ARTICLE

But the episodes of the last two or weeks are forcing a re-think. Is it merely because Amitabh is slowly but surely going back to the form, image and attire he sported in KBC I? If he turned off a section of the viewers this time by appearing in fancy threads and flaunting a Bunty Aur Bubli persona, he has now reverted to doing what he does best - involving himself with the participants and playing to the gallery, contestant after contestant.

The Friday show week before last, was vintage Amitabh as he worked along with a contestant who was vying for the prize money as she wanted it for her relative's surgery. Her grandmother had to have a her pacemaker replaced, the money would help her to get the job done. The young contestant even got the chance to tie on the belt that kept Mr Bachchan's shirt cuff in place.

One could see the tension, the joy, the sorrow writ large on AB's face as each contestant went on to win more, lose or drop out. AB felt what the contestant was feeling, and the world at large, who had tuned in to watch the game show, in the confines of their homes . AB connected. And that is what is making the difference.

Then came the episode that had television's golden couple, Kajol and Ajay Devgan vie for the coveted two crore. AB was at his very best here. He made the couple doubt each other, question each others abilities and squirm in their seats as the pressure built on them. He maintained his tight grip on the show, building up the suspense, till Kajol yelled with anticipation!

Then again, in last weekend's edition, he insisted on chatting with a participant's wife in the audience, who spoke neither English nor Hindi. AB persisted in a conversation by proxy, through her husband, till both husband and wife blushed with embarassment and delight!

Bachchan seems to have shed the initial apathy that showed through in the initial few episodes, and a few certain elements that were apparent in the first season, and missing in the second, have creeped back in - AB remembers now to ask the participants what they intend doing with their prize money. He no longer seems in a rush to get the episode done with, and lingers with the participants, giving them their coveted share of the limelight, which obviously the audience can't have enough of.

This is what makes KBC so special, with the TRPs of most shows dropping, it managed to maintain a stoic 8.9. Here's hoping it maintains the tempo.