21 August,2026 05:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Yogesh Sahu and Amitabh Bachchan (Pictures via Instagram)
IIT Bombay topper and UPSC aspirant Yogesh Sahu recently found himself on the hot seat of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18, where he impressed host Amitabh Bachchan with his knowledge and gameplay. However, his journey on the show came to an end at the Rs 1 crore question, leaving him with Rs 50 lakh in prize money.
The 23-year-old contestant from Chhattisgarh had made it to the crucial stage of the game after answering a series of questions correctly. By the time he reached the Rs 1 crore question, however, he had already exhausted all his lifelines. With no assistance available, Sahu had to rely entirely on his own judgment before deciding whether to attempt the question or walk away with his guaranteed winnings.
The question that stumped him was: Which horse, owned by the Maharaja of Baroda, won the first Indian Derby at Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Racecourse in 1943? The four options were Princess Beautiful, Regal Domain, Star of Gwalior and Prince Pradeep.
Sahu ultimately chose to quit rather than risk his Rs 50 lakh winnings. His decision came after he used the process of elimination but ruled out Princess Beautiful, partly because the question referred to a "horse" rather than a "mare". Ironically, Princess Beautiful was the correct answer.
After the episode aired, Sahu reportedly explained that he felt the question might have been worded differently if the intended answer was a mare. His interpretation led him to dismiss the correct option, prompting discussions online about the wording of the question and the difficulty of the final challenge.
Despite missing the Rs 1 crore opportunity, Sahu's performance on KBC 18 earned attention for his academic achievements and personal journey. An IIT Bombay graduate, he had reportedly turned down an Rs 18 lakh campus placement opportunity after completing his electrical engineering degree to focus on his UPSC ambitions. His decision to pursue civil services rather than a corporate career became another talking point surrounding his appearance on the show.
Sahu's appearance also highlighted the unpredictable nature of Kaun Banega Crorepati, where even contestants with strong academic backgrounds can be challenged by questions based on subjects outside their areas of expertise. The Rs 1 crore question, centred on Indian horse-racing history, ultimately proved to be the decisive moment in his game.
While Sahu did not become a crorepati, he walked away with a substantial Rs 50 lakh and renewed public attention. His decision to quit rather than gamble his winnings also underscored the high-pressure choices contestants face on the show, particularly when no lifelines remain.
The episode has since sparked curiosity among viewers, with many revisiting the question and its answer after Sahu's unusual reasoning became known. For the IIT Bombay topper, the experience may not have ended with the Rs 1 crore prize, but his journey on KBC 18 has certainly left a lasting impression.
