SRK, Aishwarya, MS Dhoni Top Picks to Replace Bachchan on KBC

On July 3, 2025, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) will celebrate its 25th anniversary, marking the start of Season 16. Amitabh Bachchan, who began hosting the quiz show in 2000 at the age of 57, is now 82. Although Sony TV had intended to bring in a new host, as Bachchan had expressed a desire to reduce his workload and asked the channel to find a successor, no replacement was finalized, allowing him to continue hosting this season. However, a change may be necessary for the next season.

To determine the most preferred candidate to replace Mr. Bachchan as the anchor of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), the Indian Institute of Human Brands (IIHB) and Rediffusion’s Red Lab conducted a survey last week. The research, which covered 768 respondents (408 men and 360 women), was carried out in the Hindi heartland.

Respondents voted for potential replacements as follows:

Shahrukh Khan     63%

Aishwarya Rai       51%

MS Dhoni              37%

Harsha Bhogle      32%

Anil Kapoor           15%

Other notable mentions with high single-digit votes included Aamir Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Shashi Tharoor, and Chetan Bhagat. Akshay Kumar, who topped a similar IIHB survey in 2022, didn’t make the Top 10 this year, and his wife Twinkle Khanna also received little support. Interestingly, “Amitabh Bachchan should continue till he can” was the response of as much as 42% of the respondents surveyed.

Amitabh Bachchan’s most admired trait as KBC host is his empathy. He’s welcoming, humble, and approachable, making contestants feel at ease. Despite his stature and presence, he remains relatable, with a great sense of humor that’s never demeaning or patronizing.

Shah Rukh Khan hosted Season 3 of KBC on Star TV, but struggled to match Amitabh Bachchan’s success. While SRK brought his own style, comparisons hurt the show's ratings. However, with his recent resurgence, 63% of respondents now see him as the top choice to replace Bachchan.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the daughter-in-law of the Big B, unexpectedly became a strong contender in the research, with over half of the survey participants selecting her as their top choice.

Post-retirement, MS Dhoni's popularity has soared, with 40 brands tapping him as their ambassador. His widespread appeal also makes him the top choice for the new KBC host, backed by 37% of respondents.

Few know that Harsha Bhogle, India’s top cricket commentator, is an IIM-Ahmedabad alumnus. Known for his intelligence, calm demeanor, and amiable nature, it's no surprise that he received 32% support as a potential successor to Bachchan.

“The fact that politician Shashi Tharoor and novelist Chetan Bhagat have made the Top 10 indicates that the viewing public is happy to look beyond matinee stars as the KBC anchor – it is possible that Mr. Bachchan’s easy-going style has democratized the choice of his successor”, says Dr. Sandeep Goyal, chief mentor of IIHB and chairman of Rediffusion. 

SRK was the No. 1 pick among both male and female respondents. There was no visible difference between the voting of both genders, with the exception of Harsha Bhogle who had a strong male bias.