Showing posts with label Kaun Banega Crorepati 12. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kaun Banega Crorepati 12. Show all posts
Ghatkopar doctor becomes first Mumbai-based contestant in 8 years to win Rs 1 crore on KBC
8:06 AM
Neha Shah becomes first Mumbai-based contestant in eight years to win Rs 1 crore prize money on Amitabh Bachchan's Kaun Banega Crorepati 12
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; January 7, 2021)
Ghatkopar doctor Neha Shah had been vying for the hot seat since Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) began 20 years ago. But little had she imagined that she would sing Jiska mujhe tha intezar (Don, 1978) for host Amitabh Bachchan on the reality show. Or that she would walk away with Rs 1 crore prize money, becoming the first Mumbai-based contestant to hit the jackpot, in eight years. The last winner from the city was Sunmeet Kaur Sawhney in 2012.
A quizzer, Shah kept herself abreast of current affairs by reading newspapers. "But when I was selected for the 12th season, I began reading about mythology, history, social sciences and the solar system. I bought an atlas to study the countries and their cities." She was so busy preparing that she didn't have time to buy an outfit for the show. "I borrowed my friend's dress," she grins.
Ask her how Bachchan reacted when she crooned for him, and she says, "He asked after my family, and put me at ease. So, I focussed on getting the right answers rather than the amount I was making." Shah, who has been a frontline worker, adds that most of her patients were aware of her aspiration to participate in KBC.
Amitabh Bachchan to juggle between the shoots of Kaun Banega Crorepati 12 & MayDay
8:16 AM
Busy filming for KBC at Film City, Bachchan to hop across studios to shoot for Ajay Devgn's MayDay at same location
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; January 2, 2021)
Soon after he wraps up duties as host of the celebrated reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati 12, Amitabh Bachchan will hop across the studios of Film City to join Ajay Devgn for his directorial venture, MayDay. mid-day has it that the actor will begin filming for Devgn's movie, that apparently sees the latter as a pilot.
A source says, "Amitabh Bachchan has been shooting for KBC, and will also shoot for MayDay at the same venue. A set is being created, and the veteran is expected to join the cast by the third week of January for a leg that is expected to run till the second week of February."
Devgn has been shooting a few high-octane flight sequences in Hyderabad since 25 days, and has reportedly asked his team to prepare for the Mumbai leg ahead of his return to the city on January 15. The unit is creating a set in a confined space so that Devgn can direct Bachchan while maintaining social distancing protocols.
This marks the duo's first collaboration in seven years after the actors have delivered revered offerings like Major Saab, Khakee, and Satyagraha. The film is expected to release on April 29, 2022. It also features Rakul Preet Singh. mid-day reached out to Devgn's team, which confirmed the development.
I was reliving the moment from Slumdog Millionaire, says KBC's Rs. 1 crore winner Nazia Nasim
8:13 AM
Ranchi-born Nazia Nasim on becoming the first crorepati of Amitabh Bachchan-hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati 12
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; November 12, 2020)
It's one of those cherished moments that Nazia Nasim will remember for decades to come. Last night, the Ranchi-born communications professional became the first participant on Kaun Banega Crorepati 12 to walk home with Rs 1 crore. Ask her how she felt when host Amitabh Bachchan announced that she had hit the jackpot, and she quips, "I spontaneously gave a Miss Universe reaction. I was on top of the world. I was reliving the moment from Slumdog Millionaire [2008]."
The all-important question that earned her the whopping sum was: Which actress won a National Film Award for best female playback singer? Nasim, who is "a voracious reader with a sharp memory", chose Roopa Ganguly from the options provided.
Currently working with Royal Enfield in Gurugram, she reveals that she has been vying for the hot seat ever since the reality show began 20 years ago. "I have been trying to be on the show for years — from the landline days to mobile phones and now, online. My mother [Bushra] is a fan of Mr Bachchan." Nasim intends to keep a part of the prize money for her parents' and in-laws' medical care, and for 10-year-old son Danyaal's soccer training. "I will decide what to do with the rest of the money when the euphoria dies down," she says.
Amitabh Bachchan is booked for a year
8:15 AM
With a TV show, two complete films, three upcoming shoots and one project to be announced, Amitabh Bachchan is booked for a year
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 12, 2020)
While most actors half his age are still wondering about when to get back into action, Amitabh Bachchan brought in his 78th birthday on Sunday on a set, but took a break to be with the family for a rather quiet celebration later in the day. After battling the Coronavirus for almost three weeks, the actor has resumed work on the ongoing season of his reality show, Kaun Banega Crorepati. He shoots from 9 am to 9 pm, and then puts in a stint at the recording studio, rationalising his hectic schedule with something his father, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, would always say, “Jab tak jeevan hai, tab tak sangharsh hai (Till the time one lives, the struggle continues).”
From November, the actor will commence shoot on his action fantasy adventure, Brahmastra, fronted by Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. “It’s just patchwork so he should be done in less than a week,” revealed a source close to the actor.
