Big B Amithabh's repsonse on SRK's KBC3

As the new season of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ or KBC takes off with Shahrukh Khan taking over from the indomitable Amitabh Bachchan as anchor of the show, comparisons are inevitable. But the ‘Big B’ himself, refuses to take the bait.

KBC, back in a brand new avatar with a brand new quiz master, seems to be looking for a brand new image as well. But all the hype around Shahrukh seems to be lost on the man whom he has replaced. Amitabh Bachchan's first reaction was this disinterested comment:

“I haven’t connected to it, because I haven’t seen (the programme) yet.”

Amitabh Bachchan might have little interest in the fate of the new show, but that has not stopped the producers of KBC from trying out every trick in the book to reinvent a show haunted by the ghosts of last season when the formidable Big B over shadowed all.

Adman Prahlad Kakkar opines, “The new KBC is much more informal, it's much more in connect. There was a sense of reserve and tremendous sense of awe that Mr Bachchan invoked. Shahrukh invokes an equal sense of connect and being one with the contestants.”


Truly, gone is the straight jacketed larger than life father figure – replaced by the irreverent, relaxed and approachable Shahrukh. If Amitabh with his impeccable Hindi had the audience mesmerized, then Shahrukh in complete Bollywood style set the tone right in the first episode itself – even if it meant having a little fun at Big B’s expense! Khan briefly parodied Bachchan’s ornate style of delivery and concluding with a layman’s “Samjhe?” (Got it?)

Another departure from the old, is the conscious effort being made to rope in young viewership. The famous “lock kiya jaye” phrase has been replaced with “freeze kar do”, while “computerji” has been rechristened “Compaq-da”.

While Shahrukh plays on his charm for all its worth, one cannot also miss the nervous energy. And for those still hung up on the Bachchan baritone – you can catch him in the ad breaks as Bachchan’s brand Cadbury happens to be one of KBC'S chief sponsors!

KBC3 lifted Star Plus' overall rating

Shahrukh Khan seems to have cast magic on the ratings as he played host for the first time in the game show Kaun Banega Crorepati, replacing megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

Putting all anxiety to rest for the broadcaster Star Plus, KBC 3 opened with a market share of 24.36 per cent in the Hindi speaking segment of NWE (north, west, east) India, according to aMap's overnight TV rating system.
In comparison to the previous Mondays of 2007, iin which Star Plus garnered 12.4 per cent, this is not only a much larger share but almost double of the average ratings.

The actual number of viewers that were reached by KBC 3 in NWE India is 9.16 million. On an All India Level 10.29 million people were reached. And with Tamil general entertainment channel Star Vijay also adding up the audiences, 11.3 million people were reached on an All India level.

aMap highlighted a key trend of the programme on its opening day that indicates that 'King Khan' managed to retain the viewers after every break taken. The ratings kept on increasing after each break, and the last sequence got the highest ratings.

The show managed a jump of 91.5 per cent for the ratings per cent of Star Plus and almost all Star channels and genres got impacted due to the show.

In fact, 1.3 million people switched on their TV sets just to watch KBC, in NWE India. In terms of SEC, SEC A and B got higher numbers than the others. The ratings show that the more affluent target groups watched a lot more of KBC. Target groups like graduates, businessmen, self-employed professionals got the highest numbers.

Additionally, people living in small households, four and below, got more ratings than people staying in households with five more people.

Also, among the 20 brands that advertised on the show, Motorola's Motophone advertisment was rated the highest.

Analysts are, however, cautious, saying that the ratings have to be watched over a longer period to arrive at any conclusions.

King Khan Shahrukh damn busy preapring for KBC-3

Just before Kaun Banega Crorepati goe son air, KBC3 rehersal rolls, Shah Rukh Khan is damn busy with prepartions, the perfectionaist that he is in nature, he sets all his concetration on becoming the no. 1 persona of the country.

