Mumbai: A contestant from Delhi, Abhishek Debsharma, left Amitabh Bachchan emotional with his heartbreaking story of survival on the latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 18. Abhishek revealed that he received a second chance at life twice—first when his mother gave birth to him and later when his father, Khokan Debsharma, donated a kidney to save his life.
Despite battling a serious illness, repeated hospitalisations and severe financial difficulties, Abhishek has continued to fight back. He shared that his kidney function had nearly failed in 2021, forcing him to undergo dialysis for an extended period. Even after receiving a kidney transplant from his father, his health deteriorated again after he developed acute pancreatitis. Doctors reportedly gave him only a 20% chance of survival.
The prolonged treatment wiped out the family’s savings and forced them to sell their house. Abhishek is currently working as a freelancer to manage his medical expenses, with another kidney transplant being his next major goal.
‘I Was Given a Second Chance at Life Twice’
Abhishek recalled that his health problems began in 2021, when he started experiencing difficulty digesting food. After consulting a doctor and undergoing tests, he discovered that one of his kidneys was functioning at just 3%. He was only 25 years old at the time.
Following kidney failure, Abhishek had to undergo dialysis every two weeks, enduring considerable pain and discomfort. After nearly a year of dialysis, his family decided to proceed with a kidney transplant.
Abhishek Speaks About His Parents’ Sacrifice
During this difficult period, his father, Khokan Debsharma, voluntarily came forward to donate a kidney. Remembering the sacrifices made by his parents, Abhishek said, “I was given a second chance at life twice. Once because of my mother, and the second time because of my father.”
His words highlighted the crucial role his parents played in helping him survive the life-threatening illness.
Father Khokan Debsharma Becomes Emotional
Abhishek’s father, who was present on the show, also became emotional while listening to his son recount his struggles. He said he was willing to do anything to ensure that Abhishek could have a good life.
“I just wanted my son to have a good life, so I was ready to do anything,” Khokan said.
His decision to donate a kidney gave Abhishek another chance at life. However, the transplant did not put an end to his medical troubles, as his health began deteriorating again after some time.
Health Deteriorated Again After Kidney Transplant
Abhishek’s condition remained relatively stable for around a year after the transplant. However, he later developed severe abdominal pain. Medical examinations revealed that he had suffered an attack of acute pancreatitis.
Doctors reportedly told the family that his chances of survival were only 20%. The critical illness also severely damaged the transplanted kidney, forcing Abhishek to return to dialysis. The recurring health complications made his life increasingly difficult.
Abhishek Has Been Hospitalised in the ICU Seven Times
Abhishek revealed that he had been admitted to the intensive care unit seven times since 2021. The prolonged treatment and mounting medical bills took a heavy toll on his family’s finances.
Their savings were exhausted, and they eventually had to sell their house to fund his treatment. Despite these setbacks, Abhishek said that the love and support of his family remained his biggest source of strength. His family continued to stand by him throughout the difficult period.
Freelance Work Helps Him Manage Medical Expenses
When Amitabh Bachchan asked how he was currently managing his treatment costs, Abhishek explained that he works as a freelancer. He helps companies identify and fix bugs, or technical errors, in their applications.
He uses the income from this work to meet his medical expenses. Despite his serious illness and financial challenges, Abhishek remains hopeful about the future. His next goal is to undergo another kidney transplant so that he can improve his health and move forward with his life.
Amitabh Bachchan Praises Abhishek’s Courage
After hearing Abhishek’s moving account, Amitabh Bachchan praised his determination and the support he has received from his family. The contestant’s journey highlighted how family support can help a person find the strength to face serious illness and financial hardship.
His father’s decision to donate a kidney and Abhishek’s continued fight against repeated medical challenges made his story one of the most emotional moments of the episode.
