Exclusive | India Ke Top 1 percent winner Bijal Shah on historic win: ‘I never imagined that I would walk away with Rs 96 lakh’

Bijal Shah and Anil Kapoor (Picture via Special Arrangement)

India Ke Top 1 percent - The Anil Kapoor Show opened on a historic note as Chartered Accountant Bijal Shah became its first-ever winner, taking home Rs 96 lakh in the grand premiere. Bijal entered the game alongside her husband, Neelay Mehta, and managed to retain the initial Rs 1 lakh throughout her journey while relying on her instincts and presence of mind.

Speaking exclusively to mid-day, Bijal recalled the moment Anil Kapoor announced her victory. "Honestly, I couldn't process it immediately. For a few seconds, I was just looking around and wondering, ‘Did this really happen?' I had come to the show to enjoy the experience and see how far I could go. I never imagined that I would walk away with Rs 96 lakh and become its first female winner," she said.

Bijal Shah becomes the first winner

"When Anil sir announced my name and everyone started cheering, it finally began to sink in. It was a very emotional and surreal moment," she added.

Her professional training as a CA helped her remain composed. "It definitely helped me remain calm and think logically. As a CA, you're trained to read everything carefully because even a small detail can completely change the answer," she explained. However, the questions required more than academic knowledge. "While the CA in me analysed every option, I also had to stop overthinking and trust my instincts."

Bijal said retaining the initial Rs 1 lakh was not part of a predetermined plan. "I didn't enter the game with a grand strategy that I wouldn't touch the Rs 1 lakh. I just decided to take one question at a time." She added, "Whenever I felt confident about my answer, I didn't want to spend the money simply out of fear or nervousness."

Her interactions with Anil Kapoor also remain special. "Every interaction with Anil sir was special because his energy is exactly the way we see it on screen. He made the atmosphere fun and helped us relax even during the tense moments," she said.

Neelay's exit did not stop his support. "I was obviously disappointed when he exited, but he immediately shifted into cheerleader mode," Bijal recalled. "After I won, it didn't feel like only my victory. It felt like something we had achieved together as a couple."

On her motherhood

A new mother, Bijal credited her support system for allowing her to participate. "As mothers, we often feel guilty about taking time out for ourselves, but this experience reminded me that becoming a mother doesn't mean you have to stop chasing your own dreams," she said.

Her son Pranit, who is about to turn one, was her "little lucky charm". "Whenever the pressure increased, I would think of his face and instantly feel calmer," she shared.

Bijal also remembered her late father, Sudhir Shah, who died of cancer in February. "I think he would have been incredibly proud, but knowing him, he probably would have simply smiled and said, ‘I knew you could do it.'"

For future contestants, her advice is simple: "Stay calm, read every question carefully and pay attention to the smallest details." Most importantly, she said, "Trust your instincts, enjoy the experience and play your own game."