Why Amitabh Bachchan’s Emotional KBC Moment Could Be A Turning Point for Veganism in India

December 15, 2025

It is not very often when we get to see one of the most famous people on the planet show their vulnerability on national television over any issue, let alone a sensitive one which is impacting the globe. It is also not too often that a cinematic icon, who has worked for more than 50 years and has amassed hundreds of millions of rupees, encounters a fearless fan who educates him straightforwardly over an issue which many hesitate to speak about in public. 

But this happened a few weeks ago on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the popular TV game show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. A contestant named Siddharth Sharma talked about how he has been consistently and consciously vegan for 7 years. Sharma went on to explain the atrocities towards cows which occur when vegetarians consume dairy and believe they are animal lovers.

Bachchan, who has been honored by PETA in the past for being one of the most popular vegetarian film stars in the world, was stunned and moved by Sharma’s words. His reaction ‘I will be troubled thinking about this going home tonight’ (translated in English) might not be forgotten anytime soon.

In fact, Bachchan is one rare personality who has a fan base transcending age, geographical areas, gender and income groups. So his words could force not only the upper classes, but others too to think about their dietary choices, even if they do not consume meat or eggs.

Image Credit: The Times of India

It also helps that the episode came after the Indian government declared a massive GST relief on plant-based products across the country, for the first time in the country’s history.

So could one of those fans ask themselves - Are there any vegan milk options available online or in retail outlets for me which are affordable and available as easily? Or another might wonder - Is there any non-dairy milk which can give me calcium? Or how about a mother asking herself - Can I revamp my kitchen and recipes to make myself and my family vegan?

There could be a counter argument that someone like an Amitabh Bachchan can afford to go completely vegan because of having a team around him and the riches to make it happen. But that is just another myth. There are online vegan stores and popular retail outlets (hyperlink here) in Mumbai and other cities too, which give the best deals, so don’t miss out on your favorite milk, butter, cheese, ghee, paneer etc in its truest avatar.

Brands such as Gooddot and One Good are championing the cause of making vegan consumption budget-friendly, expanding their presence on the likes of BigBasket. It’s about researching more on the market and finalising your picks accordingly.

Image Credit: Vegan First

The irony is that some of the cheapest food items available on streets and stores alike are actually vegan by default. Think of those fruits and vegetables which our mothers or grandmothers used to feed us in childhood by hook or crook, for better growth of our bodies and minds. 

Or how about the favourite dal chawal or rajma and chole with parathas and puris? Let’s not forget our favorite street foods such as pani puris, idli, dosas, samosas and vada pavs among many. 

Apart from the reality of cow abuse being an eye opener on KBC, the episode could be a start of us realising a fact suppressed since decades by companies who seek profit over our health sell an Indian culture narrative of their own. The fact being that the most loved Indian food choices across the world have originally and inherently been vegan, other foods have just been an add on to them. 

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