• Sohana Ahamad Khan
• 21 Oct, 2025

§  Ishit Bhatt Apology

§  Who is Ishit Bhatt.?

§  KBC 17 Kid Finally Apologizes After Rude Behavior Goes Viral

§  KBC 17 Viral Kid Says Sorry to Amitabh Bachchan After Massive Backlash

KBC 17: The internet storm that began with a confident young boy on national television has finally reached a turning point. Ishit Bhatt, the 10-year-old contestant from Gandhinagar, Gujarat who became the center of a nationwide controversy after his appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 17, has issued a public apology to legendary host Amitabh Bachchan. The fifth-grade student who went viral for all the wrong reasons, took to Instagram to express deep regret for his behavior that many viewers labeled as rude, overconfident and disrespectful. ​

What started as an exciting appearance on India’s most-watched quiz show quickly spiraled into one of the biggest parenting debates of 2024 with the young contestant becoming a trending topic across social media platforms. After facing relentless trolling and criticism for nearly a week, Ishit finally addressed the controversy through a heartfelt video and written statement, marking a significant moment in what experts are calling a crucial lesson about humility, respect and the power of social media.

The Viral Moment That Shocked India

The controversy erupted when clips from Ishit Bhatt’s KBC 17 episode began circulating on social media platforms in mid-October 2024. From the moment the young contestant took the hot seat, his behavior caught viewers’ attention for reasons that divided the nation.

Right at the start, Ishit boldly told Amitabh Bachchan, “Mere ko rules pata hai isliye aap mereko abhi rules samjhane mat baithna” (I know the rules, so don’t start explaining the rules to me right now). This assertive beginning set the tone for what would become an increasingly uncomfortable viewing experience for many audiences.

Throughout the episode, the 10-year-old displayed remarkable confidence by answering questions before Bachchan could even finish reading the options. His repeated demands to “lock the answer” and insistence on moving quickly through questions without listening to the legendary host sparked immediate reactions online.

The turning point came on the fifth question worth Rs 25,000 which asked about the first kanda of Valmiki Ramayana. After breezing through the first four questions, Ishit’s overconfidence backfired when he incorrectly answered “Ayodhya Kanda” without using a lifeline, when the correct answer was “Bala Kanda”. He left the show empty-handed, a moment that many viewers found satisfying given his earlier attitude.

Social Media Erupts: The Great Parenting Debate

Within hours of the episode airing, social media platforms exploded with reactions. Twitter (now X), Instagram and Facebook became battlegrounds where millions debated whether Ishit’s behavior reflected confidence or arrogance and whether this was a child development issue or a parenting failure.

·       One viral tweet captured the sentiment: “Very satisfying ending.! Not saying this about the kid, but the parents. If you can’t teach your kids humility, patience and manners, they turn out to be such rude overconfident lot. Not winning a single rupee will surely pinch them for a long time”.

However, the conversation quickly became more nuanced. Playback singer Chinmayi Sripaada came to Ishit’s defense, criticizing the online culture of targeting children and calling out adults who labeled him “most hated kid”. She wrote, “An adult putting a tweet saying most hated kid… But yeah, pick on a kid. Says a LOT about the ecosystem”.

The debate expanded to include discussions about the “Six Pocket Syndrome”—a term describing children raised with excessive attention from six adults (parents and grandparents), leading to overindulgence and entitlement. Chandigarh-based entrepreneur Shekhar Dutt urged people to stop trolling the child, explaining that “Indian kids are now going through what Chinese children went through two decades ago—raised by six pockets, surrounded by affection but lacking discipline”.

The Apology That Changed Everything

After a week of intense scrutiny and backlash, Ishit Bhatt posted a video on his Instagram account @ishit_bhatt_official on October 19, 2025. The video showed him politely requesting a photo with Amitabh Bachchan, who graciously obliged, accompanied by a heartfelt written apology.

“Hello everyone, I want to sincerely apologize for my behaviour on Kaun Banega Crorepati,” Ishit wrote. “I know many people felt hurt, disappointed or disrespected by the way I spoke and I truly regret it. At that moment, I got nervous and my attitude came out completely wrong. It wasn’t my intention to be rude—I respect Amitabh Bachchan sir and the entire KBC team deeply”.

·       The young contestant continued: “I’ve learned a big lesson about how words and actions reflect who we are, especially on such a big platform. I promise to be more humble, respectful and thoughtful in the future. Thank you to everyone who still supported me and gave me a chance to learn from this mistake”.

Signing off as “The KBC Boy,” Ishit’s apology demonstrated a level of maturity that surprised many who had criticized him just days earlier.

Mixed Reactions to the Apology

The apology received mixed responses across social media platforms. Many users praised Ishit’s courage to admit his mistake and appreciated his willingness to learn from the experience.

“He is just a kid, he is excited, let’s sink that in and stop shaming him,” wrote one Instagram user. Another commented, “Beta, be you. We all learn along the journey of life. You have a long way to go and you are already on KBC at this age. Kuddos to you and your parents. Onwards and upwards always”.

However, some remained skeptical with sarcastic comments continuing to reference his viral phrases like “Arehh, sir lock karoo naa”. Others questioned whether the apology was genuine or prompted by parental pressure following the intense backlash.

Notable personalities including celebrities Rajiv Adatia and Varun Chakravarthy publicly supported Ishit, urging people to show empathy and remember that he is just a child learning important life lessons.

What Experts Say: Child Psychology and Development

Child development experts and psychologists have weighed in on the controversy, offering valuable perspectives beyond the simple narrative of “bad parenting”.

