KBC 3(with srk) : Concept and Articles - Page 29

KBC: Shah Rukh more expensive than Big B

We now know that Shah Rukh Khan has been roped in to replace Amitabh Bachchan in Star TV's popular game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati. But what you might not know is that the channel has signed SRK with a huge hike in the fee.

Sources close to the proceedings also say Union Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar played a major role in swinging the deal in SRK's favour.

Your say: Can SRK handle Crorepati?

"I am not sure about the exact amount, but it is more than double [of Bachchan's fee]," a source said.

"There are two reasons for changing the anchor. One, the TRP [television ratings] had fallen from five to six in KBC's second season. The other reason was to target a younger audience," the source added.

Anita Kaul Basu, wife of KBC's producer Siddharth Basu, says, "The shooting will begin in the last week of December or early January. It will be telecast from mid-January. Initially, we will be shooting 52 episodes."

www.rediff.com

SRK: Comparisons should never be made

Tired of being asked about taking over from Amitabh Bachchan as the host of the television game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, Shah Rukh Khan finally snapped and said that comparisons should never be made.

"You should not play down a person for the sake of playing up a person," SRK told a press conference in New Delhi on December 4 to announce the launch of KBC.

SRK praised Bachchan for giving the programme a unique identity in the first and second season of KBC. "How can I step into his shoes? His feet are so big," he said.

KBC: SRK will do better job | Tell us

Thoughout his interaction with the media, SRK maintained his calm and replied to the questions with a touch of humour.

"Amitji took this programme to new heights, and now, I have to live up to the expectatons. I am happy that I am coming back to the small screen and would soon be entering your bedrooms!" SRK exclaimed. "But let me clarify that I will not be the host, but the dost of my audience. This programme has given me an opportunity to interact with the audience and I am sure I will be able to make a place for myself in your hearts."

Reacting to a question that KBC happened to Bachchan when he was in a bad financial condition, SRK defended the Big B by saying, "He is an icon and it is not fair to talk about him in such a manner."

"I do three films a year and I will stick to this schedule," SRK continued. "I have made a commitment to Star Plus and I will have to find time to carry out my commitment."

When a scribe asked him who the next Bollywood king would be, SRK answered that there was no vacancy. "You find a new king when the old one abdicates. At the moment, you have a king," he smiled.

When asked whether he asked his son Aryan before he took up the show, SRK replied, "Yes, I told him that Sameer uncle (Nair, CEO, Star Entertainment, India) wanted me to take up the job of anchor of KBC. He told me promptly that I should do it only if Crorepati Uncle refuses. When I told him that Amitji has already refused, he was sad. I am confident he will forget it soon once the prgramme is on air."

By hosting KBC, SRK will make a comeback to television, where he started his career in shows like Fauji and Circus.

Would he like to have Bachchan as a guest on his show? SRK said that he would go on his knees to Amitji and drive him back to the studio in a Santro -- the car which he endorses -- if the Big B agreed.

Sameer Nair informed that the new show of 52 episodes will hit the small screen in January.

"We have signed a contract with him for two years," Sameer Nair told rediff.com

"Whether he will continue to host the show (after two years) will depend upon the performance of the game show. We would review it after two years. May be we will continue with him or have another host," Nair explained.

However, Nair was confident that the new reality show will attract the audience and Shah Rukh with his wit, charm, energy and style coupled with the rock-solid foundation of the show will come together with an extraordinary television viewing experience.

"We are confident that the SRK and KBC magic will draw more viewers day after day, week after week," he said.

Nair evaded a reply when asked if the star was being twice the money that Amitabh Bachchan used to get. "All that I can say is that he will be paid adequately," he said.

Denying that the sharp decline in the TRP rating of KBC-2 had forced them to abandon the show mid way, Nair said: "This is not true. The show was doing better than the first KBC, but then Amitji fell ill. Then we experimented by showing old and new episodes and that is when the viewership fell and we decided to discontinue the show. It was in June that Amitji said he will not be able to do KBC and we started looking for the new host. The first name that came to our mind was SRK. We talked to him and he agreed to do it."

