Amitabh Bachchan's much-loved show KBC - Kaun Banega Crorepati goes digital amid lockdown, makers swap on-ground selection process for online GK tests, interviews to choose contestants
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; May 12, 2020)

'Har cheez pe brake lag sakta hai, sapnon pe nahin,' said Amitabh Bachchan in the first promo of Kaun Banega Crorepati that dropped online last week. With it, the megastar put out the message, loud and clear — the 12th season of the reality game show will kick off, unhindered by the ongoing crisis. The lockdown has compelled the makers to scrap the on-ground audition rounds that involved a GK test, followed by interviews conducted across different locations in the country. Instead, for the first time in the two-decade history of the show, producers Studio NEXT and Sony, the channel that airs it, have charted out a plan to conduct the initial rounds online. The registration process will wrap up by July after which the makers will decide the way forward.

Elaborating on the virtual selection process, a source reveals that contestants can answer the registration questions either via SMS or the SonyLIV app. Those who have answered it correctly will be shortlisted by the randomiser and will be reached out to, over the phone, for further assessment. "The audition comprising a general knowledge test and a video submission will be conducted online via SonyLIV. The final round is the personal interview with the shortlisted contestants, which will be conducted via video calls," informs the source.

The registration process began over the weekend with Bachchan posing an all too familiar question: Where in China was the Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19, first identified? The megastar, who shot for the first promo at Jalsa, is also filming the daily questions at his Juhu home.

Confirming the development, Amit Raisinghani, head, business planning and communication, Sony, says that despite the lockdown, the number of aspirants has only increased. "This is the season of firsts as the entire screening and selection will be managed digitally. We are confident that this season will redefine the power of knowledge."

Reality shows have now adopted the straight-from-home concept in a bid to get more viewers and participants from across India
Radhika Bhirani (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 11, 2020)

The reality of present times is driving a ‘new normal’ for reality TV shows. Entertainment channels are tapping into digital opportunities to set the ball rolling for their non-fiction content, in an attempt to not just woo a new set of viewers, but also to open up an alternate gateway to push participation from across the country.

For the first time, Kaun Banega Crorepati, for its 12th season, has rolled out a 100% digital selection and screening process for its contestants, amid the lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The fact that a large number people are homebound and spending long hours on TV and digital media, made it conducive, says Ashish Golwalkar, head — Content, Sony Entertainment Television (SET) and Digital Business. “We expect the participation to grow exponentially,” he adds, revealing that a digital process will soon be announced for their shows Super Dancer and Indian Idol, too.

There’s also Dance Deewane 3, which is employing a virtual screening process, enabling participants to stay safe and audition from their homes, through an app. The response has been “overwhelming”, says Manisha Sharma, head of content, Colors, adding: “We clocked 1,000+ entries in just two days. There’s no reason one should lose hope. We want our viewers to stay motivated during these tough times.”

Apart from that, viewer engagement is a key reason why MTV has formulated original content. While a first-of-its kind virtual audition for a wild card entry is happening for Roadies Revolution, the channel is also showcasing straight-from-home concepts such as Hustle From Home, a six-part series with rappers jamming from home, and Ace Quarantine, which has contestants trying to ‘ace the quarantine’ with specific tasks.

Be it amid the lockdown or even for the immediate future, straight-from-home content is becoming the norm, believes Ferzad Palia, head of Voot Select, Youth, Music, and English Entertainment, Viacom18. “Our properties have bridged the gap for new content on television. We’re adapting to the new normal,” says Palia, adding that shows riding on repute, such as Roadies, will continue to get traction.

Talking of that, to mark 25 years of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Zee’s flagship music reality show, the channel has planned a 25-hour music marathon on the web, with a concert with well-known names singing from the confines of their homes. “It’ll surely help uplift the mood of people across the world during the lockdown,” says singer Udit Narayan.

Filmmaker Ananth Mahadevan’s soon-to-be-published book, Once Upon A Prime, takes us through milestone shows of Indian TV
MUMBAI MIRROR (April 29, 2020)



How Kishore came to sing for Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi
The title refrain of Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi is still high on the television memory charts. When pop star Ajit Singh composed it, S S Oberoi blew a bugle, “lets get Kishore Kumar to sing it!” Kumar, the maverick actor-singer-composer, had not stepped out of the movie circuit before. In his legendary style, without batting an eyelid, he rattled off a figure of 18,000 rupees, the fees he charged for a film song. Oberoi didn’t blink either. He could see the song playing on television every week. Over 52 episodes it would amortize to less than 4,000 rupees a week. And so, Kishore Kumar sang for television.



