From Jaya Bachchan disliking Amitabh Bachchan’s song ‘Mere Angne Mein’ to recalling their love story; moments from KBC 17 special episode

Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan have been married for over five decades

The Friday's episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 was not just a quiz show, it became an unforgettable evening of nostalgia, laughter, poetry, and cinematic memories.

As veteran lyricist-writer Javed Akhtar and his son, filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar, took the hot seat to celebrate host Amitabh Bachchan’s birthday, the atmosphere was charged with affection and admiration.

Between witty banter, soulful verses, and spontaneous laughter, Bachchan opened up about some rare and delightful chapters from his illustrious life — including the origins of his love story with Jaya Bachchan.

The Beginning of a Love Story: Guddi, Not Zanjeer

A curious audience member asked the megastar, “It is heard that your love story with Jaya ji began on the sets of Zanjeer and soon after you two got married. Is it true?” Amitabh Bachchan smiled and replied, “This is a parivarik show and let it be like that. But since you asked, let me clear the air — you are absolutely wrong.”

He went on to reveal, “Jaya and I were cast for Guddi. I had also shot for 10–12 days. But Hrishikesh da thought I wouldn’t be a good choice since my film Anand was releasing, and I might not suit the role. Hence, they got Dharmendra. But Jaya and I met there first — and what happened next, I am not going to say,” he added with a mischievous grin, leaving everyone smiling at the romantic mystery he maintained.

A Tree, A Song, and Endless Laughter

Bachchan also shared a humorous memory from the sets of Raaste Ka Patthar, which had everyone laughing. “I was shooting for a film in Madh Island. I remember Javed sahab tried to climb a tree while trying to sing the song. I thought, you should be in Zanjeer,” he quipped, as Javed and Farhan joined in the laughter. The camaraderie between the three added a spontaneous warmth to the episode.

The Truth Behind ‘Mere Angne Mein’

In one of the most entertaining moments of the show, Amitabh Bachchan revealed a behind-the-scenes story about his iconic song Mere Angne Mein from Laawaris. When Farhan Akhtar asked him about one quality that Jaya Bachchan didn’t like about him, Big B said, “She is very particular. It doesn’t matter about the story, actress or the film. If she didn’t like something, she would say it straightaway.”

He then narrated, “While shooting for the song, I thought I should dress up as all those women I am describing — chhoti, moti, naati, lambi. After shooting, I came home, but Devi ji (Jaya) was very upset. She didn’t like the song and scolded me a lot. She said, ‘How can you do a song like this?’”

Laughing, he continued, “Cut to 15 years later, when I was performing the song at award functions, we would invite women to join according to their appearances in the lyrics. During the chhoti part, I would say — don’t call anyone, I already have one. I would lift her in my arms and say, ‘God me utha lo, bachhe ka kya kaam hai.’ The mic was on, and I thought she’d add a line, but she was busy wiping off the lipstick marks from my cheek — very typical of all wives!” The audience burst into laughter and applause.

Remembering Dilip Kumar: A Shared Admiration

A particularly touching segment of the episode saw Javed Akhtar and Amitabh Bachchan reminiscing about their mutual admiration for the legendary Dilip Kumar. Javed shared, “Once we were all talking about Dilip saab and suddenly decided to visit him — it was around 1 a.m. We wondered if he’d meet us, but within 15 minutes, he came and welcomed us warmly.”

Bachchan added, “He spent the entire night sharing stories, and we just kept listening. That’s the kind of magic Dilip saab had — you could listen to him endlessly.” The recollection left the audience teary-eyed and reflective.

Poetry, Music, and Timeless Bonds

Between lighthearted jokes and profound reflections, the episode turned into a masterclass in art, life, and friendship. Javed Akhtar’s poetic interludes, Farhan’s heartfelt questions, and Amitabh Bachchan’s infectious charm brought together generations of cinema lovers.

It was more than just a television episode but a celebration of Indian film heritage and human connections.