Amitabh Bachchan opened up about an unexpected chapter from his student years on ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 18’. The veteran actor spoke about his academic experience and remembered a time when he struggled with a science examination.During the conversation, Amitabh Bachchan also revealed that joining the Indian Foreign Service had once crossed his mind. He made the revelation while interacting with contestant Pragati Kalpekar, who spoke about her own ambition of becoming an IFS officer.

Amitabh Bachchan recalls his academic struggle

Amitabh Bachchan remembered the expectations his father, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, had regarding education. He said his father considered completing graduation an important milestone. The actor recalled choosing science during his student years. However, his experience in the classroom soon made him question that decision. “Jaise humarein zamane mein mere babuji bolte thein ki graduation karna bohot zaruri hain aur kya hain humne science liya tha aur vaha pehla joh lecture tha, usmein joh school main, 10 saal mein pada tha voh pura cover hogaya aur laga galti kardi subject leke aur exam mein fail hogaye fir voh joh hota hain ATKT mein 2 point se pass hogaye, batana mat kisisko.” (“Back in our time, my father used to say that completing graduation was very important. I had taken science, and in the very first lecture, everything I had studied in school over 10 years was covered. I felt I had made a mistake by choosing that subject and ended up failing the exam. Then, through what we called ATKT, I managed to pass by just two marks. Don’t tell anyone.”) Amitabh Bachchan’s anecdote revealed that he eventually managed to clear the examination through ATKT, passing by only two marks. He shared the memory in a light-hearted manner while discussing his younger days.

Actor reveals IFS was once an ambition

The conversation then moved towards the Indian Foreign Service. Pragati Kalpekar told Amitabh Bachchan that she wanted to continue her education and eventually become an IFS officer. Her ambition reminded the actor of an idea he had considered during his own youth. Amitabh Bachchan said he had once thought about pursuing the Foreign Service.“Aise bohot saare contestants aate hain joh bolte hain, unhe UPSC ka exam dena hain. Foreign service ek bohot heen khubsurat jaga hoti hain aur ek baat main bhi bata duh ki, ek zamane mein humare dil mein bhi yeh baat jagi thi ki hum IFS kare lekin hume IFS ka I bhi nahi aata tha isliye humne haar manli and aur woh chodh diya.” (“Many contestants come here saying that they want to appear for the UPSC examination. The Foreign Service is a very beautiful field. And let me tell you something: there was a time when I too had the thought of pursuing the IFS. But I didn’t even know the ‘I’ of IFS, so I gave up and abandoned the idea.”) The actor explained that his limited understanding of the field eventually made him abandon the plan. He shared the anecdote while encouraging the contestant to pursue her goal.

Pragati Kalpekar talks about becoming an IFS officer

Pragati Kalpekar spoke about her plans while discussing how she intended to use her prize money. She told Amitabh Bachchan that education remained one of her priorities. “Sir, main aage meri padhai continue karna chahungi, main IFS banana chahti hoon, Indian Foreign Service. Matalab meri iccha hain ki main IFS banu kyuki usmein aapko maroon passport milta hain and diplomat likha hota hain, Sir.” (“Sir, I want to continue my studies. I want to become an IFS officer, the Indian Foreign Service. It has always been my wish to become an IFS officer because you get a maroon passport, and it says ‘Diplomat’ on it, Sir.”)

Amitabh Bachchan reflects on younger days

Amitabh Bachchan’s recollection offered a glimpse into his life before he became one of India’s most celebrated actors. His comments also showed that his career aspirations were not always centred on cinema. The actor has frequently shared personal anecdotes on ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’. His interactions with contestants often lead him to revisit memories from different stages of his life. This time, a contestant’s ambition provided the starting point for him to recall his own academic difficulties and an abandoned career plan.Amitabh Bachchan continues to host ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 18’, the latest season of the long-running quiz show. On the work front, he was last seen in ‘Vettaiyaan’.