After Brahmastra, there’s a yet-to-be-announced project, before he moves to Nag Ashwin’s futuristic sci-fi, also featuring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, which is expected to roll in the summer of 2021. Bachchan plays one of the central characters, who is at the core of the conflict. Contrary to speculations, it’s not a cameo, but a full-fledged role and he has already allotted bulk dates for it.
After wrapping it up, Big B will commence Vikas Bahl’s coming-of-age comedy, Deadly, which revolves around a funeral. “He has been in contact with the filmmaker all through the lockdown and has had multiple script reading sessions with Vikas,” informs the source. He will be joined by an A-list actress.
Over the last few months, Bachchan has also been busy dubbing for two films which are complete, Nagraj Popatrao Manjule’s Jhund, in which he plays football coach to a team of slum kids, and Rumy Jafry’s Chehre where he puts a stranger — who has sought refuge at his outhouse for the night after his car breaks down on the dock in his mock courtroom telling him, “Behind every successful man is a crime.”
For Amitabh Bachchan on KBC, we used brooches, collar pins as they can be sanitized-Priya Patil
8:39 AM
In a bid to ensure Amitabh Bachchan's safety amid the pandemic, Kaun Banega Crorepati stylist discusses how megastar's clothing goes through sanitisation before shoot
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; October 11, 2020)
Dress him up in a regal bandhgala, a classic suit or a quirky blazer, Amitabh Bachchan will pull them off with aplomb. The megastar, who turns 78 today, is a timeless fashion icon who keeps abreast of international trends and isn't afraid to experiment.
As the host of the ongoing Kaun Banega Crorepati, Bachchan is seen flaunting distinct formal wear, five times a week. His wardrobe was earlier designed by leading couturiers, Rohit Bal and Ravi Bajaj, with Priya Patil serving as the stylist. She took over the reins in 2018. "He embraces unusual silhouettes, so he is the easiest star to work with. There are times when I wonder if a particular piece will look appealing, but when Mr Bachchan wears it, the outfit comes alive because of his charisma and personality," says the stylist-designer.
Work on his outfits begins as soon as the prep for the show is underway. Patil informs that the meetings were conducted virtually this year due to the pandemic. "He prefers dark colours like black, maroon and navy blue. As it is a late evening show, three-piece suits and bandhgalas go well, but there is a pop of colour in the pocket handkerchief, scarves and socks," she says.
Even as the focus was on upping his style quotient, there was an added responsibility this year to ensure Bachchan's safety. Where the host experimented with different tie knots last year—including the eldredge, trinity and rose knots—Patil did away with them this time around as they would need to be fixed constantly during the shoot. "Considering we are practising physical distancing, we have introduced brooches and collar pins instead. They can be easily sanitised as well."
Patil works out of her workshop in suburban Mumbai. "Once the outfits are tailored, we ensure minimum physical contact. When they are brought to the set at Film City, they are sprayed with disinfectants before being dispatched to his vanity van," says the designer, who wears a hazmat suit and has to go through sanitiser showers while on the set. The fabric and buttons would earlier be imported from Italy and the UK. "This year they were sourced from local traders since importing was difficult."
Since a handshake is discouraged, Amitabh Bachchan has devised an elbow bump for KBC-Arun Sheshkumar
8:05 AM
Ahead of Kaun Banega Crorepati 12 going on air, director on how Amitabh Bachchan is hosting the popular reality show amid restrictions
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; September 24, 2020)
Amitabh Bachchan holds the first season of Kaun Banega Crorepati close to his heart — after all, it marked the beginning of a long and joyful association. Though for entirely different reasons, the upcoming 12th season will presumably hold an important place in his 20-year journey with the reality show. Certain that the quiz show will not be hindered by the current crisis, the megastar and the crew began shooting for it earlier this month.
"Mr Bachchan keeps saying, 'Kitna vichitra ho gaya hai,'" begins director Arun Sheshkumar, admitting that filming in the post-COVID world entails a host of restrictions. While many participate in the game show with their eyes on the prize, there is no denying that most contestants aspire to be on the hot seat in the hope of shaking hands with their screen idol. "Since a handshake is discouraged in the prevailing situation, Mr Bachchan has devised an elbow bump. He does it in a cute manner; fans will surely imitate him," adds the director.
In their bid to be "mentally positive, and not COVID-positive", the unit has adopted necessary precautions on the Film City set. Sheshkumar says that the control rooms have been modified to include glass partitions, thus ensuring that the crew members maintain physical distancing. The unit hands are dressed in PPE suits, and their temperature and oxygen readings are constantly monitored. Bachchan enters and exits the set from a special passage made solely for him. "He interacts with the unit members over the mic, and checks the monitor through a glass partition."
For the first time since its inception, the show — which airs on September 28 — does not have a live audience. "The set has been tweaked accordingly. We will miss them, but everyone's safety is the need of the hour." With the audience missing, contestants no longer have the lifeline of an audience poll. It has been replaced with video-call a friend, in addition to the existing lifelines. "[Upon selection] contestants have to undergo a Coronavirus test, after which they are put in quarantine. They are tested again before the shoot. We have restricted the number of people who can accompany each contestant to one," adds Sheshkumar.
