KBC 16: Controversy erupts as Big B confuses actress Zubeida with wife of Hanwant Singh

Mumbai: Kaun Banega Crorepati, the famous quiz show hosted by Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan has triggered a controversy following a gaffe by the show's creators in connection with a question regarding actress Zubeida, according to Pinkvilla.

In a latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16, where actor Varun Dhawan and the directors of the series Citadel: Honey Bunny as celebrity guests, a question led to some false information being given on the life of actress Zubeida, a star of India’s first talkie film Alam Ara.

During the show, host Amitabh Bachchan asked Varun Dhawan and director Raj Nidimoru a question that read, "Which actress tragically passed away in a plane crash along with her husband, Maharaja Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur?" The answer options included Sulochana, Mumtaz, Nadira, and Zubeida.

Varun & Raj chose Zubeida as their answer, which was marked as correct by the show. Bachchan went on to explain that the actress Zubeida married Maharaja Hanwant Singh and passed away in a tragic plane crash.

However, the episode has since drawn criticism from Zubeida’s son, Khalid Mohammed, who called out the show’s lack of research.

It seems actress Zubeida is different from Hanwant Singh’s wife Zubeida, but the show makers confused the two figures.

Khalid Mohammed, son of Zubeida and Hanwant Singh, quickly pointed out the inaccuracy.

Following the episode, Khalid wrote on X “This is my late mother Zubeida Begum. She wasn’t born when Alam Ara was made. An apology on the programme for the gaffe would be the least you could do.” He further criticised the KBC team for not adequately fact-checking such sensitive information.

Khalid clarified the differences between his mother and the historical figure discussed on the show, "Whoever calls the shots, may I request a clarification on KBC. Zubeida (Dhanrajgir) was the renowned actress who featured in Alam Ara. Not my maa Zubeida, who did wish to act but wasn’t permitted by her strict father. How could your research team make such a gaffe?”