Maharashtra Farmer Wins Rs 50 Lakh on KBC After 7 Years of Dedicated Preparation Despite Hardships

Kailash Kuntewar successfully answered 14 questions correctly, winning Rs 50 lakhs in KBC season 17.

A Maharashtra farmer whose crops were destroyed by floods has found a remarkable new beginning through Amitabh Bachchan's popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).

Kailash Kuntewar, a small-scale farmer from Paithan town in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, claimed a prize of Rs 50 lakh on the renowned television program after correctly answering 14 challenging questions.

Kuntewar owns a modest two acres of farmland and resides with his parents, spouse, and children. Throughout the years, he has endured numerous challenges including drought, floods, and crop failures, often compelling him to work as a laborer on other farmers' lands. Despite these hardships, one aspiration continuously motivated him – to one day appear on the KBC stage.

"Expressing the happiness of winning Rs 50 lakh is beyond my capacity," Kuntewar shared with NDTV. "For people in our situation, even hearing about such an amount seems like a fantasy."

He reflected on how his KBC journey began years ago.

His path started in 2015 when he purchased his first mobile phone. "I've always excelled in academics since childhood and possessed the ability to remember everything I read or heard," he explained. "After buying a mobile phone in 2015, I began watching KBC episodes on YouTube. Initially, I thought it was merely entertainment. I never imagined someone could earn money by answering questions."

His perspective shifted in 2018 after seeing a contestant from Hingoli district participating on the show. "I searched for him on Facebook, located his number, and contacted him. He confirmed it was all genuine, that knowledge could actually translate into monetary rewards."

From that moment, Kuntewar committed himself to learning. "Even after exhausting hours of farm work, I would return home and dedicate at least an hour to watching general knowledge content on YouTube. This became my daily routine," he said. "Eventually, that consistent practice helped me reach my current position."

After seven years of persistent dedication, his efforts culminated in success when he finally reached the KBC hot seat and won Rs 50 lakh.

When asked about his plans for the prize money, Kuntewar responded, "We'll consider our options carefully before making any decisions. Our children's education will remain our highest priority. Once that's secured, we'll explore other possibilities."

Kuntewar typically earns approximately Rs 3,000 monthly. As a cricket enthusiast, he dreams of nurturing his two sons into professional cricketers.

Kuntewar successfully navigated through 14 questions, securing Rs 50 lakhs. Everything proceeded smoothly until the 15th question worth Rs 1 crore appeared. Kuntewar first utilized the "Video Call a Friend" lifeline. Even with assistance, he remained uncertain about the answer. He then employed the 50-50 lifeline. Still lacking confidence, he ultimately decided to quit, walking away with Rs 50 lakhs from KBC season 17.