On 19 August, the famous television quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, returned for its eleventh season. However, it’s latest episode doesn’t seem to have gone well with certain viewers who took to social media to call out certain sexist remarks passed by the host.
Apparently, Bachchan cracked a joke implying that women are gold-diggers. One user wrote, “Sexist Bachhan sir making jokes on girls being gold diggers no sir plis don't do this.”
Another user narrated the entire incident in detail. According to the user, Bachchan cracked a “sexist and misogynistic joke.”
He wrote, “For those who haven't seen today's episode, there was this contestant who has never had a girl in his life. He goes onto win Rs 1 crore through his brilliant all-around knowledge. Reacting to this, Big B said, "Now girls will get attracted to you saying, 'Karodpati ji, main aapki KarodPATNI banna chahti hoon.' (Mr Crorepati, I’d like to be your crore-patni)“
He also said that, “This translates to - "Girls are gold diggers." It is difficult to ignore this as just one off incident because the actor-cum-host shares at least one wife related misogynistic joke in every episode. This is IRONIC coming from someone who promotes women empowerment through films like PINK and blog and social media posts.”
However, according to social media, this isn’t the first time an incident like this has occurred. Many have previously also pointed out similar behavior displayed by the quiz show host.
One user mentioned that Amitabh Bachchan once cracked a joke about how women are frightened of spiders on KBC.
Another called the show “study in benevolent patriarchy.” Further adding that Amitabh Bachchan’s jokes contribute to the existing gender stereotypes in society.
“Sexist comment frm Amitabh, to a lady contestant: "Aap ke haath mein belan hota hai to Defence ministry bhi aap ke pass hui!” wrote a user in 2014.
Recently, Sanoj Raj from Bihar's Jehanabad district became the first contestant of Kaun Banega Crorepati season 11 to win Rs 1 crore. Even though he failed to get the right answer of the jackpot question worth Rs 7 crore.
However, Sanoj stumbled at the jackpot hurdle, that posed this question: "Who was the Indian bowler off whom Australian legend Don Bradman got a single to reach his 100th first class century?"
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