Kaun Banega Crorepati season 18 is set to spotlight four Commonwealth Games 2026 medallists in an upcoming episode, bringing Lovlina Borgohain, Asmita Dey, Jhandu Kumar, and Sharmila Dhankar onto the iconic Hotseat alongside host Amitabh Bachchan. The episode, billed as a celebration of national pride, gives India's newest sporting heroes a rare moment in the mainstream entertainment spotlight.

Who Is Appearing on the Hotseat

Lovlina Borgohain secured a silver medal in the 75 kg boxing category at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Jhandu Kumar made history by winning India's first medal at the same Games in men's heavyweight para powerlifting. Asmita Dey represents Indian Judo on the global stage, while Sharmila Dhankar competes as a para-athlete, having overcome both physical and societal challenges to reach the Commonwealth podium.

What the Athletes Said

Sharmila Dhankar reflected on years of quiet perseverance: 'As a para-athlete, you spend years training far away from the spotlight, quietly overcoming physical and societal hurdles that very few people ever witness. Being invited to KBC feels like a national celebration of those invisible struggles.' She added that speaking with Bachchan 'felt so deeply encouraging — he has a way of making you realize that no struggle is ever wasted.'

Asmita Dey recalled watching the show as a childhood ritual: 'Growing up, watching KBC with my family every evening was a ritual. I would often stare at the screen and wonder what it felt like to be in the same room as Amitabh Bachchan sir, and today, standing right next to him on this stage feels completely surreal.' She described the appearance as 'a proud moment for Indian Judo.'

Lovlina Borgohain drew a sharp contrast between the boxing ring and the Hotseat: 'I honestly thought nothing in the world could match the adrenaline and pressure of stepping into an Olympic boxing ring, until I sat on the KBC Hotseat across from Mr. Amitabh Bachchan sir. In the ring, you rely on muscle memory and instincts, but sitting opposite him, it tests your mental sharpness in a completely different way.'

Jhandu Kumar connected his powerlifting journey to the significance of the platform: 'When you train as a para-powerlifter, you learn to lift weights that feel impossible until you break through them. But I never imagined my journey in sports would lift me all the way to the stage of Kaun Banega Crorepati.'

Why This Episode Stands Out

The appearance of para-athletes alongside mainstream sporting figures on primetime television is notable. Shows like KBC command some of the largest non-cricket audiences in India, and episodes featuring athletes — particularly from disciplines outside cricket — have historically driven significant social media engagement and public awareness. Jhandu Kumar's historic first medal in para powerlifting at the Glasgow 2026 Games, in particular, had received limited mainstream coverage before this appearance.

Where to Watch

Kaun Banega Crorepati season 18 airs on Sony Entertainment Television and streams on Sony LIV. The episode featuring the Commonwealth Games 2026 medallists is part of the show's ongoing 'Shandaar Shukravaar' or special guest format.