Kaun Banega Crorepati, undoubtedly the most popular game show ever to hit the Indian television screen, the TRP ranking peaked only because of one man - Amitabh Bachchan.
If you look at the state of things when Big B started off with the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, he was on the verge of a disastrous career end that was unimaginable in Bollywood. In box office terms, the one-time Superstar was nothing but a sore thumb. But with KBC we were acquainted with the common man’s man. The show did not require him to act, he was not required to imitate; he just had to be himself. And that’s what I liked about him and KBC.
To me he came across as a man with a perfect balance between sophistication and humility (maybe previous failures made him realize that he is after all not invincible). His awesome voice, near perfect pronunciations, witty humor and above all his non-bookish catch-phrases like "Lock kiya jaye" and the smirky "Are you sure?" - All of these factors and so much more made watching KBC an exhilarating week-night watch.
We, the people accepted Amitabh Bachchan as Amitabh Bachchan and nothing else.
But all of this was then; in 2007 with the third season of KBC our small screen is greeted by a new host. And once again not any ordinary Tom, Dick or Harry as the host but the most popular Khan of Bollywood - Mr. Shah Rukh Khan.
Firstly a sophisticated show like KBC does not require an over-the-top, gangsta-kind of music video that appears to be a cheap imitation of Abhishek’s Bluffmaster stint.
Secondly, In spite of being known for his intelligent repartees and witty sense of humor, the man failed miserably in the one hour of air time. I mean, for mama’s sake what’s the deal with "I won’t lock, I’ll freeze" and "Kachcha-Pakka". Oh! And constant smirky expressions. Somebody please hand him some dialogues prepared by anyone else but the man himself. Plus I feel he needs voice modulation classes real bad.
His anchoring abilities completely lacked class and stylishness despite of him wearing a jazzy suit designed by his buddy Karan Johar. Then again, isn’t it often said "You can take the man out the actor but you can’t take the actor out of the man".
Now all these negative views are barring my thoughts on King Khan’s way-too many KBC promos and hyped-up publicity stunts, where the famous star appears to be begging the public to watch his TV show.