One of India’s most iconic television game shows, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), returned to screens this Monday for its landmark 17th season, captivating audiences across television and OTT platforms.
Hosted once again by the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, the show marked a special milestone — 25 years since its debut in 2000 — and, true to its legacy, it arrived with fresh twists, bigger rewards, and a reimagined format to keep pace with the evolving entertainment landscape.
Sony Entertainment Television revealed that the opening episode drew massive viewership, with millions tuning in live and streaming the show on SonyLIV within hours of its release.
Social media was abuzz with reactions, nostalgia, and praise for the new upgrades, making the season premiere trend nationally on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
A Tougher Road to the Hot Seat
While fastest-fingers-first has always been the gateway to the hot seat, Season 17 introduces a new competitive segment — ‘Jaldi 5’.
Now, the top two contestants from the fastest-fingers-first round must battle each other in a quick-fire challenge, answering five consecutive questions correctly to claim their spot opposite Bachchan.
The format injects a burst of adrenaline into the early moments of the episode, and viewers have described it as “tense and thrilling” in online discussions.
Revamped Money Ladder with Bigger Wins
Once on the hot seat, contestants will notice significant changes to the money tree. The starting prize has jumped from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, and the first ‘padav’ (guaranteed checkpoint) now sits at ₹25,000 instead of ₹10,000.
But here’s the real kicker: since the contestant has already cleared five questions during Jaldi 5, their first hot seat question is worth a whopping ₹50,000.
The stakes climb faster, too — the second checkpoint has risen from ₹3,20,000 to ₹5,00,000. Just five more correct answers can take a contestant to the ₹1 crore mark, with the final jackpot question offering an all-time high of ₹7 crore.
New Lifeline, Old Favourites Tweaked
This season also sees the debut of a brand-new lifeline — ‘Sanket Suchak’ (Hint-Giver). On using this option, the show’s “Computer-ji” will offer a valuable hint to help crack the question.
The much-loved ‘Phone-a-Friend’ lifeline has been retired for now, leaving players to choose between 50:50, Audience Poll, and Sanket Suchak to navigate tricky questions.
Special Guests and Tribute Episodes
The season opened with an emotional tribute segment featuring Col Sofiya Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, and Commander Prerna Deosthalee, who joined Bachchan on the hot seat.
The three officers had played critical roles in national defence during the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack earlier this year.
Their appearance was met with a standing ovation from the audience, reinforcing KBC’s tradition of honouring real-life heroes.
Sony has also announced a special Maha Utsav episode scheduled for August 15 at 9 PM to celebrate Independence Day, promising patriotic themes, celebrity guests, and a festive set design.
With its fresh energy, enhanced prize structure, and a loyal fan base that spans generations, KBC 17 has already cemented itself as one of the most talked-about entertainment events of the year.
The combination of Amitabh Bachchan’s magnetic presence, nail-biting competition, and viewer engagement proves that even after 25 years, the magic of KBC shows no signs of fading.
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