Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan has, over the years, made Kaun Banega Crorepati more than a quiz show — it has quietly become one of Indian television's most humane storytelling stages. This week, that stage held one of its most powerful moments yet as Big B honoured the resilience of Dr. Prachi Rathod, a transgender medical professional whose personal journey moved the studio audience and the country watching from home.
During the latest episode, Prachi opened up about her personal journey of gender transformation and the hurdles she overcame to become a practising medical professional. When Big B gently asked about the support system that carried her through, her answer offered a rare, honest window into what a transgender person's family life often looks like in India.
"Sir, obviously, ever since childhood, until I told my family that I wanted to undergo this transformation, my parents, siblings and the entire family were there for me. But somewhere, they refused to accept me. That was when, Sir, I found another family in Hyderabad, where six 'havelis' (transgender communities) live. I am the daughter of the biggest haveli among those six. This community accepted me, and that encouraged me," Prachi said.
Her framing of the six havelis of Hyderabad as her "first family" spoke to a truth many transgender Indians have long lived with — that community, not biology, often becomes the strongest anchor of identity and belonging.
'They Told Me to Continue My Education'
Prachi went on to detail the emotional and practical role her chosen family played in her life. "They told me to continue my education, move forward in life and fulfil the dreams my father had for me. They told me that they would always stand by me. Sir, the six havelis in Hyderabad are my first family," she said.
But her story wasn't just about acceptance — it was also about the walls she ran into professionally. "I also tried very hard to find a job. I applied with my resume, went for interviews and made every effort, but somewhere, because of my gender, people refused to accept me," she added. In two sentences, Prachi summed up a systemic reality that thousands of transgender graduates in India face — brilliance on the CV, bias at the interview.
Big B's Emotional Salute
Deeply moved by her story, Amitabh Bachchan delivered a response that felt less like a scripted host's comment and more like a personal tribute.
"Prachiji hum samaj sakte hain aapke jeevan mein bohot saari kathinaaye aayi lekin yeh dekh karke ki aap jijaak nahi rahi hain aur saari duniya bata rahi hain ki aapke sath kya hua aur aapne har kisam ke badlav toh aapne swikaar kiya hain aur aage badi hain aur ek aur baat acchi lagi ki aapne aapki padhai puri ki aur aaj aap doctor ban gayi hain joh logo ka ilaaj karti hain toh iss baat keliye aapko bohot badhai," Big B said.
Translated: "Prachiji, we can understand that you have faced many difficulties in your life. But what I admire is that you never hesitated to tell the world about what happened to you. You accepted every kind of change and continued to move forward. And another thing that I really appreciate is that you completed your education, and today, you have become a doctor who treats people. For this, I congratulate you wholeheartedly."
The response wasn't grand. It didn't need to be. Its power lay in its clarity — an icon of Indian cinema publicly, unambiguously honouring a transgender doctor as an achiever, an educator's daughter, and a professional healer.
Why It Matters
Moments like this on prime-time Indian television carry weight far beyond the episode they air in. India's transgender community continues to fight visible and invisible barriers — from family acceptance and gender-affirming healthcare access to employment discrimination and social dignity. When a personality of Amitabh Bachchan's stature dedicates a KBC segment to Dr. Prachi Rathod's story, it does two things simultaneously: it humanises the transgender experience for millions of viewers, and it validates the community's professionals as achievers deserving of national admiration.
Cultural Impact
Dr. Prachi Rathod's presence on KBC 18 also represents a significant shift in how Indian mainstream television is engaging with gender identity. Rather than treating her identity as either a curiosity or a controversy, the show framed her journey as one of resilience, education and service — anchoring her achievements in the same register it uses for its most inspirational contestants.
That framing quietly redefines what "inspirational" looks like on Indian TV — not just as academic brilliance or economic mobility, but as the strength to live one's truth and still show up for society as a professional.
The Bigger Picture
'Kaun Banega Crorepati' Season 18 is currently available on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV. Between comedic marriage advice, emotional life stories and jackpot-winning moments, the show continues to serve as a rare space where India's diversity is not just represented but respected.
Dr. Prachi Rathod walked onto that stage carrying decades of struggle, resilience and reinvention. She walked off having been honoured by one of the country's most recognised voices. For every young transgender person watching from a small town — many of whom may be quietly navigating rejection at home or discrimination at work — that image will linger long after the episode ends: a doctor sitting on the KBC hot seat, unafraid, unashamed, and saluted for exactly who she is.
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