Amitabh Bachchan on trolling: Being called 'budhau' felt strange, posts less now
Synopsis
Amitabh Bachchan, fresh off his 84th birthday, told a KBC contestant what no PR team would script: that being called 'budhau' online hurt enough to make him post far less. The accidental punchline — that his follower count rose once he went quieter — says something sharp about how social media actually works.
Key Takeaways
Amitabh Bachchan revealed on Kaun Banega Crorepati that online trolling, including being called 'budhau' (old man), left him feeling deeply uncomfortable.
The actor said he initially viewed social media as a free space for expression but changed his approach after reading hostile comments.
He confirmed he has significantly reduced his posting on social platforms as a direct result of the criticism.
In a lighter moment, Bachchan noted that his follower count has continued to grow ever since he started posting less.
Bachchan began writing his personal blog in 2008 and has been active across digital platforms for nearly two decades.
He turned 84 on 11 October 2026 , making him one of the longest-serving active public figures on Indian social media.
Amitabh Bachchan, who celebrated his 84th birthday on 11 October 2026, has opened up about his experience with online trolling, revealing that being called 'budhau' (old man) and encountering harsh criticism on social media left him feeling deeply unsettled — and ultimately drove him to post significantly less. The megastar shared this candid reflection during a recent episode of the quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).
The Question That Sparked the Conversation
The exchange began when contestant Vinamra, seated on the KBC hotseat, asked Bachchan how he personally handles social media criticism. Vinamra noted that people in his age group struggle to cope with online negativity. The question appeared to resonate deeply with the veteran actor, prompting an unusually candid response about his own evolving relationship with digital platforms.
Bachchan's Social Media Journey
The actor described his initial enthusiasm for social media as a space for free expression. 'Pehle humne socha ki yeh bahut accha yantra hai, ismein hum apne dil ki baat bol dete hain...' ('At first, I thought this was a very good platform, where I could express what was in my heart...'), he said. That optimism, however, did not last long once he began reading the comments sections.
Bachchan recounted encountering language such as 'Apne aap ko kya samajhta hai re tu budhau... Aise kyun bol raha hai?' ('What does he think of himself, this old man... Why is he talking like this?'). He described the experience as 'bada ajeeb lagta hai' — 'very strange' — and said it prompted him to scale back his posting considerably. 'Toh ab humne zyada likhna chhod diya hai,' he added ('So now, I have stopped writing as much').
The Unexpected Punchline
Bachchan ended the moment on a characteristically self-deprecating note that drew laughter from both Vinamra and the studio audience. 'Aur bhaisahab ek baat batayein aapko? Jab se kam likhna kar diya hai, humara follower badhta chala ja raha hai...' ('And brother, let me tell you one thing? Ever since I started writing less, my followers have continued to increase'), he quipped — turning a conversation about online hurt into a piece of accidental social media wisdom.
A Long Digital History
Bachchan's engagement with digital platforms is not incidental. He began writing his personal blog as early as 2008 — well ahead of most public figures in India — and has maintained a presence across multiple platforms over the decades. That longevity makes his decision to pull back all the more notable: this is not a newcomer rattled by his first bad comment, but a veteran recalibrating after years of sustained exposure to online discourse.
This comes amid a broader national conversation about the mental health impact of social media criticism, particularly on public figures and younger users. Bachchan's admission adds a rare first-person A-list perspective to that debate, suggesting the problem cuts across age and celebrity status alike.
Point of View
Which inadvertently validates every algorithm-literacy lecture about scarcity and engagement. What mainstream coverage may miss here is the generational signal: if an 84-year-old with a global fanbase feels alienated by online language, the platform toxicity problem is structural, not personal.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Amitabh Bachchan reduce his social media posts?
Amitabh Bachchan reduced his social media activity after encountering hostile comments, including being called 'budhau' (old man), which he described as feeling 'very strange.' He made the revelation during a KBC episode while responding to a contestant's question about handling online criticism.
What did Amitabh Bachchan say about being called 'budhau' online?
Bachchan recalled reading comments such as 'Apne aap ko kya samajhta hai re tu budhau' ('What does he think of himself, this old man') on his social media posts. He said encountering such language felt deeply unsettling and was the primary reason he decided to post less frequently.
What was Amitabh Bachchan's punchline about his follower count?
Bachchan quipped that ever since he started writing less on social media, his follower count has continued to increase. He delivered the line on KBC, drawing laughter from the contestant Vinamra and the studio audience.
When did Amitabh Bachchan start his social media and blog presence?
Amitabh Bachchan began writing his personal blog in 2008 and has remained active across various digital platforms over the years. He turned 84 on 11 October 2026.
What show was Amitabh Bachchan on when he discussed social media trolling?
Bachchan made these remarks on Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), the long-running quiz reality show he hosts. The conversation was prompted by contestant Vinamra, who asked him how he handles social media criticism.
