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Big B?s back with bigger KBC
Three years after Kaun Banega Crorepati, went off air, Amitabh Bachchan returns to host KBC 2 August onwards.
Three years after Indian TV’s biggest game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, went off air, Amitabh Bachchan returns to host KBC 2 August onwards.
The Big B, whose film career got a new lease of life after KBC created history, confirms the return of the show to HT City: “My film commitments will keep me busy till July. After that I’ll shoot for the new episodes of KBC. I’ve committed to do 85 episodes and I am looking forward to it.”
So, what’s new? The prize money has been doubled: it goes up to Rs 2 crore. For the rest, quizmaster Siddhartha Basu remains the producer. Says Deepak Segal, executive vice president (content), Star TV: “The basic format remains the same, though there will be value additions. For example, in the last week of April viewers will be asked a series of questions and they can send in their replies by calling or sending SMS-es to 7827.
The viewer who accumulates the highest points (based on the maximum number of correct answers) wins a seat on KBC straightaway. Also, we will add some popular segments from the original concept, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, which we’re finalising. There’ll be a ‘play along’ option too: a viewer who sends the correct reply via SMS to a question asked during an episode stand to win Rs 1 lakh.”
On why KBC returns at this particular point of time, Samir Nair, COO, Star TV, says: “If we didn’t air KBC 2 this year, it’d be too late. We were only waiting for Mr Bachchan’s confirmation. We’ve been told our weekend programming is weak. With KBC 2 airing on weekends (Friday-Sunday at 9 pm), we want to change all that.”
In this context, Nair recalls: “Five years back when KBC was launched, it was our biggest gamble. We depended heavily on the game show for a TRP boost. A day after we went on air, phone lines were clogged and we netted TRPs of almost 20 (normally shows on DD that enjoy a wider reach garner TRPs around 22-24).”
Clearly, a lot is at stake this time too.
