Muslim woman becomes India's first millionaire on popular TV show

Delhi-based communications professional Nazia Nasim on Wednesday night became the first Muslim woman in India to get the maiden 'crorepati' title in this season's popular TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian version of British programme Who Wants to Be A Millionaire.

After crossing the milestone, Nazia also attempted the jackpot 7 crore Indian rupees question, but eventually decided to quit the show with 1 crore Indian rupees in her kitty. The ultimate question was -- "Where did Indian freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose launch his Azad Hind Force in Singapore?".

Kaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, was launched in 2000 and it has become one of the most watched shows on Indian TV over the years. Its popularity is mainly because of Bachchan, who enjoys mass appeal in India.

Contestants can win up to 7 crore Indian rupees by playing Kaun Banega Crorepati. They are asked questions one by one, and four options are given for each question, from which the correct answer must be chosen. For this, the contestants are also given four lifelines, including expert advice and video call a friend, that they can use if the answer is not known.

Moments before the episode was aired, Sony TV social media pages shared messages from crorepatis of the past, wishing Nazia "the best of luck".

Bachchan, now 78, acted in over 200 Indian films in a career spanning more than five decades. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s for films such as Zanjeer, Deewaar and Sholay, and was dubbed India's "angry young man" for his on-screen roles.

Referred to as the 'Shahenshah' of Bollywood (in reference to his 1988 film Shahenshah), Bachchan is regarded as one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema.