Aparna Malikar, a 27-year-old woman from Vara-Kawatha in Yavatmal district, found herself on the hot seat facing Amitabh Bachchan like the character of Jamal from movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

Two years ago, her world collapsed when her husband of six years committed suicide. At 25, she was a widow, unable to bear the burden of loans he had accumulated as a farmer. With two children, she braced for a colourless life. But when all seemed bleak, a ray of light appeared – a television show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’.

Aparna won Rs 6,40,000 and a special help of Rs 50,000 from Bachchan. Aparna will first pay her debt of Rs 60,000 and build a concrete house, she said. Though a school dropout, she felt the questions were easy but she was anxious to be in front of Mr Bachchan. Aparna wishes to put away some amount for the education and upbringing of her kids. In his blogpost, Bachchan said he did not have words to express his anguish and grief at this state. “But there it was. Stark, brutal and honest,” he wrote.

This special episode will be telecast in last week of September.