Amitabh Bachchan's 24-hour KBC shift at 83: 'Missing it meant job replacement'
Synopsis
At 83, Amitabh Bachchan worked a straight 24-hour shift for KBC Season 18 — then blogged about it. His quip that missing the schedule would have meant 'a job replacement' is vintage Bachchan: self-deprecating on the surface, iron-willed underneath. With the premiere date now announced, Season 18 is clearly in the home stretch.
Key Takeaways
Amitabh Bachchan , aged 83 , completed a 24-hour non-stop work shift for KBC Season 18 , working from 7 am to 7 am .
He revealed the marathon session on his personal blog on 6 August , saying missing it would have meant 'a job replacement.' The session was prompted by the formal announcement of KBC Season 18's first broadcast date.
Bachchan has hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati since 2000 , with the sole exception of Season 3 , hosted by Shah Rukh Khan .
He has previously disclosed he functions with approximately 25% of his liver following hepatitis contracted during treatment after the 1982 Coolie accident.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has revealed that he powered through a gruelling 24-hour non-stop work shift for the upcoming 18th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), quipping on his blog that skipping it would have meant 'a job replacement' for him. The disclosure, made on 6 August, offers a rare glimpse into the relentless work ethic of the 83-year-old actor, who has anchored the iconic quiz show almost continuously since its debut in 2000.
The 24-Hour Grind
Writing on his personal blog — a daily ritual he has maintained for years — Bachchan described working without a break from 7 am on Day 1 straight through to 7 am on Day 2. In his own words: 'Aaaahhhh... got hold of time in time... finished work at 7 am this morning... of work that began at 7 am yesterday... but the importance of its presentation and its timely work was necessary... so DID IT...'
He added that reconnecting with his blog after wrapping up was itself a source of relief, signing off with a note about grabbing food and rest before another early call on 6 August.
Why He Could Not Afford to Miss It
The trigger for the marathon session, Bachchan explained, was the formal announcement of KBC Season 18's first broadcast date. With the premiere now locked in, he said the stakes were too high to allow any delay. 'The first Broadcast Date for KBC is announced... and missing that would mean a job replacement for me. So off to do what needs to be done,' he wrote.
The self-deprecating humour barely conceals the seriousness with which he treats every professional commitment — a trait that has defined his career across more than five decades.
A Legacy Built on Professionalism
Bachchan has hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati since its Indian premiere in 2000, with the sole exception of Season 3, which was hosted by Shah Rukh Khan. Now in its 18th edition, the show remains one of Indian television's most-watched properties, and Bachchan's association with it is widely regarded as central to its identity.
This comes amid a broader pattern of the actor defying age and health adversity. He survived a near-fatal accident on the sets of Coolie in 1982, has undergone multiple surgeries over the years, and has previously disclosed that he functions with roughly 25 percent of his liver — a consequence of hepatitis contracted through contaminated blood transfusions during his treatment.
August: A Month of Significance
The timing of this revelation carries personal weight. 2 August marks the anniversary of the day doctors reportedly revived Bachchan after he was declared clinically dead following the Coolie accident — making early August a period of deep significance in the megastar's life.
With KBC Season 18 on the horizon, Bachchan's 24-hour shift signals that the show's new season is deep in production, and that its host — at 83 — is showing no signs of stepping back.
Point of View
Carefully tended through his own blog for over a decade. The 24-hour shift detail, disclosed in his characteristically self-deprecating style, does double duty: it humanises him and simultaneously reinforces his legend. What mainstream coverage misses is that Bachchan's blog is itself a media strategy — a direct-to-audience channel that bypasses publicists and keeps him perpetually in the news cycle between projects. With KBC Season 18's premiere date now set, the timing of this disclosure is unlikely to be accidental.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Amitabh Bachchan work a 24-hour shift for KBC?
Amitabh Bachchan worked a 24-hour non-stop shift — from 7 am to 7 am — for KBC Season 18 because the show's first broadcast date had been formally announced, making timely completion of the work essential. He wrote on his blog that missing the schedule would have meant a 'job replacement' for him.
Which season of Kaun Banega Crorepati is coming up?
Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 is the upcoming edition, with its first broadcast date recently announced. Amitabh Bachchan continues as host, a role he has held since the show's Indian debut in 2000.
Has anyone else ever hosted KBC besides Amitabh Bachchan?
Yes. Shah Rukh Khan hosted Season 3 of Kaun Banega Crorepati, the only edition not anchored by Bachchan. Every other season has featured Bachchan as host.
What health challenges has Amitabh Bachchan faced over the years?
Bachchan survived a near-fatal accident on the sets of Coolie in 1982, has undergone multiple surgeries, and has disclosed that he functions with approximately 25 percent of his liver — a result of hepatitis contracted through contaminated blood transfusions during his treatment.
What is the significance of August for Amitabh Bachchan?
2 August marks the anniversary of the day doctors reportedly revived Bachchan after he was declared clinically dead following the Coolie accident in 1982, making early August a period of deep personal significance for the actor.