Developmental psychologist insights suggest that children around age 10 often struggle to accurately assess their own knowledge and capabilities. Research published in the Child Development Journal indicates that younger children frequently overestimate what they know and the ability to self-assess develops gradually through elementary school years.

Dr. Mona Gujral, Chief Psychologist at Coto, emphasized the concerning aspect isn’t the child’s confidence but the massive hate directed at him. “Had the same child won in the programme, these same trolls would have been praising his confidence and the confident parenting behind it,” she explained.

Dr. Samir Dalwai, a developmental behavioral pediatrician, noted that while increased confidence in youth is positive, “being able to regulate behaviour (age appropriately) as to respect the rights of others and to not offend others unnecessarily is also a vital learning that needs to be ingrained early”.

Mental health experts warned about the lasting psychological impact of public shaming on children. “Public humiliation at such a formative age can distort self-esteem, create anxiety and instill fear of self-expression,” Dr. Gujral cautioned.

The Amitabh Bachchan Factor: Grace Under Pressure

Throughout the entire ordeal, one constant remained: the dignified composure of Amitabh Bachchan. The 81-year-old megastar’s patient handling of the situation earned widespread praise from viewers who witnessed his remarkable grace.

Despite Ishit’s repeated interruptions and dismissive tone, Bachchan maintained his trademark professionalism, never losing his temper or making the child feel uncomfortable on national television. His calm demeanor and gentle guidance became a masterclass in handling difficult situations with dignity.

“For the first time, I actually feel like praising Amitabh Bachchan,” wrote one social media user. “Watching how he behaved in front of Amitabh Bachchan must have made you angry—but Amitabh Bachchan handled it with remarkable grace. He reacted completely calmly to the child’s unruly behavior”.

The incident has given audiences fresh appreciation for the veteran actor’s decades of experience in dealing with diverse contestants and unexpected situations on the show.

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Broader Implications: Reality TV and Children

The Ishit Bhatt controversy has reignited important conversations about children’s participation in reality television shows and the pressures they face. Questions emerged about whether competitive formats like KBC create environments that inadvertently encourage overconfidence or anxiety in young contestants.

Educational experts pointed out that schools, not just parents, play a role in shaping children’s behavior. The competitive educational environment in India, combined with social media influence, creates complex pressures on young minds that previous generations never experienced.

The incident also highlighted how social media can amplify both success and failure, creating instant celebrities or targets out of children who are still developing their understanding of appropriate social behavior. The viral nature of the clips meant that Ishit’s mistake was watched, analyzed and judged by millions, creating a scale of public scrutiny that no 10-year-old is prepared to handle.

A Prediction Fulfilled: The Eerie Advertisement

In a bizarre twist, writer and director Neeraj Singh revealed that he had predicted this exact scenario three years earlier. In 2022, Singh directed an advertisement for KBC featuring a young contestant displaying similar overconfident behavior with Amitabh Bachchan.

In the ad, a contestant jumps the gun before hearing all options, tells Bachchan “yolo” (you only live once) when asked why he’s in such a hurry and receives the response “ygjh” (ye galat jawab hain – this is the wrong answer).

·       Sharing the comparison on social media, Singh wrote: “Full Déjà Vu.!! 3 years ago, I wrote this ad for KBC. Today, 10-year-old Ishit Bhatt walks onto the same stage, bringing to life what I had once imagined for a 20-year-old. Life’s getting stranger than fiction. Parenting is going to be the biggest challenge of our society in coming years”.

Lessons Learned: Moving Forward

The Ishit Bhatt-KBC controversy serves as a powerful reminder about multiple societal issues converging in one viral moment. It highlights the importance of teaching children emotional regulation, respect for elders and the difference between confidence and arrogance—lessons that require patience and consistent guidance from both parents and educators.

For parents, the incident underscores the need to prepare children for high-pressure situations and help them understand that televised appearances require a different level of decorum than casual conversations. Child development experts recommend coaching children on balancing enthusiasm with appropriate behavior before they participate in public forums.

For society, the controversy raises critical questions about how we treat children in the public eye. The line between constructive criticism and cyberbullying becomes dangerously thin when millions of adults pile on to criticize a 10-year-old child.

Most importantly, Ishit’s willingness to apologize and acknowledge his mistake demonstrates that children are capable of learning and growing from their experiences when given the opportunity. His apology showed emotional maturity and self-awareness that many adults struggle to achieve.

Conclusion

The journey of Ishit Bhatt from confident contestant to viral target to apologetic young boy learning life lessons has been watched by millions across India. What began as a controversial episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati became a national conversation about parenting styles, child development, social media culture and the pressures faced by today’s generation.

While opinions remain divided on whether the backlash was justified or excessive, one thing is clear: a 10-year-old child has learned valuable lessons about humility, respect, and the power of words—lessons that will stay with him far longer than any prize money from a game show.

As Ishit himself acknowledged, this experience has taught him “how words and actions reflect who we are, especially on such a big platform”. For the rest of us, perhaps the lesson is about showing compassion to children who make mistakes in the public eye, remembering that childhood is supposed to be a time for learning and growth, not permanent judgment.

The incident also serves as a powerful reminder of Amitabh Bachchan’s enduring grace and professionalism, qualities that continue to inspire respect across generations.

Call to Action (CTA)

What are your thoughts on the Ishit Bhatt controversy.? Do you think the social media backlash was justified or did it go too far.? Share your perspectives on parenting in the digital age and how we can create healthier environments for children in the spotlight.

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