No COVID-19 cases on Kaun Banega Crorepati 12 set, says channel
9:44 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; September 6, 2020)
A few days ago, it had been reported that two crew members of Kaun Banega Crorepati 12 had tested positive for Coronavirus. However, the channel is refuting this claim. In an exclusive statement to BT, Sony Entertainment Television wrote: “There have been no COVID positive cases reported on the set of Kaun Banega Crorepati. The shoot of the show hasn’t started yet and will commence on September 7.”
Ever since the promo of the show was shot by director Nitesh Tiwari a few days ago, rumours of two people testing positive for COVID-19 had started doing the rounds. A source close to the production house told us, “The promo was shot several days ago and it barely took a few hours. After that, there was no information of anyone feeling unwell or getting tested for Coronavirus. The puja for the show was performed on September 4 on the set, which is now ready. So, reports of people testing positive for corona on the KBC sets are false because shooting hasn’t even commenced so far. As per schedule, shooting of the show will start on September 7.”
As Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek are hospitalised all their shoots have been delayed
8:48 AM
As Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan are hospitalised after testing COVID-19 positive, filming of latter's The Big Bull deferred; Kolkata schedule of Bob Biswas pushed to post-monsoon
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; July 13, 2020)
Since Saturday night, Twitter has been flooded with wishes of speedy recovery after Amitabh Bachchan informed his legion of fans that he had tested positive for Coronavirus. The veteran — along with actor-son Abhishek Bachchan, who is also infected — was admitted to Nanavati Hospital in Vile Parle. While the two are stable and showing mild symptoms, the next 20 days will be crucial as they undergo treatment.The recent development puts the brakes on their professional commitments. Bachchan has no shoot lined up until September when Kaun Banega Crorepati 12 is expected to roll. It may be recalled that adhering to the lockdown rules, the megastar, in May, had shot the game show's promo in the confines of his home as Nitesh Tiwari directed him virtually.
On his part, Abhishek followed the safety guidelines as he began dubbing for Breathe - Into The Shadows at an Andheri recording studio, after the restrictions were partially lifted in June. With the Amazon Prime Video series dropping online over the weekend, the actor was to train his focus on the five-day schedule of The Big Bull.
"We had maintained that we will begin shooting by July-end or early August. We can easily push the shoot to a later date now. After all, their health comes first," says producer Anand Pandit, who promptly reached out to Abhishek after hearing of their ill-health. "My prayers are with Bachchan saab and him. I am sure they will be fine." Despite the delay, Pandit is assured that the financial crime drama will be able to meet its deadline. "The October release of The Big Bull stands unchanged. We may have to expedite the post-production work to meet the release date."
The actor, 44, was to resume work on Sujoy Ghosh's Bob Biswas in Kolkata, in August. A source close to the project reveals, "Even though shoots have begun, stricter lockdown rules have been imposed in the city now. Several areas of south Kolkata are identified as containment zones. In light of the situation and Abhishek's health, the producers have deferred the week-long shoot; they will probably head to work only post-monsoon."
Home Quarantine For Aishwarya, Aaradhya
Abhishek Bachchan confirmed on Twitter on Sunday afternoon that wife Aishwarya and daughter Aaradhya had also tested positive. He added that the duo will be self-quarantining at home. Though Jaya Bachchan, who recently returned from Delhi, has tested negative, sources close to the family say she is being closely monitored for symptoms. Meanwhile, Amit Sadh, who met Abhishek during the dubbing of Breathe 2, informed his fans that he has taken "a precautionary COVID test" and is awaiting the results.
Why is this 65+ age rule applied only to the film industry, and not politicians?-Shabana Azmi
8:35 AM
After Hema Malini seeks amendment in government resolution prohibiting artistes over 65 from shooting in the wake of COVID-19, Shabana Azmi, Paresh Rawal question the discriminatory guideline
Upala KBR, Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; July 11, 2020)
On May 31, the state government announced the resumption of film and television shoots, issuing a comprehensive set of guidelines to be followed by the cast and crew. One of the regulations barred artistes and technicians over 65 years from shooting. This has created a furore in the industry that has several senior actors — including Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Dharmendra and Mithun Chakraborty — at the top of their game.Last week, Hema Malini shot off a letter to Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, requesting an amendment in the resolution. She cited the examples of Bachchan, Anupam Kher and herself stating that they "will be restricted from completing their previous and recurring projects."
Azmi, who was to film Mughal, her next with Nikkhil Advani, asserts that the rule is discriminatory. "A small portion of Vikas Khanna's untitled film has yet to be shot. What happens to these projects? Why should producers have to sign on younger artistes and make them sport grey hair? Why is this rule applied only to the film industry, and not politicians? Will they ensure that no leader above 65 will attend any political rally," she questions, before pointing out that it affects the livelihoods of countless senior technicians. "They don't run parallