KBC 16: Young entrepreneur dealing with diamonds impresses Amitabh Bachchan with business acumen

Kaun Banega Crorepati 16

The latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16 kicked off with host Amitabh Bachchan conducting the Fastest Finger First round, where Jeelkumar Bharodiya from Surat secured his spot in the hot seat. Jeelkumar , an IIM Bengaluru student and entrepreneur, impressed Mr. Bachchan with his journey. The host revealed that Jeelkumar started his business at just 17 years old.

A short video showcased his inspiring story, highlighting his entrepreneurial ventures—beginning with his father’s diamond business, followed by textiles, and later, manufacturing sanitary pads. The contestant aims to support his family and finance his education through his participation in Kaun Banega Crorepati 16. Notably, he cleared the IIM entrance exam on his first attempt.

Jeelkumar then faced the Super Sawaal question: Who is the captain of the Indian men's T20 side? He answered Hardik Pandya, but the correct answer was Suryakumar Yadav. Unfortunately, his incorrect response meant that he missed out on earning the special superpower Dugnastraa.

Jeelkumar shared with host Amitabh Bachchan that his first textile business taught him the significance of a strong personality. Initially, he would meet clients without considering his appearance, but he soon realized that his youthful look made it difficult for people to take him seriously. This realization prompted him to pay more attention to his dressing, grooming, and footwear to leave a lasting impression.

Jeelkumar then shed light on the sharp instincts of Indian consumers in the apparel industry, pointing out the high return ratio, as many people tend to return clothes after wearing them. With a playful remark directed at the studio audience, he joked that many of them, despite applauding now, must have done it at least once. His witty take on the matter left host Amitabh Bachchan in fits of laughter.

After successfully establishing his textile business, Jeelkumar expanded into the sanitary pads industry, which proved to be a thriving venture. He highlighted that their brand offers cotton sanitary pads at more affordable rates than other brands, aiming to provide middle-class families with access to high-quality hygiene products. Passionate about entrepreneurship, he shared his experience of managing multiple businesses over time. Advising young entrepreneurs, he stressed the importance of recognizing the fine line between aspiration and desperation.

The contestant faced a tough question for ₹1,60,000: "Both the Sabarmati and Banas rivers originate from which mountain range?" Unsure of the answer, he opted for the 'Audience Poll' lifeline. Based on the majority vote, he selected Option C) Aravalli and secured the amount.

Jeelkumar then confidently answered the ₹3,20,000 question and shared an emotional moment with Amitabh Bachchan. He revealed that he planned to give the winnings to his father, whose diamond business has been struggling due to the rising demand for synthetic diamonds. Touched by his thoughtful gesture, Big B applauded his deep respect and support for his parents.

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Jeelkumar then proceeded to the Super Sandook round, where he successfully answered six questions and earned ₹60,000. He chose to use this amount to revive his 'Ask the Audience' lifeline, ensuring he had an extra safety net for upcoming questions.

In a heartwarming moment, Jeelkumar shared his noble decision—since the Super Sandook round had 10 questions, he pledged to provide free sanitary pads for life to 10 women and also sponsor their education.

Amitabh Bachchan, deeply moved by his generosity, praised him with a lighthearted remark, saying, "Sir, aap dhanda bahot accha karte hain."

For ₹6,40,000, the contestant used the 'Audience Poll' lifeline for the question: "According to the Mahabharata, what name did Atiratha and Radha give Karna when he was found floating in the river?" After much thought, he decided to go with the most voted Option B) Vasushena, which turned out to be the correct answer.

Next, he faced the ₹12,50,000 question: "What was the name of the Chandrayaan-3 lander that soft-landed on the moon?" Jeelkumar used the 'Double Dip' lifeline and selected Option A) Vikram, which was correct.

During his conversation with Jeelkumar , Big B asked him about his role models in business. The contestant said that rather than idolizing one person, he prefers to learn from multiple successful figures. He named three individuals he looks up to, with Amitabh Bachchan being one of them.

Big B humorously responded, "Galat aadmi chuna hai aapne, bilkul dhandha karna humko aata he nahi hai." However, Jeelkumar expressed admiration for the veteran actor’s unwavering dedication, saying, "Main apne aap ko bayasi saal ka imagine bhi nahi kar paa raha hoon, aur aap kaam kar rahe hain. Mere toh saath saal ka hi planning hai."

Jeelkumar also spoke highly of his father, praising his resilience and never-give-up attitude, especially amid the challenges in the diamond industry. He said he has learned valuable lessons from Mahabharata and appreciates the strategic thinking of Shakuni Mama and Lord Krishna.

The contestant asked Amitabh Bachchan how he spends his free time. The actor replied, "Sir, main aapko bataun, ek khel hai KBC, wohi khelte rehta hoon free time mein. Sach batayein, humare paas koi free time hota nahi hai. Janta baithi hoti hai, baat-waat karenge, yahi humare liye urja hai."

For ₹25,00,000, Jeelkumar faced the question: "After which scholar is the central library of Aligarh Muslim University named?" Using the 'Video Call A Friend' lifeline, he selected Option B) Maulana Azad, which was correct. He received a standing ovation from the studio audience.

His final question was: "Taking its name from the local language for 'stone houses,' what is the name of the National Monument seen in this image, that gives its name to a country?" After much deliberation, he decided to quit the show. Before leaving, he took a guess and selected Option D) Great Zimbabwe, which turned out to be correct.

Jeelkumar took home ₹25,00,000, earning applause for his knowledge, generosity, and entrepreneurial spirit.