The seventeenth season of the iconic quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati witnessed a landmark episode, featuring industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla in the hot seat. This marked the Aditya Birla Group Chairman's maiden television appearance, where he shared deeply personal stories, including the emotional turmoil following his father's death and his family's multi-generational bond with host Amitabh Bachchan.
An Emotional Recollection: Coping with Loss and Responsibility
In one of the most poignant segments, Kumar Mangalam Birla opened up about the challenging period after his father, Aditya Kumar Birla, passed away. He was only 28 years old at the time. Birla revealed that he turned to faith for strength, reciting the Hanuman Chalisa thrice daily. He also wrote 'Ram Ram' on numerous post-it notes, covering three walls of his room with them.
Despite the fear and new responsibilities, he drew strength from his education—being an MBA and a Chartered Accountant—and the four years of working closely with his father. Bachchan added a touching detail, sharing that his own grandmother maintained a diary where she wrote 'Ram Ram' when Aditya Kumar Birla was ill.
Bachchan's Historic Family Connection with the Birlas
Amitabh Bachchan unveiled a long-standing personal connection between the Bachchan and Birla families. He recalled being invited to the Birla home in Kolkata after an event, where the late B.K. Birla showed him a guest book. In it, Bachchan discovered his father, the renowned poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan's, signature from the 1950s. He was then asked to sign his own name next to his father's, a moment he described as profoundly proud.
Adding to this nostalgia, Birla shared a childhood memory of meeting Bachchan. When he was 11-12 years old in Kashmir, he visited the film set where Bachchan was shooting for 'Mr. Natwarlal' in 1978 and secured an autograph he still treasures.
Family Revelations: From Kitchen Raids to Protective Calls
The episode offered a rare glimpse into Birla's family life. His wife, Neerja Birla, humorously complained to Bachchan that her husband doesn't listen, leading to constant, light-hearted banter. His children—son Aryaman and daughters Ananya and Advaitesha—shared heartfelt anecdotes.
Ananya revealed her father prepared for KBC for three weeks, revisiting school books to brush up his general knowledge. Advaitesha mentioned her father's protective nature, calling her five times a day while she studies abroad. Aryaman highlighted his father's consistent care, whether at home or the office, including daily reminders to eat dinner on time.
When asked by an audience member which child he feels closest to, Birla deftly turned the question around, ultimately stating he is closest to all three. He also confessed to frequent kitchen visits, not to cook, but to hunt for chocolates, naming Rasgulla and Sandesh as his favourite sweets.
A Legacy of Simplicity and a Treasured Letter
Birla spoke fondly of his grandfather, B.K. Birla, describing him as a source of strength who lived with remarkable simplicity despite being a textile baron. After his grandfather's passing, Birla found only a few kurtas, dhotis, suits, and a watch in his cupboard.
The emotional high point was when Amitabh Bachchan read aloud a letter written by G.D. Birla to B.K. Birla in 1934, which Kumar Mangalam Birla preserves as a family treasure. Birla expressed that hearing the letter in Bachchan's voice added warmth to its words, which he felt his grandfather lived by every day. He also shared cherished memories of his great-grandfather, whom he considered a best friend during his childhood.
The episode, aired on December 30, 2025, seamlessly wove together business legacy, personal vulnerability, and intergenerational bonds, offering viewers an intimate portrait of one of India's most prominent industrialists.
