Inside Koffee With Karan Season 9 Episode 2: Vijay and Rashmika Unfiltered

The famous couch is back in business for its farewell run. The second episode of Koffee With Karan Season 9, streaming on JioHotstar as of October 21, 2026, brought together one of Telugu cinema's most beloved and talked-about couples: Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna. Hosted by Karan Johar, the episode delivered a mix of playful banter, romantic nostalgia, and some surprisingly candid industry insights.

Here is a breakdown of everything that happened during their highly anticipated appearance.

The Proposal Story That Sparked Internet Backlash

One of the most talked-about moments of the episode was the revelation of the couple's marriage proposal. The pair, who first met on the sets of Geetha Govindam in 2017 and kept their relationship private for eight years, finally opened up about their journey to the altar. However, Vijay's revelation that he made Rashmika ask him 100 times over an entire year to get married quickly ignited a firestorm on social media.

While shared as a lighthearted anecdote on the couch, the internet reaction was swift and critical. Several viewers trolled Deverakonda, labeling him a "walking red flag" and accusing him of humiliating his wife on national television, with one user noting, "Even then, bro thinks like he did a favour by marrying her".

Addressing the 'Peddi' Controversy and On-Set Boundaries

The conversation shifted to more serious industry matters when Karan Johar brought up the recent online debate surrounding Janhvi Kapoor’s objectification and camera angles in the Ram Charan-starrer Peddi. When asked if she consciously sets boundaries to avoid similar situations, Rashmika was refreshingly clear.

She stated that she is not comfortable with exposing or skin show, even if a character requires a specific look like a bikini. "There are lines that I draw for myself, which most often directors are okay with," she explained.

Vijay chimed in to highlight the pressure actors face on set, noting that performers often doubt whether refusing a scene makes them look unprofessional. "They all need a support system to tell them that it is okay to put your foot down and say a 'no'," Vijay emphasized, adding that people can easily make actors feel obligated to do whatever is asked just because they signed the film. Rashmika agreed, mentioning that she sometimes consults Vijay to build the confidence to voice her discomfort to directors.

Unapologetic About Accent Trolling

Rashmika also tackled the persistent social media trolling regarding her Hindi dialogue delivery and South Indian accent. Shutting down the criticism, the Animal actress stated she doesn't see why it is treated as a problem. "I am from the South of India. So I am going to have an accent. It's unreasonable to think otherwise," she firmly responded.

She added that despite offering directors the option to use a different dubbing artist, none of them have wanted to replace her voice, and she takes immense pride in putting in the effort to dub for herself across multiple languages. Discussing her career choices, she expressed deep satisfaction in playing vastly different roles, specifically contrasting her characters in Animal and The Girlfriend.

Rapid-Fire Revelations and Gaming Highlights

The mood lightened significantly during the show's signature Rapid Fire and gaming segments, which Vijay Deverakonda ultimately swept, winning both rounds.

• Bold Choices: Rashmika didn't hold back, choosing her Pushpa co-star Allu Arjun over Ranbir Kapoor. She also picked The Girlfriend over Animal.

• The Chemistry Question: When Karan asked Vijay which actress he shares the best on-screen chemistry with besides his wife, Rashmika immediately interjected with, "Nobody!". Vijay smartly nodded along, sharing his golden rule for marriage: "Always agree with your wife".

• A Surprise Cameo: During the gaming segment, Vijay dialed Allu Arjun, who delighted fans by delivering the iconic line, "Karan, it's me".