The Indian version of the television game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" has a new presenter.
The series was made popular by Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan. It will now be hosted by another Bollywood icon, Shah Rukh Khan. Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?", was launched by Star Entertainment India in 2000. With Bachchan as anchor, it become one of India's most watched TV programmes. The media market is abuzz with the news, with many commentators predicting that Khan will be good for the channel. But all agree that Bachchan will be a tough act to follow.
Younger feel Mr Bachchan, known as "Big B", has delivered many a Bollywood hit and hosted the show for two complete seasons.
 Amitabh Bachchan is a legend in Indian cinema |
The superstar was halfway through a third when he fell ill last December. He underwent an operation for diverticular disease - a condition caused by inflammation of the colon. The show was discontinued in January when the actor failed to return to work after a month's rest. The channel hopes to bring the show back on air with its new host by January 2007. Star India said the channel wanted to reach out to an Indian audience where two-thirds of the population is below 35.
'Huge act' New presenter Shah Rukh Khan - also known as King Khan or Badshah (King) of Bollywood - is one of the most popular stars in the Indian film industry.
 | It's hoped that the new presenter will appeal to a younger audience 
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His latest release, Don, is a remake of the film released in the 1970s and in a curious twist of fate, his role is the same as that played by Amitabh Bachchan in the original. Khan says he is surprised and excited by his new role. "I was a participant in season one of KBC - little did I know one day I will be hosting it," he said in a statement. "It is a huge act to follow, that of Mr Bachchan... But it also excites me that I am getting an opportunity to reach out, talk and interact with my audience through a medium where I began my career as an actor years ago." Star India Chief Executive Sameer Nair told the BBC that Amitabh Bachchan had said it would not be possible for him to continue hosting the show and they had respected his request. He said Khan was not "taking" Bachchan's position, because the show was like a torch that is passed on.
'Natural style' Many believe that the new host - with his dynamic image - will be successful in bringing in younger audiences. "Shah Rukh Khan enjoys tremendous fan following among younger people and it will be beneficial for the channel to get their attention," said industry expert Nandini Dias. "The only problem I see is if they don't follow his natural style," said another expert, Manish Porwal. "That is what Shah Rukh Khan is famous for and that is who he is. If they keep the format the same and expect him to follow Amitabh Bachchan's style or ask him to repeat the lines his predecessor made famous, then there will be too much comparison and that won't be good for the programme." Many feel that that the programme was not doing as well in its third season as in the first and second.
And such will be the pressure on Khan that there will be no opportunities to phone a friend, ask the audience or get rid of two wrong answers.
Edited by murwareed - 18 years ago
Hindi TV Shows
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