KBC 13: Olympians Neeraj Chopra and PR Sreejesh win Rs 25 lacs; latter reveals his father sold family cow to buy hockey equipment

Olympians Neeraj Chopra (athlete) and PR Sreejesh (Goalkeeper) graced the hot seat of the quiz show, Kaun Banega Crorepati 13 for the 'Shandaar Shukravaar' episode. The two made India proud on a foreign soil by winning medals in their respective sports - Javelin Throw and Hockey at Olympics Games Tokyo 2020. The Indian Men Hockey Team broke the 41-year old jinx by winning bronze medal. India beat Germany by 5-4. This was athlete Neeraj Chopra's first entry at the Olympics and he won Gold Medal in the sport, Javelin Throw. The quiz show's host, Amitabh Bachchan welcomed them with much enthusiasm and beamed with joy to see them on stage. Upon seeing the 2 champions of the country, Big B said that he is proud to be hosting this show. (All Photos: Instagram)

PR Sreejesh waled in style and flaunted his Bronze medal to the audience. Neeraj Chopra also walked in with confidence and they were welcomed with sheer joy, and received a standing ovation by the audience. They also chanted 'Vande Mataram' and displayed placards flaunting their prestigious win. Host Amitabh Bachchan asked the sportspersons if he could touch the medals. Upon touching them, he said that they are indeed very heavy and this is the only way he can see the medals because he'll never be able to win it for the country. An audio visual of PR Sreejesh from the hockey game and Neeraj's commendable performance from the Javelin Throw was shown to the audience. It was an emotional moment for everyone including Big B, Neeraj and Sreejesh got teary-eyed. Amitabh Bachchan got off his seat and took their autographs on a hockey stick and a Javelin. PR Sreejesh got the Indian Team's jersey with the signatures of all 19 players on it and handed over to the megastar. Big B was elated to receive it and said that he will get it framed and hang it on his home's wall.

He shared with Amitabh Bachchan how after 41 years, the Indian Hockey Team received a medal. PR Sreejesh recalled how they participated in Olympics 2021 but lost every game. Goalkeeper Sreejesh spoke about the humiliation the team had to face. He told Big B, "When we returned to India, everyone laughed at us and said that why you'll went there? They made us believe that we were useless. In functions, we were made to sit at the corner in the behind row, we were insulted a lot. We started doubting ourselves and people started telling us, 'Why to play hockey? People said we are wasting their (sponsors) money and as per my experience, I told the players to give give their 100 per cent and not think about anything else. All the sacrifice is worth now after winning the medal."

Sreejesh, who is a South Indian, is seen dressed up as a Sardar in one of the photos was shown and he looks unrecognisable. Revealing the story behind it, Sreejesh said, "We have many players from Punjab. So I joined in as Sreejender Singh to show unity. Big B spoke about his spirit of unity. "I wore the pagdi (turban) on 'lungi'. Everyone had a mighty laugh. On the other hand, Neeraj asked Big B to mouth a dialogue in Haryanvi, 'Tere baap ka ghar nahi hain, thana hai, chup chap khada reh.' Big B recited it and spoke about Haryana giving many players to the country. He gives another dialogue, 'Main aaj bhi phenke hue paise nahin uthata' to Big B. He fumbles and next, Amitabh Bachchan asked Neeraj to recite his film's dialogue, 'Main aur meri tanhaai', 'Kabhi kabhi mere dil me khayaal aata hai' in Haryanvi. Big B plays hockey with Sreejesh on the set.

A question about what is the Japanese art of paper folding called. The players used the Audience Poll's lifeline and gave the right answer - Origami. They won Rs 5,000 and thanked the audience for their support. PR Sreejesh said that with the winning amount he would like to help the underprivileged kids with phones and laptops whereas Neeraj wants to support the students learning sports at the Inspiring Institute of Sports.

On being asked by host Amitabh Bachchan about how he developed an interest in Javelin Throw, Neeraj Chopra said that he chose this sport in 2011. He said, "It was my first chance at Olympics, people are happy in India. I want the young kids to learn." It was the happiest moment for me when I won Gold medal. Sharing his excitement about it, Neeraj said, "I kept the Gold medal near the pillow and slept with it. It was a special feeling for me to wake up and see the medal first thing." Mr Bachchan tells them that they have become inspirations. "I was overweight at 14 years of age. My uncle motivated me to do sports. He asked if I wanted to study or do sports? I said sports and went to the stadium just to lose weight. I saw my seniors doing javelin throw. I found it fascinating. I tried and loved it. I love all the sports but Javelin tug my heart and I never thought of entering Olympics at that time. I just played with my heart, took small steps and brought a gold medal," said Neeraj.