Nair clarified that the SMS controversy that had hit KBC 1 and 2 had been blown out of proportion by the media. "There was nothing in it. Allegations were made that some people got back to play the fastest finger first because they were Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited employees. But it died down quickly," he said.

On whether the channel planned to have Sachin Tendulkar and Karan Johar as celebrity guests on the show, he said: "We have not given it a thought. We will now sit down with Shah Rukh and decide."

Quizmaster Siddharth Basu said the marketing department had conducted a research on viewership of the show. "We have the figures. There is a sharp increase in the viewership in the age group of 18 to 35. And SRK would go well with them," he said.

Siddartha Basu's Synergy Communications will continue to produce KBC. Basu's company has entered into a deal with Celador, who conceptualised the show.

"Star India has signed a five year contract with Celador for this format. The deal incorporates both the format and programme license, and is the longest continuing license that has been granted for this global phenomena," Basu said.

www.rediff.com

Photo: SRK promotes KBC

The countdown for Shah Rukh Khan's Kaun Banega Crorepati has begun, and the actor is making sure everyone's excited!

SRK visited Mumbai's northwestern suburb Goregaon to promote the gameshow on January 22, the day KBC premieres on the Star Plus television channel, and had quite a crowd to welcome him.

www.rediff.com

First Look: SRK's KBC promos start

It's time to make the seat hotter.

Star TV is pulling out all the stops to maximise viewer interest for its new version of Kaun Banega Crorepati, starring Shah Rukh Khan.

Images: Shah Rukh gets ready for KBC

After a teaser campaign revolving around how some questions can change a person's world, the channel launches the first full-fledged advertisement for the new show on Friday, December 29.

And what a mammoth advertisement it is. Clocking in at a tremendous 130 seconds, the theme film centres around a little kid, played by four-year old Shrey Bawa, pictured here on Khan's lap.

Growing up in Delhi, the child annoys everyone around him as he grows up constantly asking questions. His world is fed up and he leaves the capital behind in his search for answers.

His destination, Mumbai, gives our hero a whole new set of questions. But this time, he's on the receiving end as the city bombards him with queries.

Finally, we realise life has come full circle as the young boy has finally reached a place where he gets to ask all the questions. Enter King Khan, the new Kaun Banega Crorepati host.

SRK starts his Kaun Banega Crorepati on January 22 at 9 pm, Monday to Thursday on Star Plus.

www.rediff.com

No questions for this KBC

Do you want to participate in Kaun Banega Crorepati 3?

Do you want to know what it feels to sit on the famed hot seat?

Now, you don't need to dial a number to do so. Nor do you need to answer any questions.

Just hop across to the Causeway in Mumbai's western suburb, Mahim, whenever you have some free time.

The hot seat is waiting there for you. As is the anchor's chair. And, of course, the all important computerji (Will Shah Rukh Khan address it by some other name?).

As part of its publicity blitz for its flagship show, Star One has innundated Mumbai with hoardings (we won't mention the barrage of ads on television).

It has also erected a dummy stage, with realistic looking dummy props, at Mahim Causeway, that replicates the KBC stage.

And SRK -- or, rather, a huge hoarding of his -- informs you that KBC is back.

Now, will SRK be able to replicate Amitabh Bachchan's 'Lock kiya jaye?' charm.

That, we think, is another story altogether.

www.rediff.com

SRK rehearses for KBC

Just a couple of days before Kaun Banega Crorepati hits the small screen, Shah Rukh Khan is busy with rehearsals.

The actor, who will take home a huge pay packet for hosting the gameshow, has had the KBC setserected at his home to practise.

Whether he can fill Amitabh Bachchan's shoes is up to you to decide.

Kaun Banega Crorepati will start on January 22 at 9 pm, Monday to Thursday on Star Plus.

www.rediff.com

SRK, the Indian Oprah?

Is SRK on his way to becoming an Indian Oprah Winfrey? The famous talk show host who is known for doling out gifts to her audience, made news on the 19th season of her show by gifting all of 276 members of the audience a new car, a Pontiac!

SRK is not doling out cars as yet, but the brand new host of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 2' went a step ahead of most quiz anchors in India! As one of the contestants was eliminated from the show, SRK took off his wrist watch and gave it to him. The watch is from the same brand that the star endorses and yes, very pricey!

