May 22, 2025: In a surprising turn of events, it has been reported that Bollywood superstar Salman Khan might replace Amitabh Bachchan as the host of the iconic quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) from season 17. According to a recent report by Bollywood Hungama, Salman is in advanced discussions with the makers of KBC, and if everything goes as planned, he could take over hosting duties from Big B, marking a significant shift in the show’s long-standing legacy.
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A source close to the development revealed, “Salman Khan is the king of the small screen, and the best face to replace Amitabh Bachchan is him, as he also has a strong connect with the audience in the smaller centres. Earlier, Shah Rukh Khan has also hosted KBC, and if everything goes well, Salman will be the newest to take the television sets by storm.”
The insider further shared that Bachchan’s potential exit from KBC could be due to “personal reasons,” fueling speculation about the legendary actor stepping back from his role as the host. “Get ready to tune into Sony as Salman Khan might host the biggest and most popular quiz show of India as Amitabh Bachchan will be stepping back from KBC due to personal reasons,” the source added.
Interestingly, Sony TV had already announced the return of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 with Amitabh Bachchan through a promo video released on April 4. In the promo, Big B was seen portraying a patient suffering from a stomachache, a playful hint at the show’s comeback. While the premiere date for KBC 17 remains under wraps, it is expected to air in August.
Amitabh Bachchan has been synonymous with KBC since its debut in 2000, with the exception of season 3, which was hosted by Shah Rukh Khan. If Salman Khan does indeed replace the legendary actor, it will be interesting to see how the audience responds to the change. Salman’s larger-than-life persona and strong fan following could bring a fresh energy to the show, but only time will tell if fans will embrace him as the new face of KBC.
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development!