KBC 17: Kumar Mangalam Birla Leaves Host, Amitabh Bachchan Shocked, Says, 'Thoda Ro Raha Tha Main..'

Kumar Mangalam Birla is one of the top businessmen in India. There's barely anyone in the country who hasn't heard the name of the one and only Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Group. Recently, the billionaire made his TV debut on our favourite quiz show, Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, popularly hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. The episode aired at 9 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV, offering a glimpse into Kumar Mangalam's otherwise low-profile life. What caught viewers' attention most was when, while sharing his journey, he revealed that his father had imposed a strict condition on him before he joined the family business. 

Kumar Mangalam Birla reveals the one condition that his father gave him before allowing him to join the family business  

Those of you who follow Amitabh Bachchan's hit TV show, Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, might be aware that after returning in August this year, the show is on the final leg of its current season. In its latest episode, which aired on December 29, 2025, in a rare crossover of business leadership and mainstream entertainment, Kumar Mangalam Birla marked his first-ever television appearance on the show. During the episode, the leading Indian industrialist discussed several aspects of his life. While sharing how he got into the family business, he left the audience shocked when he revealed that his father, Aditya Vikram Birla, had set a very clear rule for him: to begin at the lowest level if he wished to join it.

It all started when host, Amitabh Bachchan, mentioned that the one thing we have learnt from his father is how one person should start from the very bottom. However, ‘Big B' notes that considering the family and environment Kumar Mangalam Birla was born into, the chances of something like this being asked of Kumar Mangalam almost felt unbelievable. When asked if Kumar Mangalam could tell KBC's viewers more about that, he responded to the same by saying: 

"Maine socha tha Amit ji ki graduation ke baad main papa ke office jaaunga aur kaam shuru karunga. Papa ne kaha ki aisa nahi ho sakta hai, tumko CA karna padega. Ab CA bahut mushkil cheez hai. At that time, I could see all my aspirations and ambitions flying out of the window. Toh main kehta raha, main MBA karunga, main CA nahi karunga." 

Kumar Mangalam Birla further revealed that his father made it clear that if he didn't become a CA, there would be no place for him to work at their family's office. Following this, while looking for a way out, he went to his grandfather, almost in tears, asking him to save him from this situation. To his disappointment, Kumar's grandfather refused to help and said that he had to do it all himself. He also received a similar response when he sought help from his mother. To quote his exact words from the show: 

"Papa ne kaha ki tum CA nahi bante ho toh iss office main tumhare liye koi kaam nahi hai. Toh main dadaji ke pass gaya, aur thoda ro raha tha main ki aap mujhe bachayiye. Dadaji ne kaha ki ismein main tumhari madad nahi kar sakta, tum karlo. Maine mummy se poocha, unhone kaha ki karna toh padega hi tumhe yaa toh ro dho ke karo yaa haste haste karo." 

Kumar Mangalam Birla talked about who his inspirations were while growing up  

Further in the episode, Amitabh Bachchan asked the Aditya Birla Group Chairman who his inspirations were when he was growing up. To this, Kumar Mangalam said that it was none other than the three elders in his family. According to him, his father, dadaji, and bade dadaji are his idols, and each of them inspired him at different stages of his life. He said: 

"Teeno apne apne samay ke digaj the, teeno ki apni apni pratibha thi, soch thi, aur teeno se maine bahot kuch sikha. Kisi ek ko chun paana mushkil he nahi naamumkin hai. Papa se maine office ki bhaag daud ko sikha, dadaji se samaj ki samjhdaari and bade dadaji se desh ke prati zimmedaari." 

Watch the clip from the show here.

Kaun Banega Crorepati marks a historic moment this year as it completes 25 years since its first episode. Amid this, what are your thoughts on special guest, Kumar Mangalam Birla revealing his father's shocking condition before entering the family business during the show's latest episode? Let us know.  

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