Madhuri Dixit has judged dance shows for years. Tonight, she takes on a very different job. Kon Honar Crorepati, the Marathi adaptation of Kaun Banega Crorepati, premieres on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 9 PM on Sony Marathi and SonyLIV, with Madhuri as host for the first time. Her first guest on the hot seat will be Sonali Bendre, in a premiere that has been reshaped by the death of Nana Patekar.
Sonali Bendre on the hot seat
According to The Celebrity Hour, citing coverage from Bollywood Hungama and Moneycontrol, Sonali will play the opening episode in support of the Happy Pet Foundation, reflecting her interest in animal welfare. Surprisingly, it is the first time the two actors are sharing the screen: despite long careers in Hindi cinema, they have never appeared in a film together.
The premiere is pitched as a conversation as much as a quiz. The same report says the two talk about managing a household and sharing responsibilities, and that Sonali reveals her mother-in-law does not let her work in the kitchen. They already know each other off screen, too: Sonali has said their sons attend the same school.
The Nana Patekar connection
The episode was originally meant to look very different. Dainik Jagran English reported that Nana Patekar was scheduled to appear on the premiere, with the shoot planned for the weekend, but plans changed after his death on October 8 at the age of 75. Madhuri and Nana had worked together in the 1998 film Wajood, so the appearance would have been a reunion.
Madhuri paid tribute to him on social media, remembering him as a great artist with a powerful personality and an unforgettable voice, according to the same report. We looked back at his life and the industry's response in "Nana Patekar Tributes: Salman Khan's 'Rest in Peace Bhau', Amitabh, Anil Kapoor and SRK Remember a Friend."
Madhuri's KBC warm-up with Amitabh Bachchan
Madhuri has had a fitting run-up to her debut. The Indian Express reported that she joined Amitabh Bachchan for a special birthday-week episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 around his 84th birthday on October 11. "Walking onto that set to celebrate a milestone birthday for the man who has defined Indian cinema for generations was deeply humbling," she said, adding that his true power lies in the way he "makes everyone on that hotseat feel like family." She will now be trying to do the same in Marathi.
A new season, and new partners
Dainik Jagran English describes this as the eighth season of Kon Honar Crorepati. The campaign carries the tagline "Aata Khel Badalnaar," meaning "Now, the game will change," according to The Celebrity Hour.
Mauve reported that ChatGPT has joined the season as Co-Presenting Partner, alongside Vijay Sales, Campure and Lyra. Sheeladitya Mohanty, Head of Marketing – India at OpenAI, said the integration, framed around the idea of a "Vichaar Saathi" or companion to thought, positions the AI as "an aid that extends people's knowledge while preserving their judgement." Ranjana Mangla of Sony Pictures Networks India described the show as an important milestone in the network's regional expansion, according to the same report.
Where and when to watch
Kon Honar Crorepati premieres on October 12, 2026, at 9 PM on Sony Marathi and streams on SonyLIV. The Celebrity Hour reports that it will air from Monday to Saturday.
For Madhuri, who became a household name through films such as Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Dil To Pagal Hai and Devdas, it is a homecoming of sorts: a Marathi show, for a Marathi audience, with the actress at the centre of the game.
FAQ
When does Kon Honar Crorepati start?
It premieres on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 9 PM on Sony Marathi and SonyLIV.
Who is the host of Kon Honar Crorepati 2026?
Madhuri Dixit, hosting the Marathi quiz show for the first time.
Who is the first guest on Kon Honar Crorepati?
Sonali Bendre, who plays for the Happy Pet Foundation, according to reports.
Was Nana Patekar supposed to appear on the show?
Yes. He was reportedly scheduled for the premiere episode before his death on October 8, 2026.
Cover photo: Bollywood Hungama / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0