Sony TV has sensationally apologised for what it said was an ‘inaccurate reference to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during Wednesday’s KBC episode hosted by Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan. The channel’s extraordinary apology came after Twitterati trended hashtag #Boycott_KBC_SonyTV on the microblogging site.
The channel took to Twitter to issue a public apology. It wrote, “There was an inaccurate reference to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during Wednesday’s KBC episode, due to inadvertence. We deeply regret the same and being mindful of the sentiments of our viewers have carried a scroll expressing regret during our episode yesterday. #KBC11.”
There was an inaccurate reference to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during Wednesday’s KBC episode, due to inadvertence. We deeply regret the same and being mindful of the sentiments of our viewers have carried a scroll expressing regret during our episode yesterday. #KBC11 pic.twitter.com/FLtSAt9HuN
— Sony TV (@SonyTV) November 8, 2019
Thousands of Twitter users had expressed their displeasure on the popular quiz show’s decision to refer Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as just Shivaji in one of the questions on the show while addressing Mughal ruler Aurangzeb as ’emperor.’ The controversial question had read, “Which of these rulers was the contemporary of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb?” The options were Maharana Pratap, Rana Sanga, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Shivaji.
Furious users took to Twitter demanding a boycott of Sony TV.
KBC, your computer is still illiterate to refer Mughal as Samrat and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as ‘Shivaji’. Pl get some made in India, it might help you definitely.. pic.twitter.com/mCw77CUHpc
— HinduChitra (@pandharichitra) November 8, 2019
#Boycott_KBC_SonyTv I was a big fan of @SrBachchan and regular viewer of @SonyTV but not anymore…
You are not bigger than Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj pic.twitter.com/iqScdLDw2Y— Swapnil Bhosale? (@s3630) November 8, 2019
#Boycott_KBC_SonyTv
Doing such is nothing but supporting wrong and disrespecting right for which we have to pay. So wake up just for money and entertainment dont forget what is right and what is worng. Open ur eyes dont act blind. pic.twitter.com/plAWvabbSQ— teena khera (@teenakhera) November 8, 2019
Mentioning Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as just ‘Shivaji’ is an insult to the great Maratha Warrior.pic.twitter.com/QCkq2OevHy pic.twitter.com/rFRu2kSWxe
— Saloni Singh (@salonisingh003) November 8, 2019
#Boycott_KBC_SonyTv
This is really sad. The one who did so much sacrifices and what we are returning to him?
This is justified? This is what we are suppose to do? pic.twitter.com/mBF9MOkhlm— teena khera (@teenakhera) November 8, 2019
Sony TV’s KBC is in its 11th edition and is hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.