Kaun Banega Crorepati 17: Kumar Mangalam Birla shares emotional journey after father’s demise; host Amitabh Bachchan reveals strong ties with Birla family

The latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 was graced by business tycoon Kumar Mangalam Birla. The Indian billionaire businessman and Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Group, Kumar Mangalam Birla not only took the hot seat but also made his first-ever appearance on a television show. His daughter Advaitesha, and Ananya and wife Neerja accompanied him on the show. From opening up about the emotional phase after losing his father Aditya Kumar Birla to his bond with his great grandfather and kids, Mr. Birla spoke about many lesser known aspects of his life. Let's take a look at the highlights of the episode. (Photo: Instagram)

In the beginning of the episode, host Amitabh Bachchan asked Kumar Mangalam Birla about what took him so long to come on the show. He replied, "I was scared of what you'd think if I got even one answer wrong." The business tycoon's daughter Ananya revealed that he has been preparing to be on the show for the last three weeks and they felt their dad is back to school. She said, "He was brushing up his GK and all school books were open again." (Photo: Instagram)

Big B spoke about the Birla family and shared that they honour poets and writers, adding that he has personally attended one of their functions. He shared, "The last time I was invited to Kolkata for an event. After the event BK Birla uncle told me, "You must come home for a meal". So we went home and everyone was chatting and having food. He used to have this guest book wherein every guest who had come over would sign in it. It had signatures of many stalwarts. He opened one page and said, "Look this is your father's autograph." It was very old, I guess from the 1950s. He told me, "Today, I want you to sign, right next to your father's signature. It was a very proud moment for me." (Photo: Instagram)

During the episode, Kumar Mangalam Birla opened up about the most emotional phase of his life when he lost his father Aditya Kumar Birla. He was barely 28 years old. He said, "Amitji, as you can imagine, I was very scared and everything was new for me. I'd recite Hanuman Chalisa thrice every day. I'd write Ram Ram on post-its and stick them on the wall. Three walls in my room were full of Post-its. But I had some strength also. I had a good education. I had an MBA. I was a CA. I had worked very closely with Dad for about four years. So I never felt that everything would get ruined. I had the strength as well as the passion to take the business forward. It takes time to build credibility." Big B informed him that his grandmother also maintained a diary in which she wrote Ram Ram when Aditya Kumar Birla fell ill. (Photo: Instagram)

Talking about his bond with his grandfather, Kumar Mangalam Birla shared, "Amitji, you would know, after Dad left, he imparted strength and courage to me. He was also happy to ease some of my workload. But at that time, he was already 70. He had his own obligations and he used to work from 9 am to 6 PM, daily. I didn't think it was right to burden him at the time. But he was always there. After my grandfather passed away, when I opened his cupboard, I saw there were only 2-3 kurta, dhotis, three suits and a watch. He was a textile baron but he lived a very simple life. He was like a saint." (Photo: Instagram)

The makers of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, gave audiences a chance to question the business tycoon about his likes and dislikes. When one of the audience members asked him about who he feels closest to amongst his three kids. He replied with a smile and asked him, “Do you have kids?” When the man said yes, Birla said, “Then how can you ask me this question?” He ended the answer by saying, "I am closest to all three and proud of them." When he was asked if he has ever been schooled by his wife and kids for not giving them enough time due to business. His response left everyone in splits of laughter. He said, "They are more busy than me. But we spend our Sundays together." On being asked if he ever enters the kitchen, he says, "I went into the kitchen last night to find something sweet to it. I can't cook but I often go to look for chocolates." Rasgulla and Sandesh are his favourite sweets. (Photo: Instagram)

During one of the segments, Kumar Mangalam Birla shared an interesting anecdote with host Amitabh Bachchan and also tested his memory. He revealed when he was around 11-12 year-old. he was staying in the same hotel in Kashmir where Big B was also staying during 1978. He said, "We are excited beyond imagination and we knew you would be shooting for a film. We reached the sets of your film the next day, I still remember the scene you shot for, I even took your autograph, it is one of the most precious things for me. That was the first time I was in person." Birla then asked him to guess the movie and revealed it was the film Mr. Natwarlal. (Photo: Instagram)

Kumar Mangalam Birla's family spoke about his hard work, resilience and how he took the business to new heights. His son Aryaman Vikram Birla said, "People often ask me about my equation with my father in the office. He is the same caring father whether in the office or at home. Even in the office, when a meeting is going on, or whatever he makes it a point to come at least three to four times a day to check on me. He checks if I had my lunch. Every day at 7 PM, he messages me 'Have you eaten dinner, eat on time, eat properly. He always asks me to enjoy my work. When he took over the group, he was under a lot of stress under very different circumstances. So, when my sisters and I started coming into work, he was very clear and told us to enjoy our work. He told us to make sure everything, you do comes from a place of passion." (Photo: Instagram)

He is very protective. I study abroad, so he calls me five times a day. He gets stressed. I am fine but he gets stressed easily. We both are very fond of art and I love painting. Many times when we sit together, we both paint a little. That is the common interest. His elder daughter Ananya Birla thanked him for being an amazing father. She revealed that he always let her take her own decisions and always trusted her. He has always supported her and advised her that there are no shortcuts in life. She requested Big B to make her father Kumar Mangalam Birla sing. He sang, "Jidhar dekhun teri tasveer'. (Photo: Instagram)

One of the highlights of the episode was when Mr. Birla's wife Neerja revealed details about their personal life. When Amitabh Bachchan asked her about the biggest complaint she has from Birla, she says, "Agar ek ho tab toh main bataun. Puri kitaab likh doon, main kahan se shuru karoon aur kahan khatam karun. Ek toh ye sunte ek dum nahi hai....If you say anything, his mind is somewhere else. So you have to keep repeating things. Then he asks the same question, and I give the same answer. Then after five days, he will say you didn't tell me." The revelation left everyone in splits of laughter, including his daughters and host Big B. She added, "Then I remind him, remember we talked about this 5 days ago, then he blames me of not remembering things. It's a constant banter between us. These days sometimes I write and message it to him and say look I've sent it. Then he doesn't have anything to reply." (Photo: Instagram)

In the episode, Mr. Bachchan revealed that Kumar Mangalam Birla has preserved a very sweet memory of his grandfather, Mr BK Birla. A special letter which Mr GD Birla wrote to Mr BK Birla in 1934. Host Amitabh Bachchan read the letter for the audience. Mr Birla said, "Amit ji this letter is like a family treasure and the warmth of this letter has increased hearing it in your voice. Grandpa lived every word of this letter. He lived a very simple. disciplined life. The spirit of the letter reflects in the roots of our family. I spent a lot of time with my great grandfather. I was 15 when he passed away. We would spend 2-3 hours on Sundays and we would watch films. He was my best friend. We once went to aquarium. I had some wonderful memories with my great grandfather. I was very blessed to have him in my life." (Photo: Instagram)