The actor, who will take home a huge pay packet for hosting the gameshow (is believed to be much higher than the Big B), has had the KBC sets erected at his home to practise.

Whether he can fill Amitabh Bachchan's shoes is anybody's guess.

Kaun Banega Crorepati, KBC-3 will start on January 22 at 9 pm, Monday to Thursday on Star Plus. Keep your eye on the TV set when the program is on and later here on this blg, for all the updates, preidctions and lotz more.

From BIg B to King Khan, the bong connection

Who is the only link between Amitabh Bachchan’s KBC and Shah Rukh Khan’s KBC? A Calcuttan in the hot seat! And it has been a roller-coaster ride spanning 15 months for the rollover contestant.

October 2005: Kasba’s Prasenjit Sarkar gets a call from STAR Plus to participate in the studio show of Kaun Banega Crorepati Dwitiya after clearing the three preliminary stages.

November 2005: Prasenjit shoots with Amitabh Bachchan, but after winning Rs 80,000, the episode ends because of lack of time.

March 2006: With the ailing Bachchan out of the game, Prasenjit is given the option to quit and take home the Rs 80,000 or wait till a new season of the show is announced. Prasenjit chooses to wait.

December 2006: Prasenjit gets a call from STAR Plus to return to the new show, to be hosted by Shah Rukh Khan.

January 22, 2007: Prasenjit becomes the first contestant of the SRK-hosted KBC and also the only one ever to be quizzed by both Bachchan and Shah Rukh.

So, the 39-year-old inspector of central excise and customs is on the brink of making game-show history.

When he takes the studio hot seat “this weekend” for the January 22 launch episode, he will “almost surely” be the first Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (KBC is an adaptation) contestant in 106 countries to have faced two quizmasters.

And that too, Big B and King Khan.

“I know as the rollover contestant, I am the only link between the two KBCs,” Prasenjit said at his Ruby Park residence. “I am happy I took the right decision by not quitting the game and waiting for more than a year for the show to restart.”

And when Prasenjit was flown in for a mock shoot a couple of days back, Shah Rukh welcomed him to the hot seat as “Babumoshai” — rewinding to his Devdas and his predecessor’s Anand days! But when asked to choose his favourite quizmaster, Prasenjit went 50:50.

“I am a huge fan of Mr Bachchan but thanks to my 12-year-old son, I also like Shah Rukh a lot... And whatever little I saw of him as the host, puro jomiye debe!”

BIg B Amithabh Bachchan on hot seat as guest before Shahrukh?

“I live in everybody’s hearts. And compared to that, the small screen is bigger,” said Shah Rukh Khan in his trademark style as he officially announced his comeback to television with the new edition of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’.

Khan, who will take the game show forward in January from where Amitabh Bachchan left, refuses to be called a replacement. “It is wrong for people to say that I am replacing Mr Bachchan. I am here today and tomorrow may be there will be a new host for KBC. There is no question of replacement — that happens only when the person wants to carry on and is not being allowed to. Mr Bachchan decided not to carry on and I was the second choice. Comparisons are okay, but they should not be degrading to any person, they should be made in a healthy manner. Mr Bachchan’s shoes are too big for me. Hopefully I will not bring down the standard of the show,” Khan said.

Shah Rukh was particularly excited about coming back to Delhi — his ‘city of joy’ — and restarting his tryst with television from the capital where his acting career took off with TV serials like ‘Fauji’ and ‘Doosra Kewal’. “Delhi is where I spent my childhood. KBC will give me the opportunity to reconnect with the city. In fact, in my line of work, I rarely get to interact with the audiences I work for. This will be my chance to reach out and know all those people who love me and make all those who don’t like me fall in love with me,” said the actor betraying his superstar confidence.

