It is a new week, and a new controversy for one of India’s beloved shows, Kaun Banega Crorepati.
Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) rose to popularity due to its tried-and-tested model of quizzing for a cash reward. Often heralded as a show that helps people improve general knowledge, the show garners the support of a huge family audience.
In the latest episode of KBC Season 16 with guests Varun Dhawan and director duo Raj & DK at the hot seat and part of the promotions for the upcoming web series Citadel: Honey Bunny, this question by host Amitabh Bachchan kickstarted the controversy.
Which actress tragically passed away in a plane crash along with her husband, Maharaja Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur?
The options were:
A. Sulochana
B. Mumtaz
C. Nadira
D. Zubeida
After exhausting two lifelines, Varun Dhawan and Raj & DK picked “Zubeida” as the answer. Bachchan revealed it as the right answer, going into a bit of history. He said that the actress Zubeida acted in India’s first talkie Alam Ara, and her life became the inspiration for the Bollywood movie Zubeidaa, starring Karisma Kapoor, Rekha, and Manoj Bajpayee in the lead roles.
There is only one minor issue. The wife of the Maharaja of Jodhpur and the Aalam Ara actress are two different people! Actress Zubeida, also known for her role in Devdas, lived till her late 70s and was married to the Maharaj Narsingir Dhanrajgir Gyan Bahadur of Hyderabad. And the other Zubeida—whose life inspired the Karishma Kapoor movie—passed away in the plane crash with her husband, Maharaj Hanwant Singh I of Marwar, Jodhpur. The latter’s son, Khalid Mohamed, who is an Indian journalist, editor, film critic, screenwriter, and film director, pointed out the discrepancy.
Mohamed took to the social media platform X, asking, “Whoever calls the shots may I request for a clarification on KBC. Zubeida (Dhanragir) was renowned actress who featured in Alam Ara. Not my maa, Zubeida, did wish to act, wasn’t permitted by her strict father. How could your research team make such a gaffe?”