Varun Chakaravarthy Defends Young KBC Contestant Ishit Bhatt: “He's a Child, For God's Sake, Let Him Grow Up”

Team India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has come forward to defend a young contestant from Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 after the child faced harsh criticism on social media. The boy, Ishit Bhatt, a fifth-grade student from Gandhinagar, Gujarat, appeared on Amitabh Bachchan’s popular quiz show and became the subject of online trolling for his overconfident behavior during the episode.

Varun Chakaravarthy’s Strong Reaction

Expressing his disappointment at the online backlash, Varun took to social media and slammed those targeting the young participant. In his post, he wrote,

“How has social media become a haven for absurd people? For God’s sake, he’s a child. Let him grow up. If you can’t tolerate a kid, imagine the society still tolerating so many lunatics like the ones commenting on this child, and much more.”

He also shared screenshots from the show, urging people to show empathy rather than negativity.

What Happened on KBC 17?

The controversy began when a clip of Ishit Bhatt’s appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati went viral. During his interaction with host Amitabh Bachchan, Ishit interrupted the host, saying, “I know the rules, don’t explain them to me.” He also made several confident remarks like, “Put the options,” and, “Sir, put four locks on it, but lock it.”

While many viewers found the child’s attitude amusing, others criticized his behavior as disrespectful.

Amitabh Bachchan’s Calm Response

During the episode, Amitabh Bachchan handled the situation gracefully, saying, “Sometimes children make mistakes out of overconfidence.” Despite his incorrect answer to a question on the Valmiki Ramayana, Ishit’s confidence and personality left a lasting impression on viewers — for better or worse.

Social Media Divided

Following the episode, social media was flooded with memes and debates. Many users criticized the child’s manners, while others defended him, reminding critics that he’s only a child. Varun Chakaravarthy’s post has since gone viral, earning praise for standing up against online bullying and urging compassion towards young participants.