The latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16 continued with rollover contestant Rahul Ashok Sachdeo, who had already secured Rs 20,000 in the previous episode. Host Amitabh Bachchan, with his usual charm, teased Rahul about his fiancée and curiously asked if they had spoken since his last episode. Rahul smiled and shared that his would-be wife had a special wish that she wanted Big B to attend their wedding in May.
Rahul then opened up about his struggles while growing up. He recalled visiting school on result day, only to be denied his marksheet due to unpaid fees. Despite ranking among the top five students, he couldn’t celebrate his success like his classmates. As they rejoiced, he dealt with financial burdens. His father ran a small stationery shop to support the family. Yet, Rahul always believed that true success wasn’t tied to a prestigious college but to knowledge and wisdom. For him, Kaun Banega Crorepati was more than a game show; it was an opportunity to change his life, a dream he had nurtured since childhood. He left the show with Rs 3,20,000.
After Rahul’s exit, the Fastest Finger First round determined the next contestant. Karishma Sharma from Odisha won and took the hot seat. She shared that being on the show was fulfilling her father’s long-cherished dream. Coming from a joint family of 25-30 members, she excitedly requested Amitabh Bachchan to connect with them via video call. The host gladly obliged, and the entire Sharma family cheered her on.
Amitabh playfully teased saying she has used a lifeline for such an easy question but soon noticed her nervousness. He immediately got up, gently held her hand, and guided her to take deep breaths. To further comfort her, he offered water and tissues before resuming the game.
She shared more about her life, mentioning her ongoing preparation for competitive exams. As she advanced in the game, she faced a question worth Rs 40,000: “Which of these places has GI tags for Paan, tabla, and shehnai?” She correctly chose Option D) Banaras. This led Amitabh Bachchan to reminisce about shooting the song Khaike Paan Banaras Wala from Don.
The host revealed a lesser-known fact about the song. He shared that it wasn’t originally part of the film. The movie’s director, Chandra Barot, had been an assistant to Manoj Kumar, and when he showed the film to the veteran actor, Manoj Kumar suggested adding a song in the second half. After discussing ideas, they decided on a song centered around paan, as the fake Don character was shown chewing it.
Amitabh then recalled the exhausting shoot. He shared that filming the song took nearly three to four days. He added, “Khaike Paan Banaras Waala, naach naach ke haal bura kar diya tha humara.” He humorously mentioned that the combination of chuna and katha in the paan left his mouth feeling raw.
He also spoke about the rigorous rehearsals for the dance sequence. He confessed, “Aur bahot kuch haal hua tha kharab humara lekin kya bataye, humko naachna aata nahi hai. Humko itna rehearsals karwaya, itna daanta, phatkara tab jaake joh aapne dekha hai parde par chora mota hogaya hai.” Looking back, he laughed at the struggle but acknowledged the effort it took to perfect the scene.
Karishma continued her game with renewed confidence, inspired by Big B’s anecdotes and encouragement. The episode captured not just the thrill of the game but also heartfelt personal stories and unforgettable cinematic memories.