Amitabh Bachchan recalls Allahabad milk jalebis and Sangam walks on KBC 18
Synopsis
Amitabh Bachchan's KBC 18 appearance turned into a rare personal confession: that no jalebi in his life has ever matched the milk jalebis he ate as a boy after bathing at the Sangam. For a megastar who rarely opens up about his Allahabad roots, the moment was unexpectedly intimate — and a reminder that behind the icon is a man still chasing a childhood flavour.
Key Takeaways
Amitabh Bachchan recalled his childhood in Allahabad on Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 , sharing memories of morning walks to the Sangam .
He described rubbing riverbank soil on his body, taking a dip, and then eating milk jalebis just beyond the embankment.
Bachchan called the milk jalebis the most delicious he has ever tasted in his life.
The conversation was sparked by contestant Lakshya Kumar Dwivedi , who asked the actor about his favourite food.
Bachchan revealed his everyday food preference is dal-roti , before the discussion turned to Allahabad's famous sweets.
KBC Season 18 airs on Sony Entertainment Television .
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan took a nostalgic trip down memory lane on Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18, recounting his childhood rituals in Allahabad — morning walks to the Sangam, riverbank mud baths, and the unforgettable taste of freshly made milk jalebis. The candid reminiscence offered viewers a rare personal window into the legend's formative years.
The Conversation That Sparked It All
The moment unfolded when contestant Lakshya Kumar Dwivedi asked Bachchan about his favourite cuisine. The actor revealed a preference for the humble comfort of dal-roti before the topic turned to Allahabad's renowned sweet speciality. Dwivedi's mention of the city's famous jalebis was all it took to transport the veteran actor back to his earliest memories.
Bachchan's Own Words on the Sangam Mornings
Speaking on the show, Bachchan described a near-daily childhood routine in vivid detail: 'Bhaisaab, main aapko bata raha hoon ki, pratyek kaal, jahan hum rehte the, wahan se paidal chalte the, aur Sangam jaake wahan nahate the. Aur wahan ki jo mitti hai, usse shareer pe malte the, dubki maar ke bahar nikalte the, aur jo bandh hai, usko paar karte hi wahan par doodh wali jalebi milti thi.' The actor's translation of his own words: 'Back in those days, we used to walk from where we lived all the way to the Sangam to take a bath. We would rub the riverbank soil onto our bodies, plunge into the water, take a dip and come out. As soon as we used to cross the embankment, we would find milk jalebis there.'
He added with evident emotion: 'Arey bhaisaab, itna hum isko miss karte hain ki bata nahi sakte' — roughly, 'we miss it so much that we cannot even express it in words.'
A Sweet Superlative
Bachchan did not stop at nostalgia. He elevated the memory to something close to a life benchmark, telling Dwivedi: 'Usse zyada swadisht jalebi humne aaj tak nahi khayi. Toh aap bohot bhagyashali hain, aap uss parivaar se hain, jinhone yeh meethi jalebi khayi hogi.' ('I have never eaten a jalebi more delicious than that. So, you are very fortunate to come from the family that must have tasted this sweet jalebi.') The remark drew an immediate personal connection between the megastar and the contestant, who hails from the same region.
Why the Moment Resonates
Allahabad — now officially Prayagraj — holds deep cultural and personal significance for Bachchan. The city was the birthplace of his father, the celebrated poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and the family's roots there run several generations deep. Milk jalebis, a local speciality prepared by soaking the fried sweet in thickened milk rather than sugar syrup, remain a culinary marker of the region's identity. This is not the first time the actor has spoken warmly of the city on the show, but the specificity and emotion of this recall stood out. KBC Season 18 continues to air on Sony Entertainment Television.
Point of View
And it works every season. But this particular moment cuts deeper than the usual warmth because it anchors a global icon to a very specific, pre-fame geography: a child walking barefoot to the Sangam, not a star. The milk jalebi detail is also quietly significant — Allahabad's culinary identity is under-documented nationally, and a single prime-time endorsement from Bachchan does more for regional food culture than most campaigns. Whether the moment was spontaneous or editorially shaped, it gave the show something it prizes above trivia: genuine emotion from its host.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Amitabh Bachchan say about Allahabad's milk jalebis on KBC 18?
Amitabh Bachchan said he has never eaten a jalebi more delicious than the milk jalebis he had as a child in Allahabad. He described walking to the Sangam every morning, bathing there, and finding fresh milk jalebis just beyond the embankment.
What is a milk jalebi and why is it special to Allahabad?
A milk jalebi is a regional variant of the popular Indian sweet, soaked in thickened milk rather than plain sugar syrup, giving it a richer, creamier flavour. Allahabad — now Prayagraj — is particularly known for this speciality, and it holds strong cultural significance for locals.
Who was the contestant who prompted the story on KBC 18?
Contestant Lakshya Kumar Dwivedi asked Amitabh Bachchan about his favourite cuisine, which led the actor to first mention dal-roti and then, prompted further, to recall his childhood memories of Allahabad's milk jalebis.
What is Amitabh Bachchan's connection to Allahabad?
Amitabh Bachchan spent part of his childhood in Allahabad, which is also the birthplace of his father, the celebrated Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan. The city, now officially Prayagraj, holds deep personal and cultural roots for the Bachchan family.
When does KBC Season 18 air?
Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 airs on Sony Entertainment Television. The show is hosted by Amitabh Bachchan and features contestants from across India.
