A recent episode of Junior Kaun Banega Crorepati has sparked an intense online debate after a clip featuring young contestant Ishit Bhatt went viral on X (formerly Twitter). The boy’s confident, outspoken behaviour while seated opposite host Amitabh Bachchan drew mixed reactions, with several users calling him “rude” and “arrogant.” Within hours, hashtags labelling him the “most hated kid on the internet” began trending — a disturbing turn that prompted singer Chinmayi Sripaada to speak out against the wave of adult-led trolling.
On Monday, Chinmayi took to X to call out the hypocrisy and cruelty of grown-ups who were openly mocking a child. Reacting to a viral post featuring Ishit’s photo with the caption “most hated kid on the internet,” she wrote, “An adult putting a tweet saying most hated kid. Adults here on Twitter have been one of the most lousy, foul-mouthed, abusive lot; none of these voices said a thing when kids died due to a cough syrup. But yeah, pick on a kid. Says a LOT about the ecosystem. This entire lot is picking on one over-excited kid — what a horrible bunch of bullies they’ve raised themselves to be.”
Her statement quickly gained traction, with many agreeing that while Ishit’s on-screen behaviour may have seemed bold or impatient, the online backlash had crossed all limits of decency.
In the viral episode, Ishit Bhatt displayed a mix of overconfidence and enthusiasm that some viewers found entertaining and others found off-putting. The young contestant immediately interrupted Amitabh Bachchan as he began explaining the show’s rules, saying, “Mere ko rule pata hain, isiliye aap mereko rules samjhaane mat baithna” (I already know the rules, so there’s no need to explain them).
Throughout the round, Ishit answered questions rapidly — often without waiting for Bachchan to finish reading the options. When faced with the ₹25,000 question based on the Ramayana, he insisted on locking his answer almost immediately. “Arre lock karo!” (Just lock it!) he exclaimed repeatedly, cutting off the host mid-sentence. Unfortunately, his confidence didn’t pay off, and he ended up answering incorrectly, leaving the show without any winnings.
Clips of this exchange quickly circulated online, with many users sharing memes and mocking his tone. However, as the trolling escalated — including adults hurling abusive language at the child — a growing number of voices began urging restraint and compassion. “He’s just a kid on national television,” one user commented. “The internet really needs to learn boundaries.”
This incident reignited a larger conversation about how quickly social media can turn toxic, especially when children are involved. The anonymity of online platforms often fuels mob reactions, blurring the line between constructive criticism and outright bullying. Chinmayi’s response struck a chord with parents, educators, and netizens alike, many of whom echoed her sentiment that children must never be subjected to adult-level scrutiny or hostility online.
Kaun Banega Crorepati — one of India’s longest-running and most beloved quiz shows — has long been known for its focus on learning, humility, and human stories. Since its debut in 2000, and now in its 17th season, the show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan has celebrated intelligence and curiosity across generations. The junior edition, especially, is meant to encourage young minds, making the episode’s aftermath particularly disappointing for many loyal viewers.
About Chinmayi Sripaada
Chinmayi Sripaada is a celebrated playback singer, voice artist, and entrepreneur. Trained in Carnatic music under her mother T. Padmasini, she made her playback debut at the age of 15 with A. R. Rahman’s Oru Deivam Thantha Poovae from Kannathil Muthamittal (2002). Since then, she has sung in multiple languages including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi, delivering chartbusters such as Tere Bina (Guru) and Titli (Chennai Express). Beyond her music career, she’s also a noted voice artist and the founder of the translation company Blue Elephant.
Her outspoken stance on social issues — from the #MeToo movement to online abuse — has made her one of the few public figures consistently calling for empathy and accountability in the digital age. Her latest stand, defending a child from online ridicule, once again reinforces that message.