TV Review: Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra on ‘Koffee With Karan’
“An actress by the name of Kareena Kapoor wants to know where you get your accent from;
The same place that her boyfriend gets it from…”
We all remember those quips that Kareena Kapoor (now Kareena Kapoor Khan) and Priyanka Chopra (now Priyanka Chopra Jonas) had swiped at each other during earlier seasons of this very show (albeit separately), presumably when they were vying for the same roles and when they had that thirst for the race to the top. Either way, if you’d forgotten, we get a compilation of them in this episode of Koffee With Karan which was pure TV GOLD. And PC and Bebo’s subsequent cringing was priceless too, and worth a second viewing if not more.
We’re not quite sure if their past digs on KWK was when the infamous war of the roses began all those years ago; or whether it was when Bebo took Aitraaz to the fact that PC chewed up the scenery in a film of the same name with a crackerjack performance as a man-eating corporate bitch. Or whether it was when PC nonchalantly started dating Shahid Kapoor soon after the infamous Shahid-Bebo split. Bebo denied it here and I do think judging by their warmth on the show a lot of it was media hype, probably because at the time it made for perfect gossip fodder to pit two leading actresses against each other, particularly when they were just starting out.
This show actually meant something then. It was our one way ticket to the stars and now it’s a concept that’s as dated as the hills – more on that another time though.
This particular episode, a fitting finale to this season mind, is where it’s all at. And boy was it worth the wait! This tweet literally sums it up in its entirety for me:
Best #KoffeeWithKaran episode of the season. PERIOD. Priyanka & Kareena gave us insightful conversation, shade and comical moments in equal measure. The last of the true blue superstar heroines. In conclusion, I will stan forever. #KoffeewithPriyanka #KoffeewithKareena pic.twitter.com/A28wMkaJ9x
— Sal (@severalthots) February 24, 2019
For the Bollywood aficionado who grew up idolising these brazen ice maidens (I’m referring to myself obvs), it was all but a given that we’d never see them sharing screen space – at least not knowingly. Kudos then, to KJo for making it happen – with quotable quotes, feisty, quick-witted jabs at each other, themselves, and their unsuspecting host, and an easy warm camaraderie that put all the politically correct, yawn-inducing episodes before them to shame, the ladies literally left no stones unturned to prove to one and all that they’d clearly buried the hatchet – and thankfully not into each other’s skulls! Looking like a zillion bucks, after having been in the industry for nearly two decades both Kareena and Priyanka showed today’s “it” girls that they just don’t make superstars like themselves anymore.
Sassy, sexy and stylish PC & Bebo were at their sizzling best in the finale of Koffee With Karan
Naturally, because KJo can’t let it go, Shahid Kapoor was brought up as one of the opening topics, but probably to his dismay, both PC and Bebo shut him down and demonstrated that they’d moved past it – as PC so candidly put it in her Rapid Fire round – that if she’s as good as a millennial at something – it’s moving on, and if one examines her rather checkered history with men, she’s had to do that quite a few times. It’s another matter that she still refused to admit that she and Shahid were actually once an ‘item’ of sorts.
Priyanka’s nuptials to JoBro Nick Jonas were obviously a hot topic too – the fact that KJo couldn’t resist a dig at not being invited, met with an incredibly QUICK response too, and quite frankly, it’s one that’s been waiting to be said for nearly six years:
KJo: You didn’t invite us to your wedding...
— BollyBrit® (@BollyBrit) February 24, 2019
PC: Well you left me out of the invites for many of your dos too.
(I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for her to say that directly to his face after he got together with a few star wives & ostracised her! 💃💁🏽♀️ #KoffeeWithPriyanka pic.twitter.com/At2YPRT1og
It was also refreshing to see PC take jibes at herself, where by her own admission, she felt that she hadn’t known Nick for half as long as she’d hoped, and the fact that she’s self aware enough to laugh at herself, is one of the things I’ve always loved about her. She’s aware of her flaws and her ‘chinks’ and it’s perhaps why it’s made her as successful as she is – both in India and abroad.
