When Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor playfully outed Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda on 'Koffee with Karan'

Before the pan-India wave fully merged Bollywood with the South film industries, one unforgettable episode of ‘Koffee with Karan Season 7’ unexpectedly turned into a gossip goldmine. The chat show hosted by Karan Johar put Janhvi Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan in the spotlight, but it was their playful hints about Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna that set social media buzzing.

At the time, the two South stars were persistently linked, though they had never confirmed a relationship. Looking back now, the segment feels like an early public wink at what would later become one of the most discussed off-screen pairings in Indian cinema.

The rapid-fire moment that sparked speculation

During the show’s famous rapid-fire round, Karan Johar asked Janhvi whether she tracked her peers’ social media popularity. The actress admitted, “At one point I was very intrigued by how fast Rashmika's Instagram was growing.” Her candid remark seemed harmless until Sara Ali Khan jumped in with a mischievous, “How Cheesy.” The cryptic comment immediately triggered online sleuthing, with many interpreting “cheesy” as a playful nod to Vijay Deverakonda.

Earlier in the same episode, both actresses had jokingly nicknamed Vijay as “Cheese,” with Janhvi quipping, “We can't be after the same slice of cheese as you said.” The cheeky banter was enough to ignite rumours, even though it was delivered entirely in jest.

Films that fuelled the dating rumours

Speculation around Vijay and Rashmika had originally intensified after their crackling on-screen chemistry in ‘Geetha Govindam’ and later ‘Dear Comrade’. Both films became major successes, building a devoted fan base that eagerly rooted for them as a real-life couple. Following the release of ‘Dear Comrade’, whispers even escalated into brief marriage rumours. Despite the frenzy, the actors repeatedly denied being romantically involved.

Years later, the narrative around the duo has evolved alongside their careers. Rashmika Mandanna has cemented her position in Hindi cinema with major projects including ‘Animal’, while Vijay Deverakonda continues to command a strong presence in Telugu cinema with growing pan-India recognition. Both stars have largely kept their personal lives guarded, choosing to stay silent amid speculation.

From rumours to reality

What once seemed like playful industry gossip has since taken a definitive turn, with the pair recently announcing their marriage. In hindsight, that light-hearted couch conversation now reads like a pop-culture time capsule, a moment when Bollywood insiders appeared to know more than they were letting on, wrapped in jokes about a mysterious “slice of cheese.”Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”