Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan took a nostalgic trip down memory lane on a special Diwali episode of his long-running quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), recounting traditional festive rituals from his childhood — including the careful preservation and reuse of earthen lamps, or diyas. The episode, which aired on Sony Entertainment Television, offered viewers a rare, personal glimpse into the 80-year-old icon's festive upbringing.

Bachchan on the Diya Ritual

Reflecting on a time when Diwali preparations were steeped in careful tradition, Bachchan shared how his family would save their earthen lamps from one year to the next. “Many festivals are tied to memories, Diwali, for instance. We belong to an older generation, back then, when Diwali approached, we would carefully preserve the earthen lamps (diyas) from the previous year,” he said.

He elaborated on the process: “We’d soak them in water to refresh them, let them dry, and then place them all around the house. We would fill them with mustard oil, what we called kadu tel; and then light the wicks. Only then would the celebration truly begin.” The anecdote struck a chord with audiences, evoking a pre-commercial era when festive practices were passed down through generations rather than purchased off a shelf.

Ranbir Kapoor’s R.K. Studio Memories

Actor Ranbir Kapoor also appeared on the special episode, revisiting his own cherished childhood memories of Diwali — centred around the iconic R.K. Studio in Mumbai, the legendary venue his grandfather Raj Kapoor built. “Diwali ka matlab khushiyan hain... bachpan se jo Diwali hoti thi, pehle hum R.K. Studio jaate the, wahan ek Lakshmi puja karte the, phir hum meri dadi Shri Krishna Kapoor ko milne jaate the, woh hume mithai deti thi, mujhe paise deti thi jo bahut saare paise the (Diwali means happiness... Since childhood, our Diwali celebrations would begin with us going to R.K. Studios, where we would perform Lakshmi Puja. Then we would go to meet my grandmother, Shri Krishna Kapoor. She would give us sweets and give me money, a lot of money),” he recalled.

Kapoor added that after the visit, the family would return home for another round of Lakshmi Puja, followed by his father lighting firecrackers outside. “Jaa ke ghar mein Lakshmi puja karke, papa bahar kuch pataake jalate the, aur phir hum sath mein khana kha ke so jaate the, and this was a perfect Diwali for us (After going home and performing Lakshmi Puja, Papa would go outside and light some firecrackers, and then we would eat together and go to sleep, and this was a perfect Diwali for us),” he said.

Why This Episode Resonates

The special Diwali instalment of KBC comes amid growing national conversation about the commercialisation of Indian festivals. Both Bachchan’s diya anecdote and Kapoor’s recollection of family-first celebrations speak to an older template of festivity — one driven by ritual, kinship, and frugality rather than spending. Notably, R.K. Studio itself was sold in 2017, making Kapoor’s memories a poignant reminder of a Bollywood era that has physically ceased to exist.

About Kaun Banega Crorepati

Kaun Banega Crorepati has been hosted by Amitabh Bachchan since its debut in 2000, barring a brief stint by Shah Rukh Khan in its third season. The show airs on Sony Entertainment Television and remains one of Indian television’s longest-running and highest-rated prime-time programmes. Special festive episodes — where celebrity guests share personal stories alongside quiz rounds — have become a signature format for the show’s seasonal programming.

With Diwali festivities underway across the country, the episode is likely to draw strong viewership as audiences connect both stars’ stories to their own family traditions.