Amitabh Bachchan recalls first meeting Anup Jalota 40 years ago on KBC
Synopsis
On the sets of KBC, Amitabh Bachchan revisited a 40-year-old memory — hearing Anup Jalota sing at midnight on a rooftop in the small town of Banda. The unscripted moment, marked by Big B's warmth and Jalota's signature humility, offered a rare window into the personal histories that bind two of India's most enduring artistic figures.
Key Takeaways
Amitabh Bachchan and Anup Jalota shared a nostalgic exchange on the sets of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' .
Big B recalled first hearing Jalota sing at midnight on a rooftop in Banda , over 40 years ago, at the home of a family member named Rajan ji .
Anup Jalota , known as the 'Bhajan Samrat' , is celebrated for bhajans including 'Aisi Lagi Lagan' and 'Jag Mein Sundar Hain Do Naam' .
Jalota credited Bachchan for his rise, responding with characteristic humility during the exchange.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan and celebrated devotional singer Anup Jalota shared a warm, nostalgia-filled moment on the sets of the popular quiz show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', revisiting an encounter that dates back more than four decades. The exchange offered viewers a rare personal glimpse into the enduring bond between two titans of Indian entertainment.
The Midnight Memory from Banda
Recounting how he first heard Jalota perform, Amitabh Bachchan recalled a visit to Banda, a small town, where he chanced upon the singer's voice late at night. 'Sabse pehle humne inko suna tha ek chota sa shehar hai jiska naam hai Banda... Banda mein hamare jo rishtedaar the unke chhat pe raat ko, madhraat ko aapko suna tha humne, Rajan ji ke parivaar mein..' he said, which translates to: 'The first time we heard him was in a small town called Banda. We heard you at midnight on the terrace of our relatives' home in Banda, at the home of Rajan ji's family.'
The anecdote paints a vivid picture — a young Amitabh Bachchan, far from the arc lights of Bollywood, listening to devotional music drift across a rooftop at midnight in a quiet town in Uttar Pradesh.
Big B Marks 40 Years of Jalota's Rise
Reflecting on the passage of time, Bachchan added, 'Chalis varsh ho gaye is baat ko... aur uske baad toh aap na jaane kahan pahunch gaye hain..' — acknowledging that 40 years had passed since that night and marvelling at the heights Anup Jalota had since scaled in his career.
The remark was characteristically generous — a superstar acknowledging the journey of a fellow artist with sincerity rather than ceremony.
Anup Jalota's Gracious Response
Anup Jalota responded with characteristic humility, saying, 'Aap hi ne pahuncha diya... aur hum log wahin ke wahin baithe hain abhi bhi..' — crediting Bachchan himself for elevating him, while modestly suggesting he himself had not moved far from where he began.
The exchange drew appreciation for its authenticity, standing apart from the more scripted interactions typical of television formats.
Who Is Anup Jalota?
Widely known as the 'Bhajan Samrat', Anup Jalota is one of India's most revered devotional singers, celebrated for timeless bhajans including 'Aisi Lagi Lagan', 'Jag Mein Sundar Hain Do Naam', and 'Rang De Chunariya'. Over a career spanning several decades, he has also performed ghazals and composed music, earning recognition across generations of listeners.
His appearance on 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' underscores the show's tradition of bringing together luminaries from across Indian arts and culture, using the format as a platform for storytelling as much as competition.
Point of View
Placing them both in an ordinary midnight scene before fame arrived. For Jalota, the appearance is also a cultural restatement — the Bhajan Samrat remains a touchstone for devotional music in an era dominated by film and pop, and that carries weight beyond nostalgia.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Amitabh Bachchan say about Anup Jalota on KBC?
Amitabh Bachchan recalled first hearing Anup Jalota sing at midnight on a rooftop in the small town of Banda, at the home of a family member called Rajan ji. He noted that 40 years had passed since that encounter and praised Jalota's remarkable journey since then.
Who is Anup Jalota and why is he called 'Bhajan Samrat'?
Anup Jalota is one of India's most celebrated devotional singers, honoured with the title 'Bhajan Samrat' for his mastery of bhajans. He is known for iconic compositions such as 'Aisi Lagi Lagan', 'Jag Mein Sundar Hain Do Naam', and 'Rang De Chunariya', and has also performed ghazals and composed music across a career spanning decades.
Where is Banda, the town mentioned by Amitabh Bachchan?
Banda is a small town in Uttar Pradesh, India. Bachchan mentioned it while recounting how he first heard Anup Jalota perform there, at the home of his relatives, late at night on a terrace.
On which show did Amitabh Bachchan and Anup Jalota share this memory?
The exchange took place on 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', the popular quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. The show regularly features celebrity guests, providing a platform for personal storytelling alongside the competition format.
