Chennai: Indian cricketer Varun Chakaravarthy has come out strongly against social media trolls after a young contestant on Kaun Banega Crorepati Junior faced widespread online ridicule. The boy, identified as 10-year-old Ishit Bhatt from Gandhinagar, Gujarat, appeared on the popular quiz show and drew attention for his confident demeanour and assertive tone during interactions with host Amitabh Bachchan.
Child faces trolling after KBC appearance
During his appearance, Ishit confidently said lines such as, “Mere ko rules pata hai, isliye aap mujhe rules mat samjhana,” and “Arre option daalo,” which went viral on social media. However, his attitude, perceived by some as arrogant, led to a torrent of online trolling. Many users mocked the child’s behaviour and mistakes after he incorrectly answered a question related to the Ramayana, choosing “Ayodhya Kanda” instead of “Bala Kanda.”
Varun Chakaravarthy defends the young contestant
Reacting to the trolling, Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Varun Chakaravarthy took to social media to criticise those targeting the child. Calling them “cowards behind screens,” he urged people to show compassion and restraint when commenting about minors. “He is a kid, for God’s sake! Let him grow! If you can’t tolerate a kid, imagine the society still tolerating many nut cases like the ones commenting on this kid,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Amitabh Bachchan’s composed reaction
During the show, host Amitabh Bachchan handled the situation calmly and with grace. When the contestant gave a wrong answer, Bachchan said, “Kabhi kabhi bachhe overconfidence mein galti kar dete hai,” gently reminding viewers that children often make mistakes out of excitement or nervousness.
Social media ethics under question
The incident has once again sparked debate over online trolling and the ethics of criticising minors. Many social media users have supported Chakaravarthy’s stance, agreeing that targeting a child for his behaviour on television was uncalled for. Several netizens expressed that constructive criticism should never turn into public shaming, especially when the person involved is a child still learning about confidence and communication.
Conclusion
Varun Chakaravarthy’s strong defence of Ishit Bhatt highlights a growing need for empathy in the age of social media. As discussions about digital civility gain traction, the incident serves as a reminder that behind every viral clip lies a real person—sometimes, just a child trying to find his voice.