Amitabh Bachchan Opens Up About the Emotional Cost of KBC
Amitabh Bachchan has opened up about the emotional strain of hosting the ongoing 18th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati, saying that some contestants’ personal stories have made it difficult for him to continue with the show.
In a late-night post on his personal blog dated September 7, Bachchan wrote that some contestants arrive with “grave personal stories” that make it difficult to manage his emotions and continue hosting the programme.
He described the experience as “heart-breaking” and ended the post by writing: “I wish to retire now .. it is late .. and the night invites.”
The remark has prompted speculation that the 83-year-old actor could be considering an exit from Kaun Banega Crorepati. But there is an important distinction: Bachchan has not announced that he is quitting KBC or that Season 18 will be his last.
What Amitabh Bachchan actually said
Bachchan did not identify the contestants or disclose the circumstances that affected him.
Instead, he indicated that there were reasons for keeping those stories private, writing that he would not elaborate because doing so could affect the understanding between the host and the channel.
His comments came after he reflected on the personal experiences contestants bring to the KBC hot seat. The show may be built around general-knowledge questions and prize money, but contestants regularly discuss financial difficulties, family responsibilities and difficult periods in their lives.
That human element appears to have weighed heavily on Bachchan during the current season.
His September 7 post was not framed as a formal retirement announcement. Instead, the retirement remark appeared at the end of a reflection about the emotional difficulty of hosting the programme.
KBC 18 is currently airing
Bachchan is currently hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati 18, which premiered on August 10.
The season carries the theme “Sochna Padega”, built around the idea of thinking carefully and applying knowledge rather than simply rushing toward an answer. Bachchan returned to the host’s chair after having already spent more than two decades as the face of the franchise.
Several recent episodes have featured contestants discussing difficult personal circumstances.
One recent contestant, Durga Prasad Sahi, spoke about a ₹10 lakh gambling debt and his intention to repay it through honest means. He eventually walked away with ₹12.5 lakh after reaching the ₹25 lakh question. Bachchan also advised him to stay away from gambling.
Other contestants have similarly brought stories of financial hardship and family struggles to the programme.
The format gives Bachchan considerable interaction with contestants beyond the questions themselves, making those personal accounts an integral part of the show.
Bachchan has used the word “retire” before
The latest remark has particular significance because Bachchan has previously used similar language in his blog without announcing an actual departure from KBC.
In August, while describing a 24-hour work shift connected with the production of KBC 18, he wrote that he would “retire” for the night, get something to eat and sleep before another early call. The context made clear that he was referring to resting after work rather than ending his television career.
That episode also demonstrated that Bachchan remained heavily involved in the production of the current season. He said the announced broadcast schedule left little room for delay and that missing it could mean a “job replacement” for him.
The latest post is different in tone because it directly connects his wish to retire with the emotional experience of hearing contestants’ stories. Even so, Bachchan or the programme’s broadcaster has not confirmed that he is stepping down.
A long association with KBC
Bachchan has been closely identified with Kaun Banega Crorepati since the show launched in 2000.
He hosted the first two seasons, returned for Season 4 in 2010, and has hosted every subsequent season, with one exception. Shah Rukh Khan hosted Season 3 in 2007. Bachchan then returned to the franchise and has remained its defining presenter.
The association has also produced several emotional farewells.
At the end of Season 15 in December 2023, Bachchan became visibly emotional while saying goodbye to viewers. His words led some fans to believe he might be retiring from the programme, but he returned for subsequent seasons.
That history is one reason the latest statement should be treated carefully rather than as confirmation of an imminent exit.
No confirmed decision to leave
For now, the evidence supports a narrower conclusion.
Bachchan has acknowledged that some contestants’ stories have affected him deeply and said that continuing to host can be difficult in those moments. He also wrote that he wished to retire.
What remains unconfirmed is whether that sentence represents a genuine decision to leave Kaun Banega Crorepati, a temporary expression of emotional exhaustion, or simply a reflection on the demands of the job.
No verified announcement has confirmed that KBC 18 is Bachchan’s final season.
For the moment, he remains the host of the ongoing season, while his latest comments have opened fresh questions about how long he intends to continue.
