Industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, the Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, recently graced the hot seat on the popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 17, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. While he won a prize of Rs 12.5 lakh, it was his candid and emotional revelations about his family's legacy, personal struggles, and deep-rooted bonds with the Tata family that truly captivated the audience.
The Enduring Birla-Tata Bond: A Legacy of Trust
Birla opened up about the historic and close relationship between the two iconic Indian business families. He revealed that his grandfather, Basant Kumar Birla, shared a strong friendship with the legendary JRD Tata. "There was a time when the Birla family held more shares in some Tata companies than the Tatas themselves. That's how strong the trust and bond between the two families was," Birla recounted to Bachchan.
The connection extended to the next generation. Birla fondly remembered that Ratan Tata and his father, Aditya Birla, were good friends. He shared a poignant moment from a time of profound personal loss. "During my father's last rites, he was with us, and he told me, 'Always remember that you have a friend in me,'" Birla recalled. He praised Ratan Tata as a "great humanitarian" and "an incredible human being" who led a simple life, never flaunting his lineage. Birla expressed deep sorrow over Tata's passing last year, stating, "we lost a true son of India."
The CA Condition and Coping with Sudden Loss
Birla shared a lesser-known chapter from his early life regarding his entry into the family business. He had assumed he would join his father's office immediately after graduation. However, his father, Aditya Birla, set a non-negotiable condition. "Papa said you will have to first do CA (Chartered Accountancy). Now CA is a very difficult thing," Birla said. When he resisted, hoping to do an MBA instead, his father was firm: "If you don't become a CA, then there is no work for you in this office."
Even appeals to his grandfather and mother failed. "Dadaji said that I cannot help you in this, you have to do it. I asked Mummy, she said you will have to do it. Do it crying or do it smiling," he narrated. This insistence on professional qualification before leadership shaped his early career.
The industrialist also spoke emotionally about grappling with his father's untimely death when he was just 27 years old. "I couldn't understand how to handle everything," he admitted. During that turbulent period, he found solace in spirituality. "At that time, I used to read the Hanuman Chalisa four times a day. I would write 'Ram, Ram' on the walls in many books." His grandfather provided immense support, but Birla was shocked by the simplicity of his grandfather's life after his passing, a discovery that left a lasting impact.
Birla's Legacy and the Next Generation
The Aditya Birla Group, a Fortune 500 entity with projections around $65 billion for 2025, stands as a testament to the family's business acumen. Kumar Mangalam Birla, a chartered accountant, Padma Bhushan awardee, and former chairman of IIM Ahmedabad, has a reported net worth of around Rs 2130 crore according to Forbes.
The episode also touched upon his children, who are carving their own diverse paths. His daughter Ananya is a businesswoman and artist who founded Svatantra Microfin and co-founded mental health platform MPower. Another daughter, Advaitesha, started Ujaas, focusing on menstrual health awareness. His son, Aryaman, is a budding cricketer who also manages the group's Aditya Birla Renewables branch.
Birla's appearance on KBC 17 went beyond a quiz, offering a rare, intimate glimpse into the personal trials, values, and relationships that have shaped one of India's most prominent business leaders.
