A new round of social media chatter has resurfaced speculation about whether Karan Johar was behind the end of the iconic talk show Rendezvous with Simi Garewal — a show that many fans still regard as one of the best Bollywood interview formats ever.

The controversy gained traction after a screenshot of Rendezvous resurfaced online showing that Simi Garewal’s official YouTube channel had liked a comment claiming her show was discontinued to make way for Karan Johar’s Koffee With Karan“Simi’s show was shut down to launch Koffee With Karan. It’s such a loss for the new generation, who are missing out on deep, inspiring conversations.” .

That like — now spreading across Reddit and other platforms — sparked a fresh wave of speculation, with some users claiming that the two shows couldn’t coexist and that industry politics played a role in the earlier show’s cancellation. Rendezvous with Simi Garewal first premiered on Star World in 2001, running for five seasons and featuring deep, sit-down conversations with stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Rekha.

Koffee With Karan, Karan’s signature chat show, launched in 2004, slightly after Rendezvous ended, and went on to become a defining celebrity gossip and pop-culture talk show with eight seasons on TV and streaming.

The different formats — one formal and deep, the other candid and playful — appealed to different audiences, and many debate whether the latter simply resonated more with viewers at that time. There has been no verified statement from either Simi Garewal or Karan Johar directly confirming that Koffee With Karan replaced Rendezvous due to any deliberate action by Johar or his team. The speculation mainly stems from the liked comment and fan discussion rather than a factual industry explanation.

Industry watchers and netizens alike have pointed out that television programming decisions often come down to ratings, audience demand, and network strategies — rather than a single person being able to “shut down” a show.

Also read: When Esha Deol Slapped Amrita Rao & Said She Deserved It; A Controversy That Shocked Bollywood

Some fans argue that Koffee With Karan simply resonated better and led to changing viewer preferences, not an active shutdown. Others believe there was more to it, suggesting rivalry or industry politics played a part. A few even claim a longstanding “cold war” between Simi Garewal and Karan Johar — though this is largely rooted in speculation and fan sentiment rather than confirmed accounts.

At this stage, the theory that Karan Johar intentionally shut down Rendezvous with Simi Garewal remains unconfirmed and speculative. While a social-media like has rekindled debates and stirred curiosity, there’s no definitive evidence to prove that the two shows were directly linked in such a cause-and-effect manner. Programmers and industry insiders typically make content decisions based on broader audience trends rather than personal rivalries.