When Colonel Kapoor ran behind ‘Fauji’ Shah Rukh Khan with a stone
He (Director Colonel Raj Kumar Kapoor) first ran into the 23-year-old lad named Shah Rukh Khan at Gulmohar Park in New Delhi. Kapoor’s brother-in-law auditioned him along with a bunch of others, and let them loose on the training ground. The Colonel put them through a grind unfamiliar to them. Not surprisingly three of them dropped out with a curt “we haven’t come here to join the army”. Only Khan kept up with Kapoor.

It ended in a sparring match with both donning boxing gloves. “I goaded him to hit me and he finally did. I could sense his aggressive nature. It was a presence that the camera loved. My Abhimanyu Rai was born, though honestly, I hadn’t penciled him in for the part. He was a bit of a bum though, turning up late for shoots. Once I ran behind him with a stone and that put an end to his punctuality ills.”

The other ‘bums’ weren’t a piece of cake either. The Colonel had recruited a barber on the set to clip their Samson locks. Yet the cadets continued to sport long hair. “I later discovered that they were bribing the barber,” he says. Corruption had seeped into the ‘army’, courtesy the civilians.



Govind Nihalani asked Indira Gandhi for government support for Tamas
Tamas lay untouched in Nihalani’s (director Govind Nihalani) room for more than a week. He preferred to read it when he had sufficient time out from filming. When he did get down to reading it, every sentence struck him not as words, but images. Something told him ‘this is it’. He decided that he wanted to do it, but didn’t have a clue how to go about it.

It was around that time that Nihalani’s searing human drama, his first film, Aakrosh (The Cry of the Wounded) was selected in the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India, held that year in Delhi. The directors of the films screened were invited for a tête-à-tête with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. An evening with Gandhi, however, turned into a rationed two minutes with each person.

Nihalani who was deeply under the influence of the book came straight to the point. “Madam, if a serious film were to be made on the Partition, would the government extend support?” “What do you mean by government support?” she enquired.” “The National Film Development Corporation, for instance. Regular producers do not fund this kind of film.” Gandhi instantly asked him when he wanted to make it. “It is a sensitive film. It will all depend on the political situation at that time.”

Nihalani realised that her sharp mind had taken cognizance of the Hindu-Muslim elements in the story. The communalism in the film and the country would not be without repercussions. “I realised I was sitting on a potent subject. I was certain as hell that I wanted to make the film.”

Why the Big B was apprehensive about KBC
Amitabh Bachchan’s participation in (Kaun Banega Crorepati) evoked the expected skepticism. I was privy to groups turning into all-knowing prophets of doom: “What works in formula films will not work on TV”, “Imagine diminishing his status to that of a television host”, “Did he need this at this stage of his career?”… Strangely, Bachchan himself echoed some of the sentiments “Yes, I was most apprehensive about the idea of going on to the ‘small screen’, as were most of my family members. I felt that the uncertainty of my ability to pull off something like this, was weighing more than the actual danger of reducing my size from 70mm to 21 inches. But as is with most pioneering efforts, since there were no yardsticks or examples to use for reference, I merely took the decision, and the plunge. I have never thought of myself as being in possession of any stature or for that matter being some kind of a star. I looked upon this as another job to be done and that is how I approached Kaun Banega Crorepati.”

Sri Lankan-Indian actress Radikaa Sarathkumar makes TV debut with a game-show and only female contestants
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 9, 2019)

Radikaa Sarathkumar is all set to create history with her TV debut. Next month, the 56-year-old Sri Lankan-Indian actress will start her new job as the first female host in the Kaun Banega Crorepati universe.

Based on the British show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, the game show debuted in India in July 2000. with a Hindi version, which had Amitabh Bachchan as the host who invites a contestant to the hot seat after a ‘fastest finger first’ round. While it has since been remade in several other Indian languages, including Marathi, Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Telugu and Malayalam, the upcoming season of the Tamil edition, titled Kodeeswari, will decidedly stand out, thanks to Radikaa. Additonally, as a dual record, the show will feature only female contestants this season, a worldwide first for the format.

Radikaa has worked as an actress and producer in films across five languages. Incidentally, she shared screen space with Bachchan in Laal Badshah and Aaj Ka Arjun. The long-time host of the Hindi KBC congratulated his new Tamil counterpart for the milestone, hailing it as “most encouraging, reassuring and motivating”.

