Amitabh Bachchan was visibly moved during a recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 when contestant Subhoto Bhattacharya recounted how he and his mother stood outside the actor's Mumbai residence, Jalsa, for five hours just to catch a glimpse of the Bollywood legend. The emotional moment underscored the enduring bond between Bachchan and his devoted fan base across India.

The Story Behind the Wait

Bhattacharya told Bachchan that he had visited Mumbai for the first time in 2024, accompanied by his mother. The trip included sightseeing at the Gateway of India and watching an IPL match, but his mother had one unfulfilled wish — to see Bachchan in person.

Aware of the actor's long-standing tradition of greeting fans outside Jalsa every Sunday at 5 pm, Bhattacharya and his mother arrived at the residence as early as 12 noon. They waited for a full five hours as a growing wave of fans gathered around them.

In his own words on the show, Bhattacharya said: 'Hum 12 baje se leke 5 baje tak aapke Jalsa ke bahar the… aur jab 5 baje aapka darshan hua, woh main kabhi nahi bhool sakunga sir.' (We were outside Jalsa from 12 noon until 5 p.m., and when I finally got your darshan at 5 p.m., it is something I will never forget, sir.)

Bachchan's Warm Response

The account left Amitabh Bachchan visibly touched. With characteristic warmth and a touch of humour, the actor responded: 'Agar humko pehle pata hota ki aap aane wale hain, toh hum phatak khol dete aur aapko andar...' (Had I known you were coming, I would have opened the gate and welcomed you inside.)

He then turned to Bhattacharya's mother and added warmly: 'Mata ji, agli baar aisa hi kijiyega. Humko pehle bata dijiyega ki aap aane wali hain.' (Mother, please do the same next time — just let me know in advance that you are coming.)

The Jalsa Sunday Tradition

The Sunday fan-gathering outside Jalsa is one of Indian cinema's most celebrated grassroots rituals. Bachchan has previously noted that the tradition dates back to 1982, when fans first began assembling outside his home every Sunday hoping for a moment with the megastar. Decades later, the practice continues to draw hundreds of admirers every week, a testament to a fandom that spans multiple generations.

KBC 18 Continues to Draw Personal Stories

Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 has regularly featured contestants whose personal narratives resonate far beyond the prize money on offer. Bhattacharya's account of his mother's wish — and the five-hour vigil to fulfil it — became one of the more memorable moments of the current season, capturing the kind of human-interest story that keeps the show relevant across age groups. The episode is a reminder of how deeply Bachchan remains embedded in everyday Indian life, more than four decades after the Sunday tradition began.