Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 delivered another nail-biting moment on August 19 when Yogesh Sahu, an IIT Bombay topper and UPSC aspirant, decided to walk away with Rs 50 lakh rather than risk the Rs 1 crore question. With all his lifelines exhausted, Sahu was asked which horse owned by the Maharaja of Baroda won the first Indian Derby at Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse in 1943. The options were Princess Beautiful, Regal Domain, Star of Gwalior and Prince Pradeep.
Sahu admitted that he had never read about the first Indian Derby and tried to arrive at the answer through elimination. He eventually became doubtful about Princess Beautiful, reasoning that the question might have specifically referred to a “mare” if the option was correct. With no lifelines left and the stakes high, he chose to quit.
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In this season of KBC, a young man named Yogesh Sahu, who was preparing for UPSC, came and was already an IITian.
When he was asked the question of Rs 1 crore, he quit and had to settle for Rs 50 lakh only. But he had an objection to his quit question.
It so happened that the question… pic.twitter.com/Qu9RSWF2RY
— Pathshala GuruG (@pathshalagurug) August 21, 2026
Amitabh Bachchan Reveals The Rs 1 Crore Answer
After Sahu left the game, Amitabh Bachchan revealed that the correct answer was Princess Beautiful. Sahu was asked to make a guess and chose Prince Pradeep, only to learn that the answer he had eliminated was actually correct. Amitabh Bachchan then explained the wording, pointing out that Princess Beautiful was a mare.
The horse had been owned by Maharaja Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad of Baroda and had an impressive racing record. Princess Beautiful won the Indian 1000 Guineas, Indian 2000 Guineas and the inaugural Indian Derby.
Who Is Yogesh Sahu? IIT Topper Chasing UPSC Dream
Sahu’s KBC journey was also shaped by his decision to prioritise his UPSC ambition over a lucrative corporate career. The IIT Bombay topper had previously revealed that he turned down a campus placement offer worth Rs 18 lakh a year to continue preparing for the civil services examination.
His father, who accompanied him on the show, spoke about the family’s financial circumstances, saying he earns around Rs 20,000 a month. Sahu said the family had nevertheless encouraged him to continue studying and supported his dream of becoming an IAS officer.
KBC 18 Returns With Amitabh Bachchan
Hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 premiered on August 10. The season features a maximum prize of Rs 7 crore, with contestants progressing through 16 questions and gaining access to additional lifelines as the game advances.
For Sahu, Rs 50 lakh may not have been the Rs 1 crore jackpot, but his decision also meant walking away with a life-changing sum rather than gambling it on a question he could not confidently answer.
Shiwani works as a Senior Sub Editor at NewsX, covering the entertainment beat. With a strong background in media, she is a true cinema buff who loves keeping up with the latest in pop culture and lifestyle trends. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Shiwani followed her passion and pursued a Master’s in Journalism from IIMC, choosing the road less travelled.
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