As Big B shoots for Gulabo Sitabo in Lucknow, Kaun Banega Crorepati team and director Nitesh Tiwari fly down to city to film special promo
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; July 5, 2019)

Such is the magic of Amitabh Bachchan that if he can’t reach the set, the set comes to him. The megastar has been shooting for Shoojit Sircar’s Gulabo Sitabo in Lucknow over the past two weeks.

As Bachchan was unable to fly down to Mumbai in the middle of the schedule, the makers of Kaun Banega Crorepati headed to the City of Nawabs to shoot the final promo with him. The teaser was helmed by Dangal (2016) director Nitesh Tiwari and will air on July 6, before the 11th season kicks off in August.

A source reveals, “The initial plan was to shoot the promo at Film City. But when the channel and the producers realised that Big B could not take time off from the Lucknow leg, they decided to take the first available flight to the city. The promo was shot on Monday. It is a light-hearted concept that sees Bachchan share the frame with a Lucknow-based contestant and several locals.”

While juggling two assignments in a day can be a tough ask, Bachchan straddled his film commitment and the promo shoot with ease. “He shot for the film’s sequences in the morning, after which he reported to the show’s set.”

It has been 18 years since Big B first introduced us to his know-it-all ‘Computer ji’. As he gears up to sit on the hot seat once again, the veteran has upped his sartorial game. “Though he will be wearing classic striped and checkered suits, the superstar will experiment with his ties. He will be seen sporting the triple knotted looks, which include the Eldredge, trinity and the cape knot.”

The channel officials chose to not comment on the Lucknow shoot, but a source close to them confirmed the news.

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 29, 2019)

Mirror had earlier reported (March 4) that Nagraj Manjule is making his small screen debut as the host of Kon Honar Crorepati, the Marathi version of Kaun Banega Crorepati. Now, we have learnt that the director, who recently wrapped up his Hindi directorial debut featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Jhund, has turned singer for his show. “Yes, I’ve sung the title song which captures the show’s essence. I am not a great singer, but my voice sounds surprisingly good. You will see me rap in the music video too,” Nagraj informs.

The Hindi version of KBC is hosted by the Big B but the National Award-winning director is quick to add, “It’s wrong to compare yourself with Mr Bachchan, no one can do what he does. He has made the show memorable and I’d like to carry it forward to the best of my ability. It’s an unchartered territory for me, but the fact that it connects people with their dreams is something I can relate to. It requires a dignified approach and I hope to succeed.” Good wishes from his Jhund leading man has boosted his confidence. Nagraj who has grown up watching Bachchan, says his dedication motivates him.

The filmmaker who hit pay dirt with his Marathi film Sairat, is currently busy with the postproduction of the sports drama set against the backdrop of slum football. He reveals that researching the subject was a tedious but enjoyable journey. “I worked on it for over two years to make it as authentic as possible. I had to understand the sport before writing the story, and in doing so I realised that it belongs in my zone,” he asserts.

Was it difficult to get Bachchan on board? “No, he loved the story so I didn’t have to convince him. He trusted my vision and came on board,” Nagraj signs off with a smile.

MUMBAI MIRROR (November 19, 2018)

Sidharth Malhotra says he can never stop being a fanboy when it comes to Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan because of their “brilliant” and “inspiring” portfolio of work.

Talking about how Shah Rukh inspired him to become an actor, Sidharth said that it started with him being from Delhi. “All Delhi boys want to be heroes and Shah Rukh Khan is a major reason. I used to find him really funny and I still do. Shah Rukh is extremely good with comedy,” he pointed out, confiding that at one point he had a hair parting like SRK’s. Back then, the ‘student’ never thought he will become an actor himself. “I didn’t know what it took to go on the other side and be on screen. But there was so much admiration and concentration when I would watch his scenes that there is big impression of Shah Rukh Khan and his cinema on me,” Sidharth said.

He came face-to-face with his idol when he was working as an assistant director on Karan Johar’s directorial My Name Is Khan (pictured above) which featured SRK. “I was too scared and nervous to walk up to him and chat. I think the first thing I told him was, ‘Sir, aap biscuit khayenge?’ He was waiting for a shot and we were in Los Angeles. I was the AD with the walkie talkie in my ear waiting to tell him when to go for that shot. There was this awkward moment so I said the first thing that came to my head. He looked at me, smiled and said, ‘Nahin nahin.’ He eventually realised I wanted to be an actor and started talking to me about different things,” he flashbacked.

Talking about his first meeting with Big B on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati during the Student of the Year promotions, he recounted, “We met him backstage and he was very sweet. He shook my hand and patted me on the back. I am still a big Bachchan fan, even when I meet him now and have an immense amount of love for him.”

Chhaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; October 11, 2017)

Siddhartha Basu, who is known as the father of quiz shows following his immense popularity as the host, also has the distinction of being the first one to direct megastar Amitabh Bachchan on the small screen. The year was 2000 and Star Plus, which was facing tough competition from the Hindi GECs (general entertainment channels) decided to adapt the hit international show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in Hindi with none other than Bachchan as the host and it changed both the channel and Big B’s fortunes. Seventeen years and eight seasons later, the show produced and directed by Basu is still going strong, albeit on Sony. Here, the producer-director talks about his association with the superstar, what makes him indefatigable and why Big B is the best in business!

What was your reaction when you got to know Amitabh Bachchan will be hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati and you will be directing him?
My jaw dropped when Sameer Nair, then head of Star programming, asked me what I thought of the suggestion of Amitabh Bachchan hosting KBC. It was obviously a great fit, given his gravitas, charisma and sense of drama, but no film star had hosted a TV show till then, leave alone a titan like him, and the prospect of pulling off a complex and elaborate show like that for the first time in India, seemed more daunting with a megastar as host. My response was — if you can convince him, great.

Did you feel intimidated by the superstar?
Not really. I’m fully mindful of stardom, but have never been daunted by it. Of course, I have all due respect for his talent and seniority, and relate to him accordingly. Given his personality, it’s a little like being a head prefect with an imposing headmaster.

Tell us about your first meeting with Bachchan.
It was a cold and windy day, outside St James’ hotel in London. We were on the way to an orientation meeting with EMI, the partner company of Celador for the Asia-Pacific region. He was characteristically cautious, reserved and wary of what lay before him, as he was going to decide whether or not he was going to do the show, after finding out what went into the show, and watching a recording.

Being a popular quiz master yourself, what were your thoughts when Bachchan hosted the first episode?
My role with him has primarily been as a quiz or game show coach and guide, based on what I know of the genre, and my personal experience as a host, apart from being the director/producer of KBC. The sessions went on over three months before we recorded the first show in 2000. Every season, we still do sessions and mocks before we get to the floor.

Having interacted with him for so many years, did you discover any new aspects to the actor?
I relate to him, as our host, not an actor, but I know he thoroughly enjoys the art and act of performance in any role, including the act of anchoring. As a host, his thorough and diligent preparation for every episode, treating each episode on its own merit, conducting each game and drawing out each contestant with empathy and elan, are what mark him out as one of the best in the business, worldwide.

Even after 17 years, the superstar is as energetic and enthusiastic as he was in the first season. What makes him indefatigable?
I believe it’s his passion for performance, the oxygen of appreciation, and an appetite for excellence, that fuels his amazing drive and stamina. He sets a punishing pace for himself, literally bounds on to the floor each time, raring to go, often working 12-14 hours a day on the floor with us, with rare concentration and energy.

Do you feel more comfortable with Bachchan now? He is known to be guarded and doesn’t allow anybody in his inner circle.
Ours is a professional and cordial relationship. He remains what he’s always been — focussed on the job, intent on hitting high benchmarks. Off camera, he’s a great storyteller and has a fine sense of humour, but there’s little time to chill, given his kind of packed schedule, in which 24 hours a day are far too little. What the inner team of KBC gets to experience and support closely is how an actor, or rather, an anchor like him prepares.

What was the biggest revelation about him after you got to know him personally?
He’s his own hardest taskmaster.

In the earlier seasons, contestants would say they just wanted to meet Bachchan — the show and the money didn’t matter. Does that still continue or has it changed to some extent?
They are increasingly the true stars of the show, offering true glimpses of diverse and complex Indians, who seldom get the attention they deserve in our mass media. Their motivation to come on the show remain multifold, from meeting the Big B, to earning recognition and rewards. Since it came on to Sony, in the fourth season, the hallmark of the show has been that KBC has become a mahamauka, a mahamanch, for the aam aadmi to shine in khaas colours. What’s been critical to the selection of contestants, in addition to their gaming ability, is their articulation, personality, life experience, and their representative-ness of a changing India. These are accentuated as they bask in the glow of a star host who shines a warm and empathetic light on them. The human story unfolding through a knowledge game, is, after all, the DNA of the show.

Do you and Bachchan discuss how to better the show and keep an eye on the ratings?
We’re constantly looking to innovate, experiment, make things better. The creative and content team are always in an ongoing dialogue with Mr B on how to keep raising the bar. He’s not so twigged on to ratings, just on doing his best. Which is exactly my attitude. Of course, it’s gratifying to rule the roost on the ratings chart. But beyond ratings, what matters most is the quality of appreciation, the range and depth of attention from viewers of all kinds, not just in India, but wherever it’s showing, all over the world.