"My coach asked me to play the game. There is a scheme in Kerala schools that you get 60-80 percent extra if you play sports, you get grace marks as per the level you play for - state, national and international. That was the reason why I joined Hockey. I wanted grace marks. I played hockey as a player for 2 weeks, even I was overweight. I saw goalkeepers were standing with everything on them (the pads) and just kicking. I thought it was only about standing and has less work that's why I became a goalkeeper," said PR Sreejesh. Also, a photo of him from the Olympics game was shown where he was seated on the Goal Post. To which, Sreejesh said, "Goal post is a different game. It's like a buddy for me and I keep talking to it, a very good buddy, so that I have someone to talk to during the game. My life's best moment was to win and after that I went and sat on the Goal Post and my 21 years of life flashed in front of me - the highs, lows, sacrifices and I assured myself that the hard work of the past 21 years has finally paid off." (Photo: Instagram)

Amitabh Bachchan credited Neeraj for introducing the world to Javelin Throw. He called for a Javelin and the Gold medalist explained to Big B how it is held and the 3 grips that it has and which grip he uses and how it is held to be thrown. "I am happy that people know what Javelin is and I will do whatever possible to promote Javelin," said Neeraj. He jokes that he would have thrown but due to space he can't. Big B laughed his heart out and asked him not to pull the stunt here. After a hearty conversation, they reach the question worth Rs 1,60,000.

A video is shown of how Neeraj trains himself to stay fit and for the sport. Big B is impressed with his hard work and consistency. "I started at 35-40 meters. People think Javelin is just about throwing but it requires a lot of gymnastics, jumps, lifting, sprints and that's when a person is prepared for the throw. In the video, Neeraj is seen bending backwards and Amitabh Bachchan is amazed to see that visual. He requested Neeraj to do it for him and he obliged. Once again, the mega star and host was stunned and speechless to see his flexibility. They play for Rs 3,20,000 question and give the right answer. Amitabh Bachchan praised them for their knowledge and intelligence along with their exceptional skills towards the respective sport that they play. PR Sreejesh and Neeraj smoothly answer the Rs 6,40,000 question and win the amount.

Sreejesh's video from the Olympics Tokyo 2020 is displayed. His family is seen cheering for him. His father was seen clapping in stands, standing up, dancing with joy and thanking God for his son and the team's win. The video got him and the host teary-eyed. Big B then spoke about the dynamics of a father-son's relationship. He spoke about how proud a moment it must have been for PR Sreejesh's father to his son make the country proud and win bronze. Speaking about the priceless reaction by his father, Sreesjesh said, "It was a difficult relationship with father because I was very naughty and papa would often hit me. When I got the letter for sports selection, I was worried to talk to dad because dad would hit me and I was very scared. My parents asked what you will become in hockey and asked 'Hockey khelne se job milega kya?' Everybody suggested not to play the game but I asked them to give me 3 years to prove myself. I went for the camp and a goalkeeper's pad is expensive. We did not have money and we belong to farmers family. I called up papa and told him that I need pad and he asked me its cost. My father sent the pad and later when I spoke to mom, she said that he sold the cow we had and that was our only source of income. Whenever I feel I can't play the game, I think about this and keep working hard. My father had faith in me and that's why he sold the only source of income we had. When I went to the camp, I did not know Hindi or English language. My jersey was torn, I would tie 'rassi' to my pad and people would make fun of me. The co-players would call me out for it. I felt like quitting and would cry. I ignored them and thought about my parents' sacrifice and kept on working hard. I dedicated my medal to my father and I put the medal around daddy's neck after the win at Olympics." Big B praised his spirit.

The question of Rs 12,50,000 is asked. The players opt for Flip The Question Lifeline. The new question asked was: The international hockey stadium in Mohali, Punjab is named after which Indian hockey legend? The right answer was: Balbir Singh Senior. The Rs 25,00,000 question asked was: On December 25, 2019, the Indian Railways launched which new train service that is fully equipped with Vistadome coaches? The right answer to this was: Him Darshan Express. Both Neeraj and PR Sreejesh were happy to give this answer and won Rs 25,00,000 as the final amount. It should be noted that the players still had two unused lifelines. The buzzer rang and the question and answer session had to be stopped. Later, Amitabh Bachchan asked Neeraj Chopra and PR Sreejesh to give their autograph on the wall at the entrance of the auditorium. They gave it along with a message.