KBC 16: Young contestant Utkarsh asks Sanjeev Kapoor, ‘Aap namak swad anusar par woh hota kitna hai?’

In the latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16, a 10-year-old contestant, Utkarsh Vasudev Mule from Hingoli, Maharashtra, captivated the audience with his love for cooking and his enthusiasm for learning.

Utkarsh had already won Rs 10,000 in the previous episode and returned to play for higher stakes.

Host Amitabh Bachchan began with a Rs 20,000 question, asking which film series featured Akshay Kumar in the first movie and Kartik Aaryan in the later sequels.

Utkarsh confidently answered “Bhool Bhulaiyaa” and advanced further in the game.

As the questions progressed, Utkarsh got stuck on the Rs 80,000 question and used the “Audience Poll” lifeline to help him identify which historical figure was born before Mahatma Gandhi.

With the audience’s help, he chose Pt Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and moved forward. Big B then played a video showcasing Utkarsh’s cooking skills, revealing that the young contestant is an avid follower of Chef Sanjeev Kapoor.

Utkarsh shared his dream of using KBC as a stepping stone to reach top restaurants, which left Amitabh Bachchan and the audience in awe of his ambition.

In a delightful surprise, Big B arranged a video call with Utkarsh’s idol, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. Overjoyed, Utkarsh eagerly chatted with the chef, asking him about his famous phrase, “namak swaad anusaar” (salt to taste).

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor playfully replied that he now says “namak sehat anusaar” (salt as per health) since people tend to add too much salt.

Utkarsh also sought tips on making perfectly round rotis, a skill he was keen to master.

Amitabh Bachchan added his own humour, suggesting that using a cooking pot as a guide could help, and Chef Kapoor chimed in with an amusing story of using a saucer to make round rotis as a child. Chef Kapoor also admitted his wife’s tawa rotis were better than his own, adding to the light-hearted exchange.

Continuing the game, Utkarsh encountered the Rs 3,20,000 question, seeking help from the “Ask the Expert” lifeline. He correctly identified Ghatotkach as the son of Bhima who carried Draupadi in the Mahabharata. Moving to the Super Sandook segment, Utkarsh answered six questions accurately, reviving his Audience Poll lifeline.

Using the revived lifeline, Utkarsh answered the Rs 6,40,000 question correctly, choosing “Maldives” as the southernmost location in the options. For the Rs 12,50,000 question, he identified Malaysia as the location of Merdeka 118, the world’s second tallest structure, using the Gyanastra lifeline to change the question. His next question involved the appointment of governors in India, and Utkarsh correctly answered that they are appointed by the President.

Finally, Big B presented the Rs 25,00,000 question about Penguin Island’s location in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. Unsure of the answer, Utkarsh decided to quit the game and took home Rs 12,50,000. Before exiting, he guessed the answer was Argentina, which turned out to be incorrect—the correct answer was Australia.

The episode was memorable for Utkarsh’s blend of knowledge, passion, and confidence, alongside the unforgettable surprise interaction with Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. Utkarsh’s journey on KBC was both inspiring and entertaining, leaving viewers with admiration for his ambition and love for cooking.