Sunil Grover, whose show was to replace his, was on the finale of a dance show on a rival channel
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 25, 2017)

Siddhartha Basu on his 17-year-old show Kaun Banega Crorepati, Big B and making quizzing a household name
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; September 3, 2017)

Siddhartha Basu is a celebrity in his own right. He is often stopped and asked for selfies. The veteran television producer-director, better known as the grandfather of quiz masters, says, "I oblige, but they [fans] do not leave before asking me a question." Just when you think they pose a random question to test his general knowledge, he laughs aloud, "It's far from that. People ask me, 'What has happened to your hair? Where has it gone?' There is always this negative connotation. Viewers still remember me as the way they have seen me on TV. I tell them, blame it [the receding hairline] on my genes. I don't think I will ever do anything for a better crop of hair."

Old connect
It's over three decades since he hosted Quiz Time on Doordarshan, "so people still expect me to look the same," he sighs as we catch up with him at an event for Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), the quiz show he is best known for. "It has been 17 years that KBC has been running. There is an entire new generation out there."

Hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, a new season of KBC went on air last week. Except for one outing in 2007, which was anchored by Shah Rukh Khan, Big B remains the face of the show. "I have a warm, cordial relation with him [Bachchan]. He is meticulous and KBC is special to him. Given that our association dates back 17 years, it's a special bond -- an old one."

Basu rues the fact that Bachchan does not converse with him in Bengali. "He is only Bangla when he is with Shoojit Sircar [filmmaker]. Perhaps my Bengali is not all that good." Not many know that Sircar was part of KBC in its early seasons. "Shoojit is an old colleague, we used to work together." This was also the reason Basu agreed to turn actor in Sircar's critically-acclaimed film Madras Café (2013). So also the association with Dangal (2016) director Nitesh Tiwari, who directed the promos for the show. "He has conceptualised several campaigns for the show during his advertising days."

Online information
Over the years, Basu has had a task force making a bank of questions -- easy, tough and the impossible ones. Even though now information is a click away, Basu avers, "Some answers you still can't Google. There is so much of information out there including rubbish. You need to know how and where to find the authentic and correct stuff."

Basu is also producer of an open textbook kind of show for a news channel for students. "They are allowed to Google it but often it may not give you the the right answer."

When Bachchan was first offered KBC in 2000, those close to the actor were not keen that he take up television, but Big B was adamant. Basu, along with the star, travelled to England to check out the original show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? They visited the sets and Bachchan told them to make it on identical lines. "We have been following the international format, except for some changes as it is in Hindi and to suit the Indian audience." The reason it has new terms like computerji and lock kiya jay. Terms that they brainstormed and which have become synonymous with the show.

Special moments
Basu says KBC has become more than just a quiz show. "It is all about those special and unforgettable moments. The DNA of the show is that a life changes in front of you. This season there are 15 questions for the Rs 7 crore jackpot." Several contestants claim they want to be on the show to meet Big B. "The show is about enriching the common man's life," he says.

Though the quiz master has also produced reality shows like Dus Ka Dum, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and India's Got Talent, he still remains synonymous with KBC.

Would he ever be on the hot seat? "I am a quiz maker and quiz master, not a quizzer. I find joy in finding information and unless you enjoy the process, it will not amaze you."

KBC's jackpot questions

Who among these does the Indian Constitution permit to take part in the proceedings of Parliament?
A. Solicitor General
B. Attorney General
C. Cabinet Secretary
D. Chief Justice
Answer: Attorney General
Answered by: Harshvardhan Navathe, the first crorepati, in 2000

Which colonial power ended its involvement in India by selling the rights of the Nicobar Islands to the British on October 18, 1868?
A. Belgium
B. Italy
C. Denmark
D. France
Answer: Denmark
Answered by: Sushil Kumar, who was the first contestant to win Rs 5 crore in 2011.

Who is the first woman to successfully climb K2, the world's second highest mountain peak?
A. Junko Tabei
B. Wanda Rutkiewicz
C. Tamae Watanabe
D. Chantal Mauduit
Answer: Wanda Rutkiewicz
Answered by: Sunmeet Kaur Sawhney, who was the second contestant to win Rs 5 crore in 2013.

Who commanded the Hector, the first British trading ship to land at Surat?
A. Paul Canning
B. William Hawkins
C. Thomas Roe
D. James Lancaster
Answer: William Hawkins
Answered by: Achin and Sarthak Narula who won Rs 7 crore in 2014