A recent episode of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 16’ featured a significant error that captured the internet’s attention and drew criticism.
During the show, host Amitabh Bachchan and guest Varun Dhawan encountered a question about Zubeida, an actress who tragically died in a plane crash with her husband, Maharaja Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur. The options provided included “Sulochana, Mumtaz, Nadira, and Zubeida.” After confusion and using two lifelines, Dhawan and director DK opted for “Zubeida.”
Bachchan detailed Zubeida’s contributions to cinema, noting her role in the first Indian talkie film ‘Alam Ara,’ and mentioned that her life later inspired the film titled ‘Zubeida,’ starring Karisma Kapoor and Manoj Bajpayee. However, post-show discussions on social media highlighted a mix-up: the Zubeida who was married to Maharaja Hanwant Singh and died in a plane crash was not the actress known for ‘Alam Ara.’
Khalid Mohammed, the son of the Zubeida associated with Maharaja Hanwant Singh, also pointed out this mistake. He expressed his frustration online, seeking clarification from the producers for confusing his mother with the actress Zubeida of ‘Alam Ara.’ He stressed that his mother had never acted, as her father had strict prohibitions against it.
Social media users quickly noted the error, with one X user detailing the distinction between the two women named Zubeida and criticizing the show’s research team for the oversight.
In the same episode, Varun Dhawan shared a personal anecdote about feeling intimidated by Amitabh Bachchan during a childhood visit to his home, adding a lighter moment to the broadcast. Dhawan’s recollection of his nervousness around Bachchan, mitigated by Jaya Bachchan’s reassurances, brought a human touch to the episode. Additionally, Dhawan showcased his dancing skills, which impressed the veteran actor.