A young fifth-grade student from Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Ishit Bhatt, found himself at the center of a social media storm after his appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, hosted by the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. Ishit faced intense online criticism for what many perceived as assertive behavior during the show. In a powerful move, Indian cricketer Varun Chakaravarthy, fresh off leading India to victory in the 2025 Asia Cup, took to platform X (formerly Twitter) to fiercely defend the minor, condemning the torrent of online abuse. An image circulating online, captioned ‘Varun Chakaravarthy and Viral KBC kid (X),’ encapsulates this poignant moment.
The controversy erupted as viral clips from the popular quiz show highlighted Ishit’s direct interactions with Bachchan during the question-and-answer rounds. Throughout his segment, Ishit exhibited a bold and confident demeanor, which some viewers interpreted as being overly assertive towards the show’s format and its esteemed host.
One viral moment captured Ishit telling Bachchan, ‘Mere ko rules pata hai isliye aap mereko abhi rules samjhane mat baithna,’ roughly translating to ‘I know the rules, so don’t start explaining them to me now,’ clearly conveying his familiarity with the game mechanics. He maintained this assertive style, often making direct requests about how the game should proceed. At one point, impatiently waiting for the choices, he was heard saying, ‘Arre option daalo’ (Hey, put up the options). Later, when confirming an answer, Ishit confidently declared, ‘Sir ek kya uss mein chaar lock lagado, lekin lock karo,’ which means, ‘Sir, don’t just lock one; lock all four, but please lock it.’
Ultimately, Ishit’s journey on KBC Junior concluded without any prize money when he provided an incorrect answer to a question on the Valmiki Ramayana. Asked to identify its first ‘kanda’ (section), he mistakenly chose Ayodhya Kanda over the correct answer, Bala Kanda.
Amitabh Bachchan, with his characteristic grace, commented on the situation during the episode, observing, ‘Kabhi kabhi bachhe over confidence mein galti kar dete hai’ (Sometimes children make mistakes due to overconfidence). The entire episode ignited a fervent discussion across social media platforms. While many condemned the child’s behavior, others used it as an opportunity to debate parenting styles and the immense pressure placed on young contestants in the glare of reality television.
It was then that Varun Chakaravarthy, pictured in a viral post online, powerfully intervened on X. He wrote, ‘Example of how social media has become a place for cowards running their mouths without any sense! He is a kid, for God’s sake!! Let him grow!! If u can’t tolerate a kid, imagine the society still tolerating many nut cases like the ones commenting on this kid and much more!!!!!!’
This incident has ignited a crucial, broader discussion about the destructive nature of social media criticism, especially when it targets children appearing on national television. It starkly underscores the unique challenges and intense public scrutiny that young participants on reality TV shows are forced to endure. Amidst the uproar, many social media users lauded Amitabh Bachchan for his calm and empathetic handling of the situation during the show’s recording. This story serves as a reminder of the need for empathy and responsibility in online interactions, particularly when young individuals are involved.