Sometimes, the best decisions are the impulsive ones, the ones you make without overthinking, over planning, or over-Googling. When the opportunity to be in the audience of Kaun Banega Crorepati landed in my lap, I did not pause to ask, “But who will come with me?” I just said yes. Solo, spontaneous, and slightly overexcited, I was off to see the legend himself, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan.
And let me tell you going alone did not mean being alone. Quite the opposite, in fact.
The Setup: No Chaos, Only Clap-Powered Joy
The experience was flawlessly organised. From the entry formalities to the studio seating, everything ran smoother than a contestant on a hot streak. Phones were politely confiscated (we will get to that in a minute), but instead of feeling disconnected, we plugged into something much bigger with a community of strangers united by shared emotion of pure, giddy excitement. From a set of 65 year old women who started their journey from Pune at 4am to a newly married couple to a group who came from Chhattisgarh to celebrate a milestone birthday! It was hard to believe the enthusiasm and the story exchange I indulged in, helped me dive into their lives!
As I took my seat (guided by my height, camera presence and the color I was wearing) in the glowing blue studio, I looked around and saw faces from all walks of life. A motley of young, old, sarees, sneakers, quiet, loud and yet, everyone had the same spark in their eyes. The eight hours I spent there had the finest learnings that hit me:
Life Lesson #1: A Common Love Unites Diverse Souls
Whether it was love for KBC, admiration for Mr. Bachchan, or just the thrill of being part of something iconic, we were all in it together. Every cheer, every gasp, every “lock kiya jaye?” rippled through the room like electricity. There is a strange, beautiful power in collective joy; it amplifies. One person’s laughter becomes a wave. One clap turns into thunder.
Then, the man himself walked (sorry jogged!) in.
Enter: The Big B (And His Surprisingly Soft Voice)
We rose to our feet. The studio erupted. The energy was palpable. We just could not stop. At least I could not. It took AB sir a lot of coaxing to tell us to sit. And when Mr. Amitabh Bachchan began to speak, it was with a calm, humble tone that instantly grounded us. Here stood one of the biggest superstars this country has ever known and he was cracking jokes, asking us how we were doing, even telling us to hydrate during the breaks. Who does that?
Life Lesson #2: Humility is Stardom’s Brightest Jewel
Despite his towering presence (and yes, he really is that tall), Mr. Bachchan made everyone feel seen. He not just interacted with the contestant, he spoke to us, the audience. He smiled warmly, waved in between shots, and even shared a few stories when the cameras were not rolling. Also, all his conversations were impromptu. None scripted not for the contestant, not for us! It never once felt like he was “above” us. Instead, it felt like we were all just hanging out with our collective father / grandfather albeit one with a voice deeper than the ocean and charisma that could light up a city.
No Phones, No Problem
Now, let us talk about the part that caused a few gasps. Yes, they took our beloved smartphones at the entrance. No selfies, no stories, no tweets. Initially, a few of us experienced mild separation anxiety (some may have tried to sneak one in…not me, of course), but by the end, we were grateful.
Life Lesson #3: Presence > Posts
Without screens, we were there. Fully. Laughing louder, cheering harder, and soaking in every moment without worrying about capturing it. Ironically, the lack of photos gave us something richer. It gave us real, vivid, undiluted memories.
A Few More Nuggets from My Day with KBC
• Kindness is contagious: From the crew members guiding us with patience to strangers offering me snacks during breaks, it was a masterclass in how warmth spreads.
• Dreams don’t expire: Watching the two main contestants- one a child and one a South Indian superstar fight for their moment reminded me that it’s never too late or too early to chase something you love.
• Clapping is cardio: No, seriously!. If you have not clapped enthusiastically for five hours straight, you really do not know the true meaning of forearm fatigue!
Final Thoughts: Truckload of Memories, Zero Megapixels
As I walked out of the studio, I did not have a single picture, but I had a heart full of joy. My phone, when I got it back, had zero new notifications and I realised how dependent we are to things that actually carry no meaning. I realised I had goosebumps. I had just lived a dream I did not even know I had until I jumped into it.
So here is to saying yes without overthinking. Here is to being solo but never lonely. And most of all, here is to the humility of a legend who made us all feel like stars even for just a day.
And to Mr. Bachchan Sir, if you ever read this I want to thank you for the claps, the kindness, and the casual reminder that greatness and gentleness can absolutely go hand in hand.