19 years back, when Kaun Banega Crorepati was announced with a fading Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan headlining a borrowed concept from international television (Who wants to be a Millionaire), not many around them were convinced about the show’s success including Big B. It was a huge risk for the channel and also for Bachchan. But then it was a golden chance for the yesteryear angry young man to carve a fresh image for himself and in the end he went ahead with it.
Amitabh in an interview with Hindustan Times’ Poonam Saxena said that “moving from 75 mm to a 25-inch screen” and “reducing the size of your face and figure” was considered a taboo back then.
Amitabh Bachchan’s risk turned out to be a humongous success with Star Plus rising to No. 1 slot and Big B back in the reckoning. The Season 3 was hosted by Shah Rukh Khan owing to Amitabh’s poor health, but the viewers probably could only fathom Big B conversing with Computerji in his deep baritone and inimitable style. After the season failed to click, Amitabh Bachchan was brought back to the show, this time on a different channel–Sony TV.
THE MAGIC OF KBC
As for KBC, the show never lost its charm even after multiple seasons and its ever-swelling list of crorepatis. The multiple-choice format made it popular among quiz enthusiasts and students with the show’s format being replicated in school and college fests and to kill boredom during summer holidays. Millions of Indians prepared for KBC in a hope to see themselves on TV screens.
The fifth season of Kaun Banega Crorepati broke all records. An unbelievable 27 million viewers watched Motihari’s Sushil Kumar win Rs 5 crore on Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 5.
Kaun Banega Crorepati kept changing its face with time to appeal to the current generation. Phone a friend became video call with friend. Ask the expert and flip the question timelines were added to break the monotony. But if you ask the viewers, they watch KBC for the charm of KBC and not for the new elements. For the past few seasons, KBC has added a social dimension to it and has been trying to bring change with fresh campaigns. This time, it’s tagline is #AdeRaho as show’s host Amitabh Bachchan inspired youth to never give up on their dreams.
WHAT’S NEW THIS TIME
This time, KBC will have 65 episodes spanning across 13 weeks. Like last time, every Friday real life heroes will grace the hotseat and the segment is called KBC Karamveers. People who are tech savvy can play the game on Sony Liv and can earn points to get exciting gifts. In fact few lucky players will get the chance to be on hot seat with Big B if their scores are good. They can even win a car.
There is a slight change in the lifelines also. Instead of call or video call a friend, they have flip the question lifeline. In this lifeline, a contestant in asked to choose the topic of their choice and the question will be asked from this topic if the lifeline is chosen.
A buggy camera this time will keep the live audience engaged as it clicks random pics of audiences, Big B and contestant. Don’t forget to watch KBC premiere tonight at 9 PM and starting today watch the show from Monday-Friday on Sony TV.