In a recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) season 16, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, a factual error led to significant controversy, with Zubeida Begum’s son, Khalid Mohammad, demanding an apology from the show’s makers. The mistake involved a question about his late mother, Zubeida, causing misunderstandings about her life and career.
Here’s a closer look at what happened and why it has sparked a strong reaction.
The Question that Sparked the Controversy
During the episode, actor Varun Dhawan and the directors of Citadel: Honey Bunny, Raj & DK, were featured on the KBC hot seat. Amitabh Bachchan posed a question regarding an actress who had tragically died in a plane crash alongside her husband, Maharaja Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur. The options given were Sulochana, Mumtaz, Nadira, and Zubeida. Varun and DK, after using multiple lifelines, selected “Zubeida” as their answer, which was deemed correct on the show.
Following this, Amitabh elaborated on Zubeida’s life, mentioning her role in the iconic film Alam Ara, India’s first talkie. However, this information was factually incorrect, and the error didn’t go unnoticed by viewers or by Zubeida’s son, Khalid Mohammad.
Khalid Mohammad’s Reaction and Demand for Clarification
Khalid Mohammad, a respected film critic and Zubeida’s son, took to social media to express his disappointment over the misinformation presented. On his X (formerly Twitter) account, he stated, “KBC and Amitabh Bachchan, this is my late mother, Zubeida Begum. When Alam Ara was made, she hadn’t even been born yet. The least you could do is issue an apology for this mistake.” He emphasized that this misrepresentation of his mother’s life was unacceptable, questioning the show’s research standards.
Khalid further elaborated on the error in another post, clarifying that while there was indeed an actress named Zubeida (Dhanragir) associated with Alam Ara, she was not his mother, Zubeida Begum, who had no connection to the film. He expressed concern that such an error could have been avoided with basic fact-checking and research.
Online Backlash and Calls for Accountability
Khalid Mohammad’s remarks were quickly echoed by several viewers on social media, who pointed out that KBC’s team should have verified the facts more thoroughly. Fans highlighted the importance of accurate information, especially on a national show with a large viewership.
Many users supported Khalid’s call for an apology, suggesting that KBC’s research team needed to address the oversight. This incident has also raised questions about the quality control process of quiz shows like KBC, where historical inaccuracies can lead to public misunderstandings. The error in KBC 16’s recent episode has not only highlighted the need for better fact-checking on popular shows but has also sparked a discussion on the importance of respecting public figures’ legacies.