Has marriage and motherhood tamed Bebo? Or is it Saif who’s calmed her down? Whatever the case, I loved her in this episode. She had elements of her catty self, where she threw shade at many stars in her own ‘Bebo-esque’ manner, but at the same time displayed a softer more maternal, vulnerable side when she spoke about Taimur and her equation with Saif’s ex, Amrita. Who said change wasn’t healthy? It seems to have done these two divas a WORLD of good.
Having said that, I loved her admission to social media stalking and keeping tabs on who’s who – a lot of people would never own up to that but she wouldn’t be Bebo if she did it any other way! Similarly, her fun swipes at Priyanka hinting that she’d ‘forgotten her roots’ landed perfectly and had me grinning from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat. In fact, the pair of them chatted like long lost girlfriends catching up over cocktails and there is no way they are that good at putting on an act – even if they do ‘put the act in actress’.
Giggle Goddesses: Kareena & Priyanka were a joy on the Koffee couch
The Rapid Fire round had some hilarious anecdotes and their giggling was a blast – seriously, this is what I used to love about the show, but somewhere along the line, because of the way in which the wave of political correctness has taken over the world, and everyone has to pretend to be pally with friends as well as their foes, we seem to have lost that. Thank god then, that these ‘drama mamas’ kept that intact and brought the show’s groove back, even if it was for its finale.
Bebo sportingly let PC take the hamper because ‘heck she still has to stay in Bollywood even if PC had moved ship’ – literally as well as figuratively.
Overall, the episode was everything fans and stans would have hoped for and then some! I wasn’t quite expecting PC and Bebo to be as pally as they were, and the ping pong of banter that ensued so that was definitely a pleasant surprise. KJo really didn’t need to egg them on, and it was a fitting finale to what has essentially been an unbelievably tepid season.
There was A LOT that went down in forty minutes, but the highlights were:
Priyanka’s swipe at that ‘global scam artist’ article that caused a furore on social media
Kareena being comfortable with being referred to as ‘Chhoti Begum’
Kareena’s swipe at wanting to do Priyanka’s part in the Dharmesh Darshan dud Aap Ki Khatir
Priyanka’s annoyance at Nick’s obsession with timing, and Kareena nonchalantly saying ‘Ya well all Indians are like that!’ LMAO
Kareena’s disgust when KJo referred to her character in Veere Di Wedding as ‘Kalinda’
Priyanka calling Sanju the most overrated film of last year
Priyanka picking Ranveer over Ranbir both as her favourite co-star AND as a better actor
Kareena’s admiration toward Priyanka, her drive and her ambition
Kareena’s disgust over those Chucky Taimur dolls
There were quite a few tweets which I connected with, but these ones best summed up the sizzle sisters, who together, gave fans material to chew on for weeks, if not months:
The power that that has, the intelligence that that has, the clearance that that has, the access that that has, the influence that that has, the profile that that has, the international implications that that has! pic.twitter.com/gf6kLuUazr
— Sal (@severalthots) February 24, 2019
Two powerful women who, at one point or another, have been my favorite actresses and my sources of inspiration. Seeing these iconic women together made me realize just how desperately I need more of this friendship. We need PC x Bebo back onscreen together! #KoffeeWithKaran pic.twitter.com/612vtYEcJI
