Amitabh Bachchan recalls singing with Sunidhi Chauhan at Wembley before 90,000
Synopsis
Amitabh Bachchan's KBC revelation is a rare window into Sunidhi Chauhan's origins — a child prodigy discovered in a late-night music session at Kalyanji-Anandji's room, who then silenced 90,000 people at Wembley. Big B's self-deprecating 'broken bamboo' quip only makes the story more memorable.
Key Takeaways
Amitabh Bachchan shared the anecdote on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati on 24 August .
He first heard Sunidhi Chauhan sing as a child at the music room of composer duo Kalyanji-Anandji , often late into the night.
Both artists performed together at Wembley Stadium, London , before an audience of approximately 80,000 to 90,000 people .
Bachchan jokingly described his own voice as sounding like a 'broken bamboo' and expressed reluctance to perform alongside the young prodigy.
The duo underwent regular rehearsals arranged by Kalyanji and Anandji before the Wembley event.
Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan revisited a cherished chapter of his career on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati, recounting how he first encountered a young Sunidhi Chauhan as a child prodigy and later shared the stage with her at London's Wembley Stadium before a crowd of nearly 80,000 to 90,000 people. The candid revelation offered a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of Hindi cinema's most enduring musical friendships.
The Music Room Where It All Began
Bachchan recalled first hearing Chauhan sing as a young girl at the private music room of veteran composer duo Kalyanji-Anandji, where he would frequently spend time late into the night. In his own words, he described the experience: 'Kalyanji-Anandji bhai, jo prasiddh music directors the, unke music room mein hum log baithte the kai baar raat-beraat aur inka gaana sunte the. Itni si thi yeh, itna sundar inka gala tha.'
Translated, the megastar said: 'We used to sit in the music room of the famous music director duo Kalyanji-Anandji, sometimes late into the night, and listen to her sing. She was so tiny, but she had such a beautiful voice.' The composer duo, celebrated pillars of Hindi film music, effectively served as the bridge connecting the two artists.
The Wembley Performance That Left 90,000 Speechless
Bachchan went on to describe how Kalyanji and Anandji personally invited both him and the young Chauhan to participate in what was reportedly a landmark format shift — an overseas show where artists would perform live rather than lip-sync. He recalled being told: 'Kalyanji bhai aur Anandji bhai ne bola ki yeh bhi jayengi aur aap bhi gaayenge.' ('Kalyanji bhai and Anandji bhai said that she would go too, and that I would also sing.')
The event took place at Wembley Stadium, London, drawing an audience of approximately 80,000 to 90,000 people. Chauhan's performance, by Bachchan's account, left the massive crowd stunned. He said: 'Aur yeh jab inhone gaana shuru kiya toh jo taaliyan padi hain aur jo inka samman hua hai, hum bata nahi sakte hain. Woh samajh nahi pa rahe the ki itni chhoti si bachhi jo hai, aise kaise ga sakti hai.' ('When she started singing, the applause and the honour she received cannot be described. People simply couldn't understand how such a tiny little girl could sing like that.')
Big B's Self-Deprecating Humour
True to his public persona, Bachchan did not miss the opportunity to poke fun at himself. He jokingly recalled his initial reluctance to perform alongside the gifted child singer, saying: 'Humne kaha, yaar dekho, hamara phate baans wali ek awaaz hai, kahan tum log humko le jaoge, public rahegi nahi.' ('I said, look, my voice sounds like a broken bamboo — where are you taking me? The audience won't stay!')
He added that despite his misgivings, the duo underwent regular rehearsals together, with Bachchan practising and singing alongside Chauhan in the lead-up to the Wembley event.
Sunidhi Chauhan's Journey from Child Prodigy to Playback Legend
Chauhan, who went on to become one of the most celebrated playback singers in Indian cinema, was widely regarded as a child prodigy long before her mainstream breakthrough. Her association with the Kalyanji-Anandji camp gave her early exposure to India's top film industry talent. Notably, Bachchan's recollection underscores how informal mentorship networks within the Hindi film industry have historically shaped some of its most iconic voices.
The anecdote, shared on one of Indian television's longest-running game shows, is expected to resonate strongly with fans of both the actor and the singer, many of whom may be hearing this backstory for the first time.
Point of View
Decades before 'soft power' became a policy talking point. That a child singer could hold 90,000 people at Wembley is a data point the Indian music industry rarely foregrounds when tracing its international footprint. What the story also quietly reveals is the access economy of Bollywood: careers were shaped in late-night music rooms, not audition halls. That ecosystem is largely gone, and its passing deserves more scrutiny than it gets.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Amitabh Bachchan reveal about Sunidhi Chauhan on KBC?
Amitabh Bachchan revealed on Kaun Banega Crorepati that he first heard Sunidhi Chauhan sing as a young child at the music room of legendary composer duo Kalyanji-Anandji, and later performed alongside her at Wembley Stadium in London before a crowd of 80,000 to 90,000 people. He described her childhood voice as extraordinarily beautiful even at that young age.
Where did Amitabh Bachchan and Sunidhi Chauhan perform together?
The two performed together at Wembley Stadium in London, as part of an overseas show organised by the Kalyanji-Anandji camp. The event drew an audience of approximately 80,000 to 90,000 people, and Chauhan's performance reportedly left the crowd stunned.
Who introduced Amitabh Bachchan to Sunidhi Chauhan?
Veteran composer duo Kalyanji-Anandji served as the connection between the two artists. Bachchan would regularly visit their music room late at night, where he first heard the young Chauhan sing. It was also Kalyanji and Anandji who arranged for both to perform together at the Wembley show.
What did Amitabh Bachchan say about his own singing at Wembley?
Bachchan jokingly described his own voice as sounding like a 'broken bamboo' and admitted he was reluctant to perform live alongside the gifted young Chauhan, fearing the audience would not stay. Despite his reservations, he went on to rehearse and perform alongside her at Wembley.
When did Amitabh Bachchan share this story about Sunidhi Chauhan?
Bachchan shared the anecdote on 24 August on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati, the long-running quiz show he hosts. The story surfaced during what appeared to be a candid conversation about Sunidhi Chauhan's early career.
