Singer Chinmayi Sripaada has publicly defended 10-year-old Ishit Bhatt, a recent contestant on Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, who has been subjected to severe online trolling. Ishit’s appearance on the show, marked by what some viewers interpreted as overconfidence and rudeness towards host Amitabh Bachchan, led to a wave of negative comments on social media, with many labeling him the ‘most hated kid.’
The young participant from Gujarat left the game show empty-handed after a mistaken answer on a Ramayana-related question. This performance and his on-air conduct drew considerable ire from internet users.
Sripaada condemned the online harassment, referring to the critics as a ‘horrible bunch of bullies.’ She took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her strong disapproval of adults targeting a child. ‘Adults here on Twitter have been one of the most lousy, foul mouthed, abusive lot,’ she wrote, questioning their silence on more serious issues while focusing their criticism on a child. She added, ‘This entire lot is picking on one over excited kid – what a horrible bunch of bullies these have raised themselves to be.’
In the viral segment, Ishit, a fifth-grade student, confidently interrupted Amitabh Bachchan with, ‘I’m familiar with the rules, so don’t explain them to me.’ He also preempted the host by quickly locking in answers, demonstrating a high level of self-assurance.
This display of confidence proved to be short-lived. After successfully navigating the initial questions, Ishit stumbled on the Rs 25,000 question concerning the Ramayana, leading to his departure from the game.
Ishit’s behavior on KBC 17 also ignited a debate about parenting styles. Numerous online posts questioned whether his parents had adequately taught him humility and respect. Some viewers felt that his failure to win any money served as a consequence for his perceived arrogance, prompting a reflection on how children are raised.