Runa Saha, first contestant to sit directly on 'KBC's hot-seat

KBC 12 has some major changes in its format owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the changes is that instead of 10 contestants, only eight play the Fastest Finger First round, so that social distancing norms can be followed.

This week, it so happened that seven out of eight contestants got eliminated by Thursday, earning Runa a direct ticket to the hot seat.

Just as host Amitabh Bachchan called Runa to play the game, she got emotional. Big B comforted the contestant, saying that it's not the time to cry.

Runa broke down as she had been trying for KBC since 2001. She told Bachchan she had decided if she failed to make it to the hot seat, she would never pray to God or watch TV.

A mother of 20-year-old Debasreeta, Runa runs a saree business in Kolkata along with her sister-in-law.

She felt the game show will not only help her earn money, but also respect in the eyes of her family. She said she wanted to buy a luxury car for her husband.

She had won Rs. 10,000 last night, and will continue tonight as the roll-over contestant.

KBC 12 premiered on television on September 28.

This season will reportedly have 95 episodes, spanning a period of 19 weeks.

You can catch the show from Monday to Friday at 9 pm on Sony TV. The game show can also be viewed on the SonyLIV app or on the website sonyliv.com.