Sonali Bendre steps into Marathi KBC after Nana Patekar, 75, dies

The premiere of Sony Marathi’s Kon Honar Crorepati was meant to reunite Madhuri Dixit with Nana Patekar, her Wajood co-star. Instead, the season opener on Monday, October 12 will pair Madhuri with Sonali Bendre on screen for the first time.

A last-minute change after a passing

Nana Patekar, who died on October 8 at 75, was scheduled to shoot the opening episode that Thursday. With his death, the show moved quickly: Sonali Bendre now takes the hot seat, playing for the Happy Pet Foundation.

Madhuri, who takes over as host, paid tribute on Instagram, writing that the industry had lost “a great artist, a powerful personality and an unforgettable voice”.

Why the opener matters

This is a new phase for the Marathi quiz show, which is being led by a female host for the first time. It arrives under the tagline “Aata Khel Badalnaar”, or “Now, the game will change”.

• Premieres Monday, October 12 at 9 PM on Sony Marathi and Sony LIV.
• Sonali Bendre appears as the first guest, playing for animal welfare.
• The episode is the first on-screen appearance for Madhuri and Sonali together.

The episode also leans personal. Madhuri and Sonali are set to discuss managing a household and sharing responsibilities, with Sonali sharing that her mother-in-law never lets her work in the kitchen.

For Madhuri, the pairing is also a small celebration. She said the two had never done a film together, and called the moment “never too late”. Sonali, a long-time admirer, said she had always expected Madhuri to be a warm host, and added that she hoped someone would write something for the two of them.

A legacy in the frame

The changed opener arrives amid renewed attention on Nana Patekar’s career, which stretched from Marathi and Hindi drama to popular commercial cinema. His list of credits includes Parinda, Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Ab Tak Chhappan and Welcome, along with three National Film Awards and a Padma Shri.

The new season is set to include several well-known personalities from Maharashtra in the coming months.

Source: Hindustan Times