Kaun Banega Crorepati 16: From Neeraj Saxena quitting the game to give others a chance to Shreem Sharma’s 97 days fast to be on the show; Times when contestants made headlines

Kaun Banega Crorepati 16 has not only entertained audiences with its challenging questions and captivating gameplay but also showcased some truly heartwarming and inspiring moments from its contestants. From Dr. Neeraj Saxena’s remarkable decision to quit the game midway to give younger participants a fair shot, to Shreem Sharma’s incredible dedication of fasting for 96 days to secure his place on the iconic hot seat, this season has been filled with stories that resonate deeply with viewers. Here’s a look at times when contestants made headline:-

One of the episodes of KBC 16 featured Shreem Sharma, a dedicated contestant from Moga, Punjab. As an astrologer by profession, Shreem was driven by his mission to fulfill his mother’s dream of seeing him on the KBC hot seat. Motivated by her love for the show, he made a significant commitment, fasting for 97 days to secure his place. His belief in making sacrifices for great rewards highlighted his deep devotion. In a touching moment, host Amitabh Bachchan offered Shreem his favorite dessert, rasmalai, to break his fast, creating a memorable experience on the show.

During Kaun Banega Crorepati 16, contestant Dr. Neeraj Saxena from Kolkata made a remarkable decision to quit the game midway, allowing younger contestants the opportunity to participate. After the departure of another contestant, host Amitabh Bachchan welcomed Dr. Neeraj to the hot seat, where he humbly asked to quit, expressing his desire for others to have a chance, saying, “What I have gained is enough.” This unprecedented gesture marked the first time in the season that a contestant voluntarily stepped down for the benefit of others. Amitabh praised Dr. Neeraj for his selflessness, noting, “We have never seen such an example before… This is your greatness and big heart, and we have learned a lot from you.”

In one of the episodes of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16, Nareshi Meena from Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, expressed deep gratitude to host Amitabh Bachchan for aiding her medical expenses. A supervisor at the Women Empowerment Department, Nareshi, who battled a life-altering illness, won INR 50 lakh on the show to fund her proton therapy treatment. Despite her struggles, she displayed extraordinary courage and positivity throughout the game, drawing inspiration from her farmer parents. Moved by her story, Amitabh Bachchan praised her resilience and pledged to assist her further, highlighting the life-changing impact of KBC. Nareshi’s father also shared his pride, recalling how her success led him to take his first airplane ride.

In an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16, contestant Ritika Kumari, a healthcare journalist from New Delhi, introduced host Amitabh Bachchan to modern Gen-Z dating terms like “breadcrumbing,” “ghosting,” and “benching.” As Ritika explained these terms, Big B humorously struggled to understand them, leading to hilarious moments. For instance, upon hearing “breadcrumbing,” he joked, asking if it meant eating bread. Ritika explained that breadcrumbing refers to giving someone hints without committing to a relationship, leaving Mr. Bachchan astonished. The conversation had the audience in splits as Ritika further clarified other dating terms, while Bachchan playfully acknowledged how out-of-touch he was with modern dating lingo.

In the 16th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, contestant Prashant Pramod Jamdade from Sangli, Maharashtra, shares his emotional journey. Prashant, who has had limited mobility due to a surgical complication, hopes to use any prize money he wins to seek proper medical treatment. Moved by his story, Amitabh promises to help by connecting Prashant with hospitals in Mumbai for specialized care. Prashant also wishes to buy a hearing aid for his father, demonstrating his selflessness. In response, Amitabh offers heartfelt encouragement and support, further cementing the show’s emotional connection with its audience.

In an episode, Apoorva mentioned that she had been watching KBC since her childhood and had even answered the Rs 5 crore question of former KBC winner Sushil Kumar when she was in 7th or 8th grade. She revealed that her father had predicted she would be on the show one day. This revelation surprised Big B, who praised her, stating that it had indeed been a very tough question. In a sweet gesture, Big B made a surprise call to Apoorva’s father.

In the latest season of the popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, 22-year-old Chander Prakash, a UPSC aspirant from Jammu & Kashmir, made history as the season’s first crorepati. While he successfully won Rs 1 crore, he was unable to answer the jackpot question presented by Bachchan.

A contestant’s father shared a nostalgic story from 38 years ago about nearly meeting Amitabh Bachchan in Allahabad. Back then, they had stopped just 1 kilometre from his building. Now, as he watched his child on stage, that unfinished journey came full circle—he finally completed that 1 kilometre on the set of KBC, sharing a moment with the legend he had once almost met.