Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 18, 2017)

The general knowledge-based game-show Kaun Banega Crorepati is expected to be back on air in the next two months after its eighth season in 2014. But Mirror has learnt that one of the major changes it is set to undergo is a replacement for Amitabh Bachchan. Both Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit have been approached to take over as the new host.

A source from the channel says, “Mr Bachchan’s daughter-in-law Aishwarya is among those who has been approached to take over as quiz master for season nine. The channel is in talks with both Madhuri and Aishwarya.”

The show, which kicked off on Star Plus in 2000, moved to Sony in 2004. Bachchan’s tenure as host had been interrupted when Shah Rukh Khan took over in season three. In all these years, KBC has never been hosted by a female celebrity and the channel is considering Aishwarya and Madhuri because they want to bring some novelty to the familiar format.

We reached out to both Aishwaya and Madhuri’s spokespersons but they chose not to comment.