Shah Rukh sinking with KBC- Part 2

Here is an interesting article on Shahrukh Khan's whole KBC experience and you can also read it on the IBN Website.

New Delhi: If Shah Rukh Khan's romance on television or his un-masterly gestures of giving body massages to contestants left you puzzled as to what hesrk_kbc_248.jpg was up to, King Khan has a clear answer to this. "I am trying to make it ( Kaun Banega Crorepati ) more light-hearted," he would tell you.

King Khan knows too well that, given his chatty image and his propensity (or should we call it penchant) for glib, he can ill-afford the pregnant pauses of Big B, which had brought in an aura of awe and academic gravity to the show.

So, SRK wants to capitalise on his own assets and bring in a transition there even though he has tried to ape Big B endlessly in every other aspect – from his efforts to build suspense after a question is answered, to the way he interacts with the contestants and their companions, to the way he carries out the ‘fastest finger fast’ part and so on and so forth.

For a moment, it gives a feeling as if the producers are more interested in SRK’s presence on the show rather than his performance. Or else, why would someone try to pack new wine in old bottles.

"We are trying to make it more light-hearted, more approachable so that it would be a fun for everyone to watch," SRK now says. So, in his effort to be friendly, SRK won't mind giving body massages, romancing with young contestants and even dropping a naughty hint here or another there.

It is all right in modern television till the time purists cry foul, saying the show may have lost focus of the numerous young audience that it once boasted of.

Now, if that is one of the reasons why TRP ratings showed a decline for KBC III from 5.3 to 3.5 in the first four days since its debut on Monday, Star Plus is yet to find out.

But the decline is real. Quoting aMap data, Economic Times reported on Friday that Star Plus’ big gamble Kaun Banega Crorepati with King Khan started off on a steady note, but has since shown signs of slipping barely three days into the week.

In fact, aMap data showed KBC III has witnessed a steady decline from episode on episode. While the show initially got off to a good start with a 5.3 television rating (TVR), almost doubling its channel share in the 9 - 10 pm slot, the second episode saw the show plummet to 4.8 TVR. The third day saw a still steeper decline in ratings, with the show garnering only 3.5 TVR.

Star has rubbished these figures though. "We do not subscribe to aMap ratings, and will wait for the TAM ratings to judge the performance of the show," a Star spokesperson told the newspaper.

King Khan also says he is happy with the response to the show. "I am very happy. Everyone has worked hard on the show. The show has achieved 50-60 per cent of its target and would make more progress in the days to come," he claims.

Khan is also excited about his TV romance. "One lady has approached me while another has said that she does not like me," he says about the "exciting responses" that he is getting from the participants in the show.

SRK in Madame Tussauds

Bollywood King Khan, Shah Rukh Khan will be soon adding another feather in his cap with finding place in the London's Madame Tussauds wax museum.

Shah Rukh Khan follows Big B footsteps with the remake of the Don, followed by Kaun Banega Crorepati and now with the London's Madame Tussauds wax celebrities.

Earlier Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai were the only Bollywood actors who are part of Madame Tussauds.

SRK's wax statue will be unveiled in March and actor is expected to be present on the occasion.

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!”

Star dishes out new course for Shah Rukh's KBC3

After announcing the third season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) with SRK, Star Plus is laying out the red carpet for King Khan on his return to the small screen from where he began his innings.

Star Plus is going all out to get the right combination in place —be it the promos or reshuffling of the on-air serials to accommodate KBC in the coveted 9 to 10 pm slot. The channel has come out with a novel promo that has managed to get the eyeballs and bring a smile to viewers’ faces. The 130-second commercial features SRK as a kid asking embarrassing questions at school, in the lift, at parties, et al. The inquisitive child never gets an answer to his questions. In the latter half of the promo, the child who has grown into SRK is in Mumbai, amazed with the opportunities the city offers.

The promo ends with King Khan on the hot seat adlibbing Kuchh sawaal zindagi badal saktey hain (Some questions can change your life). This promo has been conceptualised by O&M.

The concept of the game was the key to the promo, says Sagar Mahabaleshwarkar, group creative director O&M.

“Each and every one of us has as a child asked some embarrassing, stupid questions. We decided to explore this trait in the promo. KBC is after all about question and answers. Curiosity is the DNA of the game. With SRK as the quizmaster, the participant comes away happy as he has had a close brush with a super star.”

Remember the Big B’s baritone Umeed se dugna? The channel had then cashed in on his voice but with SRK, predictably a different line of communication has been adopted. “We wanted to introduce SRK differently. King Khan will bring new elements to the show and this is one of the reasons for coming up with a changed line of communication,” informs Mahabaleshwarkar.

A new promo was aired last night (Thursday). It revolves around questions again but this time it says how the right question in life can change the course of one’s life. “Here, for the first time there is just SRK for the entire 60 second duration and he is talking to the audience,” says Mahabaleshwarkar. A KBC is one of the biggest revenue maker for Star. Predictably, other shows on the channel are making way for King Khan’s show. The first serial to be hit is Karam Apnaa Apnaa, which will shift from the 9:30 pm slot to 8 pm, axing the sci-fi thriller Antariksh. Speaking about the reshuffle, senior creative director, Shailja Kejriwal says, “Antariksh didn’t deliver, so we decided to pull it off air. The show got ratings of two whereas Karam Apnaa Apnaa is delivering a rating of seven currently.”

Karam Apnaa Apnaa is now pitted against Zee’s Banoo Main Teri Dulhan, one of the leading shows of the channel. But Zee has decided to stay put. “We are not changing the time of any of our shows. The only new addition, Maayka Saat Zindagi Bhar Ka, will go on air on January 15 at 8.30 pm. This serial was conceptualised before KBC ,” says Ashish Kaul, VP, Zee Networks. Via Financial Express

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