‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 18’ Premiere: Aamir Khan, Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta Kick Off Amitabh Bachchan’s Quiz Show With Big Wins and Playful Banter
The 18th season of Kaun Banega Crorepati premiered with Amitabh Bachchan hosting Team Batwara 1947 stars Aamir Khan, Sunny Deol, and Preity Zinta on the hot seat. The celebrity trio navigated history, cinema, and literature questions to win INR 25 lakh for the Paani Foundation while sharing playful banter with the host
The 18th season of India’s popular quiz show, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC 18), premiered on August 10, 2026, on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV. Hosted by veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, the grand opening episode brought together high-profile celebrity guests from the upcoming period film Batwara 1947. Centred around this season's theme, "Sochna Padega," the premiere featured dynamic gameplay, sharp intellectual challenges, and lighthearted interactions between the host and the star-studded panel. ‘Batwara 1947’ Trailer: Netizens Laud Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi, and Preity Zinta’s Emotional Performances, Call It a ‘Masterpiece’ (Watch Video).
Highlights of ‘KBC 18’ Premiere Episode With Team ‘Batwara 1947’
The premiere opened with host Amitabh Bachchan delivering an energetic entry wearing a modern ensemble and performing the show's new rap anthem, Sochna Padega, setting the tone for a season focused on critical thinking and applied knowledge. Replacing the traditional Fastest Finger First, a direct buzzer-based system kicked off the gameplay. Actors Aamir Khan and Sunny Deol were the first to take the hot seat, with Aamir answering the initial question on the Roman Empire correctly to secure their spot.
As the game progressed, actress Preity Zinta joined her co-stars on stage to complete Team Batwara 1947. The trio systematically navigated questions spanning literature, cinema, geography, and history. Among the key questions tackled was identifying the 1988 Govind Nihalani Partition film Tamas, based on Bhisham Sahni's novel, which required using the "Superflip" lifeline. By the time the episode's final hooter sounded, the team had secured INR 25 lakh, with Aamir Khan directing the prize money toward the Paani Foundation.
On-Screen Chemistry, Playful Complaints, and Memorable Banter
Beyond the trivia, the premiere stood out for its candid rapport between Amitabh Bachchan and his high-profile guests. In an entertaining exchange, Sunny Deol admitted feeling nervous on stage and confessed to being an overthinker, teasingly adding that Aamir Khan "doesn't think much" before making decisions. Aamir countered by reminding Bachchan of his frequent visits to the KBC hot seat over the years.
Watch the Promo of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 18’:
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Another highlight came when Bachchan playfully confronted Preity Zinta over unanswered messages. Displaying an archived social media post where he had wished her a happy birthday, the host lightheartedly called her out for taking weeks to respond. Zinta laughingly defended herself, pointing out that she always replies eventually, creating a warm and engaging atmosphere in the studio.
More About ‘Batwara 1947’
Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Aamir Khan under the Aamir Khan Productions banner, Batwara 1947 is a historic period drama set against the backdrop of Lahore during the 1947 Partition of India and the division of Punjab. The film reunites Sunny Deol with Santoshi after classic collaborations like Ghayal and Damini, while marking Preity Zinta’s return to feature films following an eight-year break. ‘KBC’ 18: Amitabh Bachchan Reveals He Worked a 24-Hour Shift, Says ‘Missing That Would Mean a Job Replacement for Me’.
Featuring a supporting cast that includes Shabana Azmi, Karan Deol, and Ali Fazal, the historical drama explores the human impact of Partition and is scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on August 14, 2026.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2026 10:50 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
