Daijiworld Media Network – Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Oct 5: A small farmer from Paithan town in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district of Maharashtra has turned personal misfortune into triumph on Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). Kailash Kuntewar, who lost his crops to floods, won Rs 50 lakh on the popular quiz show by correctly answering 14 questions.

Kuntewar, who owns just two acres of land, lives with his parents, wife, and children. Over the years, he faced repeated setbacks including droughts, floods, and crop failures, often working as a labourer on other farms. Yet, he nurtured a dream of appearing on the KBC stage.

“The joy of winning Rs 50 lakh is beyond words. For people like us, even hearing about such an amount feels unbelievable,” Kuntewar told NDTV. His journey began in 2015 when he bought his first mobile phone and started watching KBC episodes on YouTube. Initially, he thought the show was mere entertainment, but seeing a contestant from Hingoli in 2018 inspired him to pursue it seriously.

Determined to prepare, Kuntewar devoted time to learning, spending at least an hour every day after long farm labour watching general knowledge shows online. That seven-year dedication finally bore fruit when he reached the KBC hot seat this year.

On the show, Kuntewar cleared 14 questions to secure Rs 50 lakh. Facing the 15th question for Rs 1 crore, he used the “Video Call a Friend” and 50-50 lifelines but remained unsure, ultimately choosing to quit and walk away with his winnings.

Reflecting on his future plans, Kuntewar said, “We’ll think calmly before deciding anything. Our children’s education will always be the top priority. Once that’s secure, we’ll see what else we can do.” Earning around Rs 3,000 a month, he dreams of turning his two sons into cricketers and hopes the prize will help realise that ambition.