The popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) hosted by Amitabh Bachchan saw a historic moment yesterday, as it became the day when the show’s makers had to pay the least amount to the winners in a single day.
Contestants Ananya Anand and Santoshgiri Bawa, who played during the episode, walked away with ₹10,000 each, setting a unique record where the total payout was only ₹20,000. Let’s dive into how both contestants ended up with the lowest possible guaranteed sum despite strong starts.
Santoshgiri Bawa’s Game: A High-Stakes Gamble Gone Wrong
Santoshgiri Bawa, a 50-year-old teacher from Nashik, Maharashtra, was having an impressive run on KBC. With two lifelines still available, he had accumulated a substantial amount of ₹1,60,000. Confident in his knowledge, he decided to tackle the ₹3,20,000 question without using his lifelines, thinking he had the right answer.
The ₹3,20,000 question posed to Santoshgiri by Amitabh Bachchan was: “The autobiography of which former Prime Minister of a neighbouring country of India is titled ‘Daughter of the East’?” Santoshgiri chose to go with Sheikh Hasina. However, the correct answer was Benazir Bhutto, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan. His incorrect answer brought his winnings down to the minimum guaranteed amount of ₹10,000, leaving him visibly disappointed as he exited the show.
Ananya Anand’s Journey: A Struggle with Lifelines
Ananya Anand, a 20-year-old B.Tech student from Bangalore, Karnataka, also started strong, securing ₹80,000. However, her attempt at the ₹1,60,000 question proved to be her downfall.
Ananya’s question was: “Which desert lies entirely within the geographical boundary of one country?” Despite having two lifelines, Phone a Friend and Double Dip, she struggled to arrive at the correct answer. Her final answer was incorrect, and the correct answer, Queen Victoria Desert in Australia, remained out of reach. This mistake brought Ananya’s winnings down to ₹10,000, despite her initial progress.
A Historic Low Payout on KBC
With both contestants leaving with only ₹10,000 each, KBC’s makers ended up paying the lowest total amount of ₹20,000 in a single day, setting an unusual record. Although the contestants played confidently, their incorrect answers to crucial questions ultimately led them to take home the guaranteed minimum.
This episode of KBC highlighted the unpredictable nature of the game, where a single question can dramatically change the outcome. The day stands as a reminder that while contestants may begin with strong momentum, taking calculated risks and fully utilizing available lifelines can make all the difference in winning substantial amounts.
