The reality quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati has been entertaining audiences for over 25 years now. While the show is synonymous with Amitabh Bachchan and his impeccable hosting, there was one season when the megastar had to step away. In 2007, KBC Season 3 was hosted by Shah Rukh Khan, a phase that fans still fondly remember. Even today, clips from that season often resurface online, reminding viewers of SRK’s charm and warmth.
SRK`s generous move
Now, one such clip from KBC Season 3 has gone viral, showcasing Shah Rukh Khan’s generosity. In the video, a contestant is seen getting a question wrong, which costs him Rs 3 lakh, bringing his winnings down to Rs 20,000. Moved by the contestant’s disappointment, Khan did something that perfectly captured his gracious personality.
“Don’t feel bad. I think you played well. You took a chance here, and you still have Rs 20,000. You tried your best and played very well. You were about to win Rs 3,20,000, and I hoped you’d win even more. Don’t feel bad,” SRK told the contestant before quoting his iconic line, ‘Kabhi kabhi jeetne ke liye kuch haarna padta hai’.
To cheer him up, Shah Rukh then took off his own watch and gifted it to the contestant, saying, “What is money?” He even hugged him, adding that the contestant had played beautifully, a gesture that won hearts both on and off-screen.
Yaar SRK itna acha kyu hai ??? 😭❤️
BigB used to say “manyavar yeh aap galat ho gaye” but SRK didn’t use any negative word. Ulta he felt so bad that guy lost money. He gave away his watch. It might be more expensive than the entire prize amount but pyaar mei de diya 😭 pic.twitter.com/bFo7ivlhB7
— Taani Partner (@shahcutiekhan) October 6, 2025
The question that cost the contestant Rs 3 lakh
The question that stumped the contestant was, “Which was the first Indian company to trade on the US stock exchange NASDAQ-100 index?”
After using the 50-50 lifeline, the options left were Satyam Computers and Infosys Technologies. The contestant guessed Satyam Computers, but the correct answer was Infosys Technologies.
Why Shah Rukh Khan hosted only one season of KBC
Amitabh Bachchan had to stop shooting KBC 2 midway in 2006 due to health issues. Since no contestant won the top prize that season, the show’s production came to a halt. For the next season, the channel brought in Shah Rukh Khan as host.
Despite SRK’s star power and charm, the show couldn’t recreate the same magic. The ratings dipped significantly, and rising production costs, including SRK’s high remuneration, strained the network financially. KBC creator Siddhartha Basu later said that comparisons with Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic hosting were inevitable, making it difficult for anyone else to fill those shoes.
Three years later, Sony acquired the rights to KBC and successfully revived it with Amitabh Bachchan returning as host for Season 4- a decision that restored the show’s legacy.
