Deepika and Sonam together on Koffee With Karan

Karan Johar can't imagine kickstarting new Koffee season without Shah Rukh Khan. So the star records a video introduction
PS: AbhiAsh will be the first guests to feature this season

Shah Rukh Khan does not feature in the opening episode oF the third season of Koffee With Karan's (as he did in the earlier two outings). It is Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai who do the honours on November 7 on Star World.

But host Karan Johar cannot imagine kickstarting a new series sans a cuppa with best buddy SRK. As a result, Khan has shot an "introduction" to KWK so he could be a "part" of the show's opening episode.

As KJo puts it, "I cannot do anything without Shah Rukh. Whether it is a film, a fashion show or a chat show. It has to include him. Moreover, the show begins airing during Diwali. I can't be celebrating without including him."

Over the weekend, the producer-director was to

shoot for the introductory scenes with SRK in Rome, for the International Film Festival where My Name Is Khan is being screened.

Adds Karan, "I don't need to tell Shah Rukh anything or give him a brief. I just need to give him a mic in hand. He has a way with words."

And King Khan sure knows how to serve the cuppa piping hot. Interestingly, KWK, will have AbhiAsh together on Koffee With Karan for the first time.

Even though he has appeared on the show with his dad Amitabh Bachchan, while she featured in an episode with Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Extra Special Delights

Director's Special: On Thursday a directors' special was shot with Raj Kumar Hirani, Imtiaz Ali and Farah Khan.

Devgns: Karan Johar will also get Ajay Devgn to appear on a talk show for the first time along with biwi Kajol. On the couch, they will have what promises to be a heart-to-heart of lifetime. KJo has asked Kads to convince her hubby to join them for some Koffee. KJo tries to brush off these coup-couples on his show. "Ajay had earlier said no to my show."

Mr aur Mrs Khan: Besides Abhi-Ash, KJo will be shooting with another never-before talk-show pair. Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao. Mr and Mrs Khan were convinced by Wake Up Sid director Ayaan Mukerjee who's close to Karan and Kiran. Karan says, "Aamir has never been on my show before. To my delight, he has agreed to be on Koffee With Karan during the release of Dhobi Ghat."

Khan vs Kapoor: On Wednesday he recorded two back-to-back episodes with Sonam Kapoor-Deepika and Ranbir Kapoor-Imran Khan. On shooting rivals on the same platform, the host says, "Rivals? If they are, they're the coolest rivals I've ever seen."

Dippy and Sonam: Insiders say so far this is the best episode of the lot. KJo says, "Both the girls were supremely relaxed with one another. Thank heavens! Because I had to complete the two episodes within hours."