About having celebrity guests on the show, Shah Rukh recounted his own experience adding if the show were to ever have Mr Bachchan as a guest he would go down on bended knees to personally invite him. “If Mr Bachchan were ever to come for the show, I would drive him down to the studio myself. It would be a great honour. I still remember the time when I came on the show for a charity episode. I was nervous but prepared for seven-eight days. And I think I fared well. As a host I plan to do my research well. I am going to download newspapers from the past two years and read them all,” he explained. Via DNA

Shahrukh Khan: The New king of the hot seat

Bachchan’s old world charm or Khan’s energy and enthusiasm — what do 60-plus viewers prefer? R Naliini and Divyya Subrramaniam report

Faithful followers of Bachchan as well as Kaun Banega Crorepati had a lot to discuss last week when Shah Rukh Khan took over Amitabh Bachchan. There have been heated debates over whether Khan will be able to create the same magic that Bachchan did. For many older viewers however, the change is not merely from one super star to another.

It is a mirror of the change that they have witnessed in their own lives. It is the younger generation receiving the mantle from the older. The overwhelming vote is for the older and the more dignified Bachchan, but the dashing Khan has not been really written off. Most faithful viewers feel that although Bachchan’s voice and old world mannerisms cannot be duplicated, Khan might be able to bring a whole new atmosphere to the show.

Some viewers feel that age has little to do with how good an anchor is. They feel that it just depends on the personal ability of the anchor. But there are many who feel that Khan’s main appeal is to the younger audience. While most viewers are looking forward to the change, there are few who say that the charm of the show is lost.

It’s not just about younger or older — an anchor is an anchor. Khan is a good actor but he may not be a good anchor. Bachchan is good at both. I have been watching Khan since his initial acting days. I don’t consider him an option for KBC at all. Bachchan’s voice, presentation style and the way he interacted with the participants are unmatched qualities.” Vastupal Sheth, 76

Bachchan attracts people of all ages; Khan will appeal more to the younger generation. When it comes to dignity, maturity and experience, Bachchan scores over Khan, who is quite young. Bachchan is genuinely nice. Khan is not as serious or deep as Big B’s. Bachchan’s voice commands attention. His mere presence is enough.” Indu Shedde, 79

I clearly remember how he would adjust the chair level and help participants sit comfortably and only then take his seat. He would talk to the participants and also the relatives or friends accompanying them. Khan is like his son. He’ll do well.” Nirmal Bhambri, 67

Bachchan has his own presentation style and Khan will have his own. There will be a difference in the way the show will be conducted. Bachchan has a knack of doing things that has come through experience. Age and experience won’t be barriers for Khan, if he perseveres. At least, the Badshah of Bollywood has dared to take it up.” LP Dubey, 69

We had a face-to-face experience with Amitabh Bachchan on the sets of KBC’s couples episode. Bachchan was very impressive, humble, polite and spontaneous. Khan’s plus points are his wit and humour. Those who’ve not seen Bachchan’s KBC will think Khan’s is the best. The youth (those aged 15 to 20) will be more impressed with Khan. That is because of the generation gap.” Vinod Behl, 67. Via DNA

KBC is almost sold

KBC is going great and last heard all the spots are sold (barring miniscule 30 minutes) and STAR India is laughing al the way to the bank. Only 30-40 seconds per episode is remained to be sold. The program has got 14 fixed sponsors, There are six brands which will be integrated with the show, (like Amitabh using Parker pen to sign the cheque, used to use Lenovo computer in KBC 2). Officials are sure that by the end of fourth week spots for all 52 episodes will be sold. The show starts on 22nd January and ends on 22 April.

According to an estimate KBC3 has brought in advertising worth Rs. 110-130 crore for the first season to Star Plus.

The big surprise, however, some big advertising heavyweights who wont be seen airing their ads on SRK’s show. No, the reason is nothing do do with Amithabh promoting those brands, but spenders such as Nestle, Hindustan Lever, Maruti, General Motors and others have already earmarked Rs 300 crore advertising budget for the World Cup cricket tournament in West Indies.