Koffee With Karan 9: Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna's Couple Debut Brings Proposal Secrets, a No-Phones Wedding and a Backlash Storm -

From a sangeet-night proposal to “ask me a hundred times,” the newlyweds’ couch confessions have the internet divided over romance, jokes and who really won the rapid fire.

Mumbai, October 22, 2026

The couch is hot again. Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna made their first appearance as a married couple on the second episode of the final season of Koffee With Karan, which aired on Wednesday. It was Rashmika’s debut on the show and Vijay’s second visit after his earlier appearance with Liger co-star Ananya Panday, and the episode has already produced headlines, memes and a fresh round of online debate.

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The Proposal Plot Twist

The biggest revelation was about the ring. Vijay dismissed all rumours and pictures of an engagement ring on Rashmika’s finger by saying he had not proposed until the day of their sangeet celebrations. He said he felt she should have it, so he called his friends and went down on one knee. He also admitted he felt annoyed when paparazzi posted some random ring and called it their engagement ring. Then came the moment fans were waiting for: he lifted Rashmika’s hand and showed the set of engagement rings on camera for the first time.

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The couple tied the knot in February this year, so the episode was the first big on-camera look at how their story unfolded.

“Ask Me a Hundred Times”

The line that dominated the promo, and the discussion afterwards, concerned who wanted marriage first. Rashmika said she was ready and wanted to get married, while Vijay was not. His reply at the time was that she should ask him a hundred times and then they would think about it. He admitted on the show that it was a stupid thing to say. The couple said it happened at an airport while returning from a holiday, when Rashmika first said, “Let’s get married.” She revealed she kept asking for an entire year.

A Wedding Without Phones

On the wedding itself, Vijay said no cameras or phones were allowed. He told the team shooting the wedding not to approach him with requests to turn this way or that, and said he did not want to see anyone on stage except his friends and family. He wanted to enjoy the moment with his closest people without feeling watched or conscious. Rashmika said she enjoyed the celebrations. Reactions online were split between those who found it thoughtful and others who wondered whether it was too controlling.

The Love Confession

Vijay also reflected on how his views on love have changed. Looking back, he said, he spoke about love with disrespect and disbelief in earlier interviews, which he now sees as immature. He said he was clouded by ambition until he met Rashmika, and that his fondness for her turned into dependency, because his days felt better when she was around. He added that he sleeps incredibly well when she is with him, and that was when he decided he wanted to marry her.

The Backlash

Not everyone was charmed. When the show’s promo came out, some viewers criticised Vijay’s light-hearted reply as dismissive. One social media user went as far as calling him a narcissist, and others accused him of humiliating his wife. After the episode aired, the debate continued, with fans pointing out that the couple laughed through the moment together. Whether it was playful banter or a poor joke is now a matter of taste, but the controversy has kept the episode trending.

The Rest of the Couch

Janhvi and Sara’s date wish: When Karan asked whether Rashmika was offended that Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor once said they would like to date Vijay, she said it was fun. But she did not want Vijay to name another actor when Karan asked who he shares the best on-screen chemistry with. In the promo she quickly answered “Nobody,” and Vijay joked about “Rule no. 101 of marriage: Agree with the wife.”
Boundaries at work: Karan asked Rashmika about Janhvi’s experience with Peddi and how she deals with filmmakers’ expectations. She said she is not comfortable with exposing and skin show, even if some commercial costumes require bikinis, and that she draws her own lines. Most of the directors she works with are fine with that, she said, and those are the people she prefers.
The heart emoji: Karan sounded annoyed at how often Rashmika uses the heart gesture. She explained that it began during Covid, when she wore a mask and photographers could not capture her big smile, so she used the heart gesture to show how she felt. It soon became a trend.
Allu Arjun over Ranbir Kapoor: In the rapid-fire round, Rashmika picked Allu Arjun over Ranbir Kapoor. Vijay also called Allu Arjun to deliver the now-famous line “Karan, it’s me.”
The slip-ups: Karan asked Vijay whether he liked Bollywood better than the south. Vijay said he could not answer because he has not worked in a Hindi film yet. Rashmika also did not know that Mohanlal is introduced as “The Complete Actor.” Some viewers found the game and rapid-fire rounds less entertaining than in the past.

The Ranabaali Factor

The timing is no accident. The episode arrived days after the couple’s film Ranabaali hit theatres on October 16 to mixed reactions. Reports describe its early box-office numbers as moderate, with the Dasara holidays offering some help. A high-profile couch appearance is a major promotional boost, and the buzz around their chemistry is exactly what the film needs.

What This Means for Everyone Involved

For Vijay Deverakonda: The episode gave fans a rare look at his softer side, but it also exposed him to criticism over his jokes and his strict no-phones wedding. How he responds to the backlash, whether with humour or a clarification, could shape the conversation. His admission that he used to speak about love with disbelief is a refreshing bit of honesty, and it could win back some of those who were annoyed.

For Rashmika Mandanna: She came across as warm, candid and clear about her limits at work, which is likely to strengthen her image. Her comments on costume boundaries may encourage more open conversation about what actresses are comfortable doing on screen.

For the couple’s brand value: Newlywed chemistry is a marketing asset. Expect brands and producers to value the pair together as well as individually, and expect fans to keep demanding more joint projects.

For Karan Johar and the show: As the last season of the series, every episode matters. The couple’s episode has given the show a trending moment, though some viewers want more energy in the game rounds.

For the wider conversation: The no-phones wedding and the proposal story show how celebrities are trying to take back control of their personal milestones from paparazzi and social media.

Also Read: https://ultapaltakhabar.com/diljit-dosanjh-warns-fans-about-fake-volunteer-posts-ahead-of-aura-india-tour-as-delhi-concert-permission-hits-a-roadblock/

The Bottom Line

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna delivered what a Koffee With Karan couple episode promises: a real proposal story, an unusual wedding, a few awkward jokes and plenty of material for fans to debate. The rings are finally visible, the heart emoji has an origin story, and the internet has its next argument. For a couple promoting a new film and celebrating a new marriage, it was a very loud week.

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