KBC’s First Crorepati Harshvardhan Nawathe Went To UK After Winning Rs 1 Crore, Reveals How He Spent The Money

Harshvardhan Nawathe, KBC’s first Rs 1 crore winner, revealed how his mother pushed him to audition and how Amitabh Bachchan changed his life.

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Harshvardhan Nawathe Reveals Where His KBC Rs 1 Crore Went After He Won Big On Amitabh Bachchan’s Show.

Kaun Banega Crorepati’s first Rs 1 crore winner Harshvardhan Nawathe became a household name overnight, but the quiz show changed much more than his public identity. Years after his landmark win, Harshvardhan revealed in a chat with The Times Of India how his mother pushed him to audition, how the prize money gave him the freedom to study abroad and how Amitabh Bachchan made his winning moment even more memorable.

Harshvardhan Nawathe was still preparing for his civil services exams when he won Rs 1 crore on Kaun Banega Crorepati. The win changed his plans and gave him the financial freedom to explore options he may not otherwise have considered. “It gave me a platform as I was a student back then, I was preparing for my civil services and life changed drastically. I couldn’t pursue for my civil services because my interest was lost. I had to be in Mumbai because there were some PR contacts. I was involved in many things at that point of time.”

He said the money gave him the freedom to take risks with his career. “I would say the platform that KBC gave me was like a net and then I could experiment with life. I went to UK, I did not have to take huge amount of loan. I did my MBA. I came back and started with my professional career. It was a net, it allowed me to experiment a little more than I would have. That is what changed in my life.”

Amitabh Bachchan’s Special Gesture After The Rs 1 Crore Win

Harshvardhan also remembered a special moment involving Amitabh Bachchan immediately after he answered the Rs 1 crore question correctly. He said the cameras went off for a commercial break, but he already knew that he had won the jackpot. “I remember this moment very clearly, and I’m sharing it for the first time. After I answered the Rs 1 crore question, Mr Bachchan announced a commercial break, saying, ‘Ab hum lete hain chhota sa break,’ and we went off air. During the actual shoot, these breaks are usually very short, around 30 seconds, before the cameras start rolling again. By that point, I already knew that I had answered the final question correctly.”

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Harshvardhan Nawathe’s KBC win provided him with financial freedom, allowing him to explore career options he might not have otherwise considered and take risks with his career. He was preparing for civil services exams when he won, and the prize money changed his plans. He later pursued studies in the UK and has since carved out a leadership career in the corporate and social development sectors. In December 2025, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of JSW Foundation.

The prize money gave Harshvardhan Nawathe the financial freedom to study abroad and explore career options he might not have otherwise considered.

The show “Kaun Banega Crorepati” (KBC) has been creating millionaires for over two decades and is returning for its 18th season in August 2026. The show’s new season will feature a new theme and incorporate AI technology to assist contestants.

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About the Author

Shreyanka Mazumdar

Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment wo…Read More

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