Dr. RK Guggilla, the second contestant on the show, or Gugs as SRK fondly addressed him, was quite taken aback on meeting the person behind the actor.

Dr Guggilla confesses that he is not a SRK fan, though he had watched many of the actor's films. The reluctant fan expected to meet a pompous actor, but was pleasantly surprised. SRK turned out to be a down-to-earth person. "He is so active, energetic and vibrant," says the doc.

Apart from making him feel completely at ease what struck Dr. Guggilla about the star, was his spontaneity and his ability to think on his feet. However, the doc hadn't seen the best of the actor still. When it was time for him to leave the show, the star took off his watch and tied it on his wrist while giving him a tight hug and reassuring him that he had played well.

Post-show, SRK chatted with the doc. "He asked about my family and told me to be a good doctor," the doctor tells us.
So moved is the doctor by the star's gesture that he has decided to gift the actor a gold watch that his wife had given to him as a wedding present. He wants to show his appreciation and while he understands that the gift may not be compared in monetary terms, it does carry a lot of emotional value, which he hopes the actor will appreciate. He has taken an appointment with the star today and hopes to gift him the watch.

Ask the doc about the Big B's stint on KBC and you know which site the scales will tilt. "Both have different style and it is not appropriate to compare them," says he. However, he does feel that Shah Rukh is more interactive, vibrant and natural than Amitabh Bachchan and more likely to appeal to the youth.

What other gimmicks can we expect from SRK on KBC? After all, young or old, everyone would appreciate getting gifts!

http://xtraedition.indiatimes.com/SRK_the_Indian_Oprah/artic leshow/1391848.cms

Reaching out to the kids: Shah Rukh's new jargon on KBC is a hit with children pic/Mandhar Deodhar
Gale milo, SRK style

Reaching out to the kids: Shah Rukh's new jargon on KBC is a hit with children pic/Mandhar DeodharShah Rukh Khan on KBC brings in a feeling of warmth that enfolds not just the contestant but also the families watching on their television sets.
Phrases like 'lock kar diya jaaye' or 'confident' became part of our every day vocabulary.
This time, Shah Rukh has come up with a new kind of lingo for people to get hooked to, like the 'gale milna' that a contestant has to ask for whenever he or she wants to quit the quiz.
This term of endearment seems to have caught the attention of children. We have seen a few of them these days returning home after playing or from school telling their friends, 'aap se gale milte hain'.
First it was Munnabhai's jadoo ki jhappi and now its SRK's 'gale milte hain' brand of friendship.
Let's have some more of these endearments and create peace everywhere.

KBC News - If youth knew and age could...

Is Nawraj's loss a dose of bad luck or was it brashness of youth?

When Nawraj from Muzzafarpur reached the hot seat last night he was a very lucky 19 year old boy indeed. To be in for a chance to win so much money at such a young age was definitely a brilliant opportunity for the boy to set his life onto the right course.

But when he crashed from 3, 20,000 and go home with only 20,000 rupees – was it a case of bad luck or was it immaturity? When he began playing, many said he was playing with such ease and calm that it was difficult to believe he was just 19years of age. Slowly but surely he made his way to 3, 20,000 and was in to win 6, 40,000 rupees when he decided to risk it. Do you think he did the right thing or would you have left with the money?

Nawraj was quite philosophical at his loss. "I know I lost but I have learnt a lot too! I have learnt a lot about life from here. And sure I'm sad to lose but I have my entire life ahead and I'm sure I'll do well in life. It would have been great to win but I don't think it's the end for me."

"And I got to meet Shah Rukh. He gave me a lot of advice at the end of it and he gave me his watch too. I will wear it and carry him with me every day… I will always remember what he told me at the end of it when I lost," adds Nawraj.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Ruler & Lover: Mass appeal to choose the hero

[ TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2007 01:18:38 AM>

KBC's rebirth this season with a new host Shah Rukh Khan has raised many an argument in living rooms, families, newspapers, media shows and gossip circles. The inevitable question is who will be the better host of the show, the one and only Amitabh Bachchan or the king of romance Shah Rukh Khan.

