Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has revealed that 'Aahista Aahista' is among his most cherished compositions by the late ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh, sharing the tribute on the latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18. The candid exchange, aired on 26 August, turned a quiz-show conversation into a heartfelt ode to Indian poetry and music.

How the Conversation Unfolded

The moment was sparked by contestant Anuj Bhatnakar, who told Bachchan that listening to ghazals is how he unwinds after a stressful day at work. Describing himself as a devoted fan of Jagjit Singh, Bhatnakar recited a ghazal on air before turning to the host with a question: which Jagjit Singh composition does Amitabh Bachchan hold closest?

Bachchan's answer was immediate and warm. "Bohot saari ghazal hum sunte rehte hain, kabhi-kabhi sangeet wagairah hota hai. Ek unki hai, 'Aahista Aahista' wali, woh bohot sundar hai. Woh ek mujhe bohot pasand hai," he said — meaning: 'I listen to a lot of ghazals, sometimes when there is music playing and so on. There is one of his, the one called Aahista Aahista, which is very beautiful. I like that one very much.'

Bachchan on His Long Association with Jagjit Singh

Bhatnakar then asked whether Bachchan carried any personal memories of the singer, noting that both the megastar and his father, the celebrated poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, had collaborated with Jagjit Singh over the years. The host's response offered a rare window into the creative kinship between poets and musicians.

"Sir, woh kya hain ki, kai mulaqatein hoti thi, aur jo log creative kaam karte hain… unmein kahin na kahin jaa kar milan hota hai," Bachchan reflected, explaining that creative people — writers and performers alike — inevitably find a point of connection. He recalled how their meetings would dissolve into mutual curiosity: a poet asking a singer why he chose a particular interpretation, and the singer asking why a particular line was written the way it was.

Bachchan elaborated on the philosophy underpinning that bond: "Jo kavita likhi jaati hai na, usmein kahin na kahin ek chhupa hua sur hota hai. Tabhi jaa kar woh kavita banti hai… Aur jo gaayak hote hain, woh iss lay ko pehchaante hain, aur usse pehchaan kar hi woh apna geet gaate hain." In translation: every poem carries a hidden melody within it — that hidden rhythm is what makes it poetry — and great singers are those who can recognise and honour that rhythm.

Who Was Jagjit Singh

Jagjit Singh, who passed away in October 2011, is widely regarded as one of India's most transformative ghazal singers. He brought an accessible yet deeply emotive quality to a genre that had previously remained confined to classical connoisseurs, opening it to millions of ordinary listeners. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards, in recognition of his contribution to music.

Over a career spanning several decades, his best-known compositions and renditions include Hothon Se Chhoo Lo Tum from Prem Geet, Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho and Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar from Arth, Tum Ko Dekha To Yeh Khayal Aaya from Saath Saath, Hoshwalon Ko Khabar Kya from Sarfarosh, Koi Fariyaad from Tum Bin, and Chithi Na Koi Sandesh from Dushman, among many others.

KBC 18 as a Platform for Cultural Memory

The exchange is a reminder of how Kaun Banega Crorepati, now in its 18th season, continues to serve as more than a quiz show — it regularly becomes a space where Bachchan's personal history with Indian art and culture surfaces through unscripted conversation. With Jagjit Singh's legacy remaining deeply alive among listeners across generations, moments like these keep that cultural memory in circulation. The episode is expected to resonate strongly with audiences who grew up on the ghazal tradition.