Nagarjuna's Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu: Umakanth Calls It Quits

Updated: Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 13:31 [IST]

A contestant named Peri Umakanth, a school teacher from Pitapuram, who surprised everyone with his depth of knowledge, has finally called it quit on Akkineni Nagarjuna's hit TV show Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu (MEK). In its 28th episode aired on Tuesday night, he was seen failed to answer a question that was worth of Rs 25 lakhs. He walked away with a whopping prize of Rs 12.50 lakhs on the show.

See: Chiranjeevi In Hot Seat On Nagarjuna's MEK

As seen on the show, Peri Umakanth has immense knowledge about all spheres of life except movies. He was so fluent that he used answer Nagarjuna's questions even before he gave him four options. Overwhelmed by his knowledge, the actor-turned-host described him a Wikipedia. Talking to the host he said, "I want to win Rs 50 lakhs on the show so that I can take my paralised father to the USA for the treatment."

Peri Umakanth, who played the game with lot of ease and enthusiasm, answered 12 questions correctly, using a couple of life lines and won Rs 12.50 lakhs. He was to answer a science-related question, which cost him Rs 25 lakhs. When he found that he did not have a confident answer, he opted to get down from the hot seat. He was all smiling as he received the cheque of Rs 12.50 lakhs from Nagarjuna.

We bring you the some interesting facts about Peri Umakanth and rare photos featuring him with host Akkineni Nagarjuna on the TV show Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu. Continue to see them in the slideshow.

Peri Umakanth's Qualification

Peri Umakanth has passed MSc and BEd from a reputed university in Andhra Pradesh. He has done a diploma in Hindi Prachara Sabha and this course is equivalent to MA in Hindi.

Umakanth Works As Teacher

Since 1998, he has been working as second grade teacher at a school in small village called Chintakulawari Peth three kilo meters away from Yaana.

Peri Umakanth's Family

Peri Umakanth is married and has two children - son and daughter. He enjoys playing chess with his family members.

Umakanth - An IAS Aspirant

Talking about his future, Umakanth said, "I want to become an IAS office. I wish to become an RTO, or commercial Tax Office or Deputy Collector. I have been preparing for the exams for the last few years."

Umakanth Attended APPSC

Umakanth said, "I have appeared several competitive exams conducted by Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission, but failed to get through them in the last rounds. Upset with it, I had almost quit the exams, when I got an opportunity to appear on this show Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu.

Umakanth On Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu

Umakanth was all thrilled over the call from Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu. Talking about it, he said, "I feel the opportunity to appear on the show is rebirth for me. It is a moral boast to my career. I am very happy about it."

Umakanth Hoped To Win Rs 50 Lakhs

Talking to host Nagarjuna, Umakanth said, "I am taking part on Meelo Evaru Koteeswarudu to win Rs 50 lakhs, which I want to use for the treatment of my father, who is suffering from paralysis."

Umakanth's Father

Talking about his dad's illness, he said, "My father is suffering from paralysis, which can be treated by improving nerve system through Stem Cell Therapy. This treatment is not available in India. So I want to take my father to the USA for the treatment."

Umakanth's Excitement About MEK

He said, "The moment I heard the news that I have been selected to appear on the show, I began to prepare the show. Meanwhile I also started dreaming of winning a hefty sum on the show."

Umakanth On Fast Finger Test

In his first attempt, he could not get through the fast finger test. But he got selected in his second attempt. He was very happy about it. Talking about it, he gushed, "This happiness can't explained, but it can only be experienced."