Mumbai: Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan shared a humorous childhood memory about Diwali celebrations with actors Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Ravie Dubey during a special episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18. The episode, which celebrates the festival of lights, will feature the cast of Ramayana: Rise of a Legend ahead of the film’s scheduled theatrical release on November 5.
A promotional video released on October 24 shows Ranbir, Sai and Ravie joining Bachchan on the popular quiz show. The conversation takes a light-hearted turn when Ranbir asks the veteran actor whether he has any memorable experiences associated with Diwali.
Responding with a humorous recollection, Bachchan says, “The only thing one remembered about Diwali was that if a firecracker went off at a neighbour’s place, ours had to be even louder.”
His remark leaves the three guests laughing, offering viewers a glimpse of the festive atmosphere expected in the upcoming episode.
Amitabh Bachchan shares a relatable Diwali memory
Diwali is traditionally associated with family gatherings, sweets, lights and celebrations across India. Firecrackers have also been part of the festival in many households, although concerns about air pollution, noise and public safety have led to growing discussions around their use.
Bachchan’s anecdote captures the competitive spirit that children sometimes bring to festive celebrations. His humorous response suggests that the sound of firecrackers in a neighbouring home could become an unofficial challenge, with families trying to make their own celebrations louder.
The exchange also reflects the conversational format of Kaun Banega Crorepati, which frequently combines quiz questions with personal stories and interactions between the host and celebrity guests.
For Ranbir, Sai and Ravie, the appearance provides an opportunity to discuss their upcoming film while sharing a lighter moment with Bachchan, one of Hindi cinema’s most recognisable performers.
The Diwali special episode is expected to bring together entertainment and festive nostalgia as the film’s release approaches.
KBC 18 Diwali special: When to watch
The new episodes of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 featuring the Ramayana: Rise of a Legend cast are scheduled to air on October 29 and 30, Thursday and Friday, at 9 pm.
The appearance comes as the actors prepare for the release of the first instalment of Nitesh Tiwari’s planned two-part adaptation of the Ramayana. The promotional material has offered audiences an early look at the cast interacting outside the film’s narrative.
Bachchan’s role as host provides the setting for the conversation, with the Diwali theme allowing the guests to discuss personal memories alongside their professional projects.
Celebrity appearances on the show often attract attention beyond the quiz itself, particularly when actors share anecdotes about their lives, relationships with festivals or experiences from their careers. In this case, the firecracker exchange has emerged as a light-hearted moment from the promotional clip.
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend heads for November 5 release
The first instalment of Ramayana: Rise of a Legend is scheduled to arrive in theatres on November 5. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film is planned as the opening chapter of a two-part cinematic adaptation of the ancient Indian epic traditionally attributed to sage Valmiki.
Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, while Sai Pallavi portrays Goddess Sita. Ravie Dubey appears as Lakshman, Yash plays Ravana and Sunny Deol portrays Lord Hanuman.
The supporting cast includes Rakul Preet Singh, Kunal Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi and Faisal Malik in important roles.
The film is planned for release in five languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. Its second instalment is scheduled to arrive during Diwali 2027, extending the story across two major theatrical releases.
The project is co-produced by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios in association with DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. Its scale, prominent cast and treatment of a widely known epic have made it one of the major releases to watch during the festive season.
Film declared tax-free in West Bengal
The film has also received a policy boost in West Bengal, where it was declared tax-free. Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision on Vijayadashami, according to reports.
The move comes as the film prepares for its nationwide theatrical release. Tax-related concessions can influence the final ticket price paid by moviegoers, depending on the applicable arrangements and local rules.
The announcement has added another development to the film’s pre-release campaign, alongside promotional appearances and advance ticket sales.
Advance bookings gather pace ahead of release
Advance bookings for Ramayana: Rise of a Legend have reportedly gathered momentum ahead of its November 5 release.
According to trade tracker Sacnilk, the film had sold more than 1.79 lakh tickets across 4,435 shows by 12 noon on October 24, 2026.
The reported advance gross stood at Rs 10.10 crore when blocked seats were included. When those seats were excluded, the figure was Rs 7.93 crore.
These figures offer an early indication of ticket-booking activity before the film reaches cinemas. However, advance-sales totals can change as more shows and seats become available, and they do not by themselves determine a film’s eventual box-office performance.
The film’s release across multiple languages is also intended to reach audiences beyond the Hindi-speaking market, while its source material has a longstanding cultural presence across India.
A festive television appearance ahead of a major release
The Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 Diwali special brings together a familiar television format and one of the season’s most anticipated film projects. Bachchan’s recollection of trying to outdo a neighbour’s firecrackers adds a relatable, humorous element to the promotional appearance.
With the episodes scheduled for October 29 and 30, viewers will get to see more of the interaction between the veteran host and the film’s principal cast shortly before the movie’s theatrical debut.
As Ramayana: Rise of a Legend approaches its November 5 release, attention will remain on its advance bookings, nationwide rollout and the audience response to the first part of the planned adaptation.