KBC, alias for Kaun banega Crorepati, was a show that has remained popular ever since it was launched in summer 2000. More than 10 years later, its mere mention makes many people remember the days when they used to swear by Bachchan’s overbearing personality prevalent in the show. No doubt it halted all activities during its first season. Monday to Thursday - 9 pm was the time for which people used to wait eagerly after finishing off their daily activities.
As Mr Bachchan got himself busy after revitalizing his film career after the stupendous success of KBC, audiences had to wait for another 4 years before Kaun Banega Crorepati Dwitiya restarted in August 2005. But after the 60 add episodes which aired on television, the show came to an end when the superstar host suddenly fell ill and was admitted. But Star Plus later decided to go for a new host, and this time current superstar Shah Rukh Khan was approached for the purpose.
SRK no doubt added touches of his own personality in hosting the all time favourite game show. Though he did a good job of it, reactions by TV show critics and viewers were mixed, where everyone talked about comparisions between the two superstars of their respective eras.
Finally, what we are faced with is Mr. Bachchan again. However, the rights to the show have been aquired by Sony Television and some changes have been made to take a departure from the regular KBC stuff of its three previous seasons. Let us discuss what the show brings to us this time.
This time, the prize money has been increased from 2 crores to 5 crores. The sum of Rs. 2 crores was increased in the second and third seasons from one crore in the first season. So KBC 4 takes the trend forward and does everything possible to lure more and more people to apply as participants.
Another aspect is that a time limit has been introduced within which the participants have to answer the initial questions. However if you go beyond winning Rs. 3, 20, 000; then there’s no time limit within which you are required to answer.
Apart from the three basic lifelines - Audience poll, phone a friend and 50-50, there’s another one this time, called the Expert opinion. Charu Sharma, the famous commentator of sports channels in India, is the expert here who offers his help to participants in case they face any dilemma while answering a question. In the first show tthat aired today, Sanjay Dutt was also present along with Charu Sharma to support and encourage the participant.
Unlike the first three seasons wherein the 10 participants competing for fastest fingers first were not introduced properly to viewers; this time each one of them gets to meet the host; we get to know about their backgrounds and interests; and then we move on to the next participant. After that, the game show proceeds further to bring the most active participant to the hot seat
My view on the program - It no doubt retains the essence of the Indian version of Who wants to be a millionaire. But it seems that the show has been stretched beyond the levels of patience. We loved the first season. The second one was a pleasant surprise and we did watch it again. The third show without Bachchan wasn’t much looked forward to, but the presence of SRK did make people curious to watch it, and had its fair share of positives. But why the need for the show again, especially at a time when people always find something other than television to cater to their entertainment needs. It was no doubt a novel idea at the time when there were not enough channels. But times have changed with introduction of a variety of channels and the situation isn’t the same as before. The phrase ’Excess of everything is bad’ very well applies in the KBC case. However, while it could could have ended up as a regular game show, the presence of Amitabh Bachchan is what makes all the difference in its watchability
Mr Bachchan is wonderful as the host and is in top form. He also displays his superb acting skills at the beginning of the show, with a famous dialogue from Deewar. His interaction with the participants brings his humorous side and its a pleasure to hear him speak.
Watch the show if you are a big fan of Amit Ji or if you were missing him badly in the previous season. He salvages the show which could have been a dull affair for some, had there been any other host in his place.
Passing a verdict on how successful it would be in coming days would be a tad difficult, but if this one manages to pull it off and brings majority of the ladies, gentlemen, children and older generation back to their television sets, the credit should go to only one personality- known to the world as Amitabh Bachchan!