Amitabh Bachchan has returned to host the 16th season of “Kaun Banega Crorepati” (KBC 16), and the excitement kicked off with its first episode airing on Monday. The show, known for its high-stakes trivia questions, saw Utkarsh Baxi from Bengaluru take the hot seat after winning the ‘Fastest Fingers First’ round.
Utkarsh demonstrated his knowledge well throughout the game, but he hit a stumbling block on a question worth ₹25 lakh. The question that tripped him up was related to the Indian epic, the Mahabharata: “According to the Mahabharata, which God gifted a garland to Amba, saying whoever wears it will be the person to kill Bhishma?” The options provided were Lord Shiva, Lord Kartikeya, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Vayu.
Uncertain of the correct answer, Utkarsh opted to use his ‘Video Call a Friend’ lifeline, seeking advice from a friend who suggested Lord Shiva. Still unsure, he then used the ‘Double Dip’ lifeline, which allows two attempts at the answer but does not permit the contestant to quit the game. Utkarsh first selected Lord Shiva, which turned out to be incorrect. He then chose Lord Vayu, but that too was wrong. The correct answer was Lord Kartikeya.
Amitabh Bachchan explained the significance of the correct answer: “Lord Kartikeya, after rigorous penance, appeared in front of Amba in his six-faced avatar and presented her with a garland. He said whoever wears it will be able to kill Bhishma. Since nobody was ready to do it, he threw it on a pole. Later, when Amba was reborn as Shikhandi, she wore the garland and killed Bhishma.”
As a result of his incorrect answers, Utkarsh missed the chance to win ₹25 lakh. Had he decided to quit the game before attempting the question, he could have walked away with ₹12.5 lakh. Instead, he ended up with a final prize of ₹3.20 lakh.
“Kaun Banega Crorepati” (KBC 16) airs on Sony Entertainment Television and has been a staple of Indian television, captivating audiences with its blend of knowledge and entertainment. The show continues to air on weekdays, Monday through Friday, at 9 PM.