— jaz (@desiavan) February 25, 2019
Absolutely loved #KoffeeWithPriyanka #KoffeeWithKareena There was genuine respect nd appreciation for each other. I felt pC was much more open, she answered all the questions without being politically correct nd Bebo was fun as always. An episode worth the wait! #KoffeewithKaran pic.twitter.com/xWwgRuudrv
— Bhupendra Singh (@ibhupendra) February 25, 2019
Priyanka and Kareena to all the other episodes of #KoffeeWithKaran this season pic.twitter.com/UgzlClf6rW
— Sal (@severalthots) February 24, 2019
You can make guests pick Ranbir over Ranveer all you want in #KoffeeWithKaran. In the meantime, Ranveer has steadily delivered what actually matters: Gully Boy, Simmba, Padmaavat. The audience has embraced him in each of these films, and he’s coming into a league of his own now. pic.twitter.com/zBhZbfFmcP
— Strider (@StriderEl) February 24, 2019
Ugh, let me watch it again on TV. These girls actually define my childhood. All those long nights on Pinkvilla. Teen Sal HAD TIME. Life really came full circle with this episode. 🤧❤️ #KoffeewithKaran #KoffeewithPriyanka #KoffeewithKareena
— Sal (@severalthots) February 24, 2019
“I wasn’t invited to a lot of your do’s either” PRIYANKA FUCKING JONAS YOU SNAPPED GIRL AND THE EPISODE JUST STARTED #KoffeeWithKaran pic.twitter.com/YUFkycxNqU
— Stacy (@StacySuperDuper) February 24, 2019
Karan really saved the best episode for last. His mind. #KoffeewithKaran pic.twitter.com/0ihQibZlBK
— Sal (@severalthots) February 24, 2019
I LOVE KJO SO MUCH FOR BRINGING UP ALL THE ICONIC PETTY BEBOYANKA FIGHTS YA’LL THIS WAS MY DREAM 😭😂😂 #KoffeewithKaran pic.twitter.com/ESjiWlwvAF
— kay. (@karishmaokay) February 24, 2019
Priyanka acknowledged all the shade that was thrown at her. The global scam artist one, the fact that her and Nick only started dating two months back, that she was smiling too much in the wedding photos. This is why we stan
— Stacy (@StacySuperDuper) February 24, 2019
When I tell you I was CRYING TEARS pic.twitter.com/6Qx3EDSi4u
— Stacy (@StacySuperDuper) February 24, 2019
Priyanka: All of us evolve. We’ve clearly changed in our 2 decade long careers.
— Sal (@severalthots) February 24, 2019
Kareena: Cuz we have the ‘act’ in actress.
TEA. #KoffeewithKaran #koffeewithPriyanka #KoffeewithKareena pic.twitter.com/5gNDZRY40z
LMAOOOOO 😂😂😂
— Sal (@severalthots) February 24, 2019
You really are a messy bitch who lives for drama. @karanjohar #KoffeewithKaran #KoffeewithPriyanka #KoffeewithKareena pic.twitter.com/uKv3FBknmf
AN ENTRY. The other girlies could never! #KoffeewithKaran #KoffeewithPriyanka #KoffeewithKareena pic.twitter.com/yhuxLiBqI9
— Sal (@severalthots) February 24, 2019
PC picked Ranveer over Ranbir as a preferred co-star. My Priyaveer heart is so full right now #KoffeeWithPriyanka pic.twitter.com/Jl91BzpVGd
— 𝙎𝙞𝙗 (@sib_sibby) February 24, 2019
This was such a fun episode. It was everything I expected & much more. Two bonafide superstars, glowing and happy in their current space(s) and bonding beautifully over the past and present. Well done on an amazing season finale, @karanjohar #KoffeeWithPriyanka #KoffeeWithKareena
— 𝙎𝙞𝙗 (@sib_sibby) February 24, 2019
BEBOYANKA are the perfect blend of funny and savage 😂😋#KoffeeWithPriyanka #KoffeeWithKareena #KoffeeWithKaran pic.twitter.com/4BerC2BZ0j
— Rainberry🍇 (@piggy_chopps) February 24, 2019
Zoya Akhtar’s film about a slum-dwelling youngster with big dreams who refuses to let his relatively bleak circumstances cripple the longings of his heart, is a triumph, thanks to a ‘rap’turous performance by Ranveer Singh.
★★★★½