In a heartfelt episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16 on Monday night, government school teacher Rahul Sharma took to the hot seat, recounting his challenging journey to becoming a teacher. Rahul, a mathematics teacher, revealed that despite failing in the subject himself during class 12, he fought his way back into academics, inspired by his father’s dreams for him. Host Amitabh Bachchan engaged in a warm conversation with Rahul, who shared stories of perseverance, setbacks, and eventual success. However, Rahul’s journey on the show met an unexpected hurdle as he stumbled on a question worth ₹12,50,000 about Jawaharlal Nehru.
Overcoming Early Setbacks to Achieve His Dream
Rahul Sharma teaches mathematics to students up to class 12, but his story carries a twist. He disclosed to Amitabh Bachchan that he had actually failed in mathematics in his own class 12 exams. Disheartened but determined, Rahul pushed himself, especially after witnessing his father’s disappointment. He dedicated the next 10 years to his studies, eventually becoming a qualified teacher. His return as a mathematics instructor was a proud moment for him and his family, marking the end of a long journey of determination and resilience.
Answering KBC’s Early Questions with Confidence
During the show, Rahul demonstrated a solid command over the initial questions. Bachchan started the game by welcoming Rahul to India Challenger Week, where participants compete by answering “Fastest Finger First.” Rahul successfully advanced to the hot seat and tackled the early questions with confidence, making strategic use of lifelines along the way.
For a question worth ₹20,000, Bachchan asked Rahul, “Who bowled the last over in the final of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup?” Rahul correctly answered with option (B), Hardik Pandya, confidently securing his first prize.
As the game progressed, Rahul made good use of the audience poll lifeline to answer a question about India’s Rapid Rail Service, choosing option (C) Namo Bharat with the audience’s guidance. This answer brought his total prize winnings to ₹3,20,000, allowing him to continue climbing the prize ladder.
Reaching Higher Stakes with Lifelines
With increasing difficulty, Rahul faced the ₹3,20,000 question: “Which Indian language has special status as one of the official languages in Singapore?” He used his ‘Video Call a Friend’ lifeline to answer, selecting option (B) Tamil. The correct response added another win, and Rahul began to express his gratitude for the opportunity, feeling his years of hard work to get on the show were justified.
Tackling the ₹6,40,000 Question with Strategy
The tension mounted as Amitabh Bachchan presented Rahul with the ₹6,40,000 question, “Which martial art means ‘gentle way’ in Japanese?” When Rahul’s friend couldn’t provide an answer over the video call, he opted for the ‘Double Dip’ lifeline. His first attempt, Wushu, was incorrect, but his second choice, Judo, was correct, securing him a further win and bringing him closer to the ₹12,50,000 question.
The Question on Jawaharlal Nehru That Ended Rahul’s Journey
As the stakes rose, Rahul’s next question, worth ₹12,50,000, asked him to identify to whom Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had dedicated his autobiography. Rahul pondered over the options and finally selected option (C) Rani Nehru. Unfortunately, his answer was incorrect, as the dedication was made to Kamala Nehru, Nehru’s wife. This misstep brought his winning streak to a halt, and Rahul had to exit the game with ₹3,20,000.
Leaving with Pride and Inspiration
Though his time on KBC 16 ended with a missed opportunity at a significant prize, Rahul’s journey resonated with many viewers. His story exemplifies resilience, showing that determination can pave the way to success even after early setbacks. Rahul’s story served as an inspiration to many, reminding viewers that it’s never too late to rewrite one’s path.
