Kumar Mangalam Birla was asked 'which of his 3 kids he love the most' in KBC, Watch Birla's unexpected reply in front of Big B

The latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 17 featured Indian billionaire businessman and Aditya Birla Group chairperson Kumar Mangalam Birla in a special appearance. He took the hot seat alongside his family and shared several personal moments from his life and career.

During the episode, an audience member asked Birla which of his three children he was closest to. The question prompted an immediate reaction from the business leader, who responded with humour before answering.

Kumar Mangalam Birla faced an unexpected question:

Birla first asked the man whether he had children of his own. When the audience member replied in the affirmative, Birla quipped, “Then how can you ask me this question?” The remark drew laughter from the audience and host Amitabh Bachchan.


He then went on to give a direct and clear response, saying, “Main teeno ke bahut kareeb hoon. I am very proud of them,” indicating that he shares an equally close bond with all his children. Birla was accompanied on the show by his wife Neerja Birla and daughters Advaitesha Birla and Ananya Birla. The moment stood out as one of the more personal segments of the episode, offering viewers a glimpse into the otherwise private family life of the industrialist.

Watch the moment here:

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During the episode, Birla spoke about his family journey, including the emotional phase following the loss of his father Aditya Kumar Birla, and his close bond with his grandfather Basant Kumar Birla, popularly known as B.K. Birla.

Birla on ties between Birla and Tata families

Birla faced a Rs 2,00,000 question during the show which asked about Ratan Tata’s academic background. The question was whether Ratan Tata graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Architecture, Engineering, Law or Economics.

Birla selected Architecture as the answer, which was correct. Following the explanation, host Amitabh Bachchan asked Birla about the relationship between the Birla and Tata families. Speaking on the show, Kumar Mangalam Birla said the two families have shared a close relationship over generations.

“Amit ji humare parivaar aur Tata parivaar mein bahot he kareebi ka rishta raha hai. JRD Tata aur mera bade dadaji mitra the. Ek samay tha jab Birla family had more shares in some Tata companies than Tata themselves. Itne bharose ka sambandh tha dono parivaaron ke beech,” he said. He added that Ratan Tata and his father Aditya Kumar Birla were also close friends.

“Papa ke antim sankaar ke waqt woh humare saath the aur unhone mujhe kaha ke, ‘Always remember you have a friend in me’,” Birla recalled. Birla described Ratan Tata as a great humanitarian and said that with his passing last year, India lost a true son of the nation.

Amitabh's anecdote about Ratan Tata brought laughter

Bachchan also narrated a humorous incident involving Ratan Tata. He recalled that Tata would often insist on others going ahead of him, even in waiting areas. “Main mazak mazak mein bolta tha ‘Ratan ji Age Before Beauty’,” Bachchan said, leaving everyone on set laughing.

Birla also shared an incident from a public event where Ratan Tata admitted to feeling nervous before speaking on stage. When Birla pointed out that Tata had delivered many speeches, Tata responded that public speaking had always made him nervous. Amitabh Bachchan also described Ratan Tata as an incredible human being who lived a simple life and never made others feel his stature.

(With TOI inputs)