Fifth-grade student from Gujarat told the veteran host, “Don’t sit and explain the rules to me right now,” leading to an online storm and a discussion on knowledge vs. humility.
A recent episode of the popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) Season 17 has ignited a nationwide discussion after a 10-year-old contestant, Ishit Bhatt from Gandhinagar, Gujarat, displayed a strikingly overconfident and assertive attitude towards the show’s veteran host, Amitabh Bachchan.
The episode, which aired on October 9th, saw Ishit take the hot seat, but his behaviour from the moment he sat down quickly caught the attention of the audience and later, the entire social media world.
‘Don’t Explain the Rules’ – The Viral Exchange
Ishit’s conduct, which many viewers perceived as bordering on disrespectful, began early in the game. Before Mr. Bachchan could even complete the customary explanation of the game rules, the Class 5 student interrupted, confidently stating, “Mere ko rules pata hai, isliye aap mereko abhi rules samjhane mat baithna” (I already know the rules, so please don’t sit and explain them to me right now).
The assertive tone continued throughout the segment. Ishit frequently urged the host to speed up, interrupting him to ask for the options, or demanding his answer be locked immediately. Phrases like “Arre option daalo!” (Put the options up!) and “Sir ek kya, uss mein chaar lock lagado, lekin lock karo” (Forget one, just lock all four options) were used by the young contestant, surprising Bachchan and the studio audience. At one point, he even questioned a question, asking, “Yeh koi sawaal hai puchne ka?” (Is this even a question worth asking?).
The Ramayana Question That Led to an Empty Hand
The game took a critical turn when Ishit reached the fifth question, playing for ₹25,000: “What is the name of the first Kanda (section/book) of the Valmiki Ramayana?”
The options were: A. Bala Kanda, B. Ayodhya Kanda, C. Kishkinda Kanda, and D. Yuddh Kanda. Despite his previous high confidence, Ishit paused before selecting option B (Ayodhya Kanda). To his disappointment, Mr. Bachchan revealed the answer was incorrect. The correct answer was A (Bala Kanda). Ishit left the show empty-handed, losing the money he had already won.
Addressing the outcome, the host gently remarked that sometimes children make mistakes due to overconfidence.
Social Media Erupts: From Criticism to Defence
The viral clips of the episode unleashed a massive torrent of reactions online, shifting the conversation from a quiz show to a heated debate on parenting, manners, and the pressure on children in reality television.
Critiques of Ishit’s Behaviour and Upbringing: Many netizens were quick to criticize the child’s tone, labeling him “rude,” “arrogant,” and “oversmart.” The backlash was often directed at his parents for an apparent lack of discipline and humility. One widely-shared comment on X (formerly Twitter) read: “It’s okay if your child has knowledge, but if he doesn’t have manners or if he doesn’t know how to talk in front of elders, he can never be successful. Perfect ending. Arrogance got schooled.”
A Call for Empathy: Conversely, a section of the internet, including celebrity voices like singer Chinmayi Sripaada and cricketer Varun Chakaravarthy, defended the child. They called out the “bullying” nature of the adults online, arguing that the harsh criticism was excessive for an excited or nervous child on national television. Some also speculated the entire segment may have been partly scripted for entertainment or that the child was a victim of the “Six Pocket Syndrome” (excessive pampering from two parents and four grandparents).
Regardless of the divided opinions, the consensus remains that Amitabh Bachchan handled the challenging interaction with remarkable composure and grace, which only earned him further praise from viewers. The episode has undoubtedly become one of the most talked-about moments of KBC 17.