The popular quiz-based television game show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) is set to complete 25 years on July 3, 2025. Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan has been the face of the show for most of its run, except for the third season in 2007, which was hosted by Shah Rukh Khan. Currently, Bachchan is hosting the 16th season, which premiered on August 12 and has been airing for over seven months on Sony Entertainment Television and streaming on SonyLIV, crossing the 150-episode mark.
According to multiple reports, the ongoing season is likely to be Bachchan’s last as the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati. The 82-year-old actor had already given an emotional farewell in the concluding episode of KBC 15, where he reportedly asked the channel to look for a new host. However, the network was unable to find a suitable replacement, leading to Bachchan continuing for KBC 16. Now, as the season unfolds with the longest runtime in the show’s history, it appears increasingly likely that a new host will take over in the next edition.
In anticipation of this change, the Indian Institute of Human Brands (IIHB) and Rediffusion’s Red Lab conducted a study last week in the Hindi-speaking regions to identify the public’s preferred successor to Bachchan. The survey gathered responses from 768 individuals, including 408 men and 360 women.
The results revealed that Shah Rukh Khan emerged as the top choice, securing 63% of the votes. Unexpectedly, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was the second most popular choice, receiving support from 51% of respondents. Other names that appeared in the rankings included former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni (37%), cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle (32%), and actor Anil Kapoor (15%). Notably, 42% of those surveyed expressed their desire for Bachchan to continue as host, stating, “Amitabh Bachchan should continue till he can.”
Additionally, Aamir Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Shashi Tharoor, and Chetan Bhagat were among the other names suggested by the participants. However, there has been no official announcement confirming whether KBC 16 will be Amitabh Bachchan’s final season. Fans and viewers will have to wait for the season’s final episode to learn whether Bachchan will step down and who might take his place as the next host.
