the season, which culminated in September 2021 with Divya Agarwal being crowned the winner. His presence brought a distinct "filmy" flair to the show, often incorporating elements of his trademark style from his long-running talk show, Koffee with Karan, into the Weekend Ka Vaar sessions.

Following his successful stint on the OTT platform, Karan Johar transitioned into a recurring guest host role for the main television series on Colors TV, often stepping in when the primary host, Salman Khan, was unavailable. In Bigg Boss 16 (2022–2023), Johar took charge of the "Shukravaar Ka Vaar" episodes during the third week while Khan was recovering from dengue, and returned later in the eighteenth week. He reprised this role in Bigg Boss 17 (2023–2024), hosting during the seventh and thirteenth weeks. During these appearances, the set was often transformed into "KJo City," where he would engage the contestants in tasks inspired by his own cinematic career, maintaining the show's momentum through his unique, authoritative, yet entertaining hosting style.

Johar’s tenure was not without significant decisions and controversies that sparked widespread debate among fans. During Bigg Boss OTT 1, he faced intense social media backlash and accusations of being a "biased" host, with many viewers feeling he unfairly favored Shamita Shetty—an old friend from the industry—while being overly critical of contestants like Divya Agarwal and Zeeshan Khan. One of his most notable decisions was the ejection of Zeeshan Khan for physical violence, a move that divided the audience. Similarly, in his guest appearances on the main show, he was known for his "brutally honest" approach, famously slamming Isha Malviya in Season 17 for her double standards and reprimanding Abhishek Kumar for his aggressive behavior. Despite the polarized reactions, Johar’s involvement is often credited with bringing a sophisticated and high-stakes energy to the "Vaar" episodes.