The latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16 continued with young contestant Vaishnavi Krishnadasi from Pune, Maharashtra. The 10-year-old had already secured Rs 80,00,000 in the previous episode. As Amitabh Bachchan resumed the game, he presented her with the Rs 1,60,000 question.
Before diving into the game further, Big B shared a few photographs of Vaishnavi in various costumes from past fancy dress competitions. Curious about her interests, he asked if she liked acting. She excitedly responded that she loved it and named Deepika Padukone as her favorite actress. Hearing this, Amitabh Bachchan remarked that she was a favorite for many. To everyone’s delight, Vaishnavi then enacted Deepika’s famous dialogue from Om Shanti Om, earning a standing ovation from the host.
She confidently proceeded to play ‘Super Sandook’ and answered eight questions correctly, securing Rs 80,000. She wisely chose to revive her ‘Audience Poll’ lifeline. During a break, Big B noticed her shoelace was untied and pointed it out. As he offered to tie it for her, she quickly did it herself. Amused by his concern, she then untied it again and playfully asked him to do it. The megastar, with a warm smile, bent down and tied her shoelaces.
The next question, worth Rs 25,00,000, was about a national park in Arunachal Pradesh sharing its name with a nearby peak. Unsure of the answer, Vaishnavi decided to quit. Before leaving, she guessed Option D) Intanki, which turned out to be incorrect. The right answer was Option A) Mouling.
She walked away with Rs 12,50,000, leaving the stage with joy and gratitude.
The episode then introduced a new contestant, M Sidhanth Reddy, a class 7 student from Gujarat. As soon as he was selected, he performed a Shashtang Pranaam on the stage. His mother, overwhelmed with emotion, teared up. Seeing this, Amitabh Bachchan offered her tissues and water, mentioning that he had never seen a junior KBC contestant show such deep respect before. The young contestant humbly said he felt as though he was standing before a divine figure. Big B comforted him and appreciated his achievement of reaching the hot seat.
During their chat, Sidhanth shared a funny story about his pet dog, Ceaser, calling him his ‘frenemy.’ Hearing this, Big B remarked that dogs were truly a man’s best friend. Sidhanth then noticed a large dog illustration on the host’s jacket and complimented it. In response, the host promised to give him the jacket after the show, bringing a wide smile to the contestant’s face. Amitabh Bachchan jokingly added that he could dress Ceaser in it.
Sidhanth revealed his dream of becoming the world’s best cardiologist. He explained that his father had suffered from severe heart conditions, undergoing five surgeries. Unfortunately, despite medical interventions, his condition kept worsening every six months, ultimately leading to his passing. Sidhanth expressed his deep desire to find a permanent cure for heart disease so that no one else would endure what his family had gone through. His words moved everyone, including the host.
His mother spoke about her late husband’s struggles. He worked as a pharmaceutical consultant and had been battling heart disease for six years. Even after his last surgery in 2023, he seemed to have recovered. Three months later, he received an overseas job offer and accepted it, believing he was healthy. However, after joining on the 23rd, tragedy struck six days later, and he passed away on the 29th. She recalled feeling shattered by the loss. She also shared how Sidhanth had been exposed to hospitals and temples from a young age due to his father’s frequent treatments. Despite the hardships, she knew he would give his best in whatever he pursued.
Sidhanth also talked about his passion for writing and mythology. He had written and illustrated a 20-page book titled The Lord’s Beauty Spot.
He then participated in ‘Super Sandook’ and successfully answered eight questions, earning Rs 80,000. He chose to revive his ‘Audience Poll’ lifeline. When Amitabh Bachchan asked how he planned to use Rs 3,20,000 after turning 18, his response deeply touched everyone. He shared that after his father’s passing in September 2024, bank officials frequently visited their home, demanding loan repayments. This caused his mother great stress. He intended to use his winnings to clear the outstanding debts and support his education.
As the game progressed, Big B presented the Rs 50,00,000 question: In which country is the football club SV Jai Hanuman located? Uncertain about the answer, Sidhanth chose to quit. Before leaving, he made a guess and selected Option C) Suriname. To his surprise, it was the correct answer.
Despite quitting, Sidhanth took home Rs 25,00,000. His journey on the show left a lasting impact on the audience, showcasing his resilience, ambition, and deep love for his family.