I am an avid television viewer and have followed the rise and fall of the various soaps and shows on Star, Sony, and Zee. I believe my interest arises from the fact that I am a social anthropologist who is keenly interested in popular culture. Being a market researcher by profession, I am also interested in how popular culture will impact brands. So brand Amitabh versus brand Shah Rukh is what I will examine in this piece today.

Amitabh has ruled Bollywood by virtue of his talent and the fact that he has been able to use his Harivansh Rai lineage to create an aura of intellectual mystique and power around his family. He is therefore, not just a talented actor but a refined thinking man who is perceived to be worthy of his father's inheritance and poetic specialness.

He has been linked with the most powerful political and industrialist families and in that sense belongs to the hallowed sect. Brand Amitabh, in every sense, is the archetypical Ruler who has lineage of poetic aristocracy, the power that stems from his political connections and the adoring public who have given him the status of king of cinema. He represents formality, refinement, power and leadership.

Shah Rukh, by contrast, has stormed Bollywood as a regular guy with no family background to speak of and no special lineage to tie him down. His love for his family and Gauri has made a place for him in the hearts of the average Indian as the playful, irreverent, eternal lover; the King of romance.

Brand Shah Rukh represents accessibility, interactiveness, youthfulness, romance, hope and optimism of the lover. He awakens people's need to experience the world through the eyes of a romantic and to see the world as a beautiful wonderful place. The Lover archetype is typified by power sharing and camaraderie; on sharing feelings, thoughts and experiences freely. A sense of cohesion comes out of a sense of being special and making others feel special.

Having established the unique archetypal roles each brand has crystallized into, it is clear that brand Shah Rukh is likely to hold greater appeal and popularity as the host of KBC than Brand Amitabh. This is because each archetype represents a different face of India and its people. It is a reflection of the coming of age for the Indian people and the country in the world arena.

India and Indians prior to globalisation were seeking approval and acceptance from the western world that had the power of success and development at its feet. Access to this world was limited to only those Indians who could ape the western model by being affluent, royal, or intellectually powerful. The average Indian was persona non-grata in visa and employment lines. India represented the land of the teeming poor who were doomed to this plight given its failure to develop like the West.

This has impacted the Indian psyche and has led to Indians revering the formal, the refined, the Brown sahib. Not surprisingly, the unconfident India found the suave, refined, formal Amitabh so compelling in KBC 1. He stood for what every Indian aspired to. His demeanour of royalty and leadership was accepted as the necessary gospel that the laity must adopt to come up in life.

India in the 2000's is an emerging power which the West is being forced to recognise and fraternise with. Self esteem and a sense of nationalistic pride is correlated with economic success and the rise in the GDP. The Indian no longer feels like a pariah in visa lines and believes his world is without boundaries and his dreams are all with a silver lining.

In this India, the patronizing and preachy air of the feudal lord Amitabh in KBC 2 did not cut much ice or make the TRPs soar. India was no longer seeking a benign ruler to show the way to success. Enter KBC 3 with Shah Rukh and the lover archetype: using his charm, his irreverence for formality. He has drawn in the Indian public encouraging them to break free from the shackles of an imposed and alien code of conduct and urged them to express themselves freely.

No shame at not being intellectually all there; no loss if one cannot speak the English language or chaste Hindi well enough; no shame at expressing one's inner feelings with the world watching . No shame at losing because failure gets the contestant a hug from Shah Rukh the lover. He also makes you feel special when he claims he is waiting for you after the short break.

Is it any wonder that India with its vast majority under the age group 35, is ready to participate in a world and experience that Shah Rukh conjures up every night when he occupies the KBC chair and places the contestant in the hot seat? KBC is the face of a new Indian who is willing to break the rules, be himself, enjoy the game, and lose no sleep over loosing if the reward at the end of it is a positive experience. If KBC 1 set the stage for the competitive Indian, KBC 3 has set the stage for the Indian who is comfortable in his own skin and wants the world to know it.

Dr Meena Kaushik

(The author is chairman, Quantum Market Research)

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/NewET/Business_of_B rands/Ruler__Lover_Mass_appeal_to_choose_the_hero/articlesho w/msid-1525296,curpg-1.cms

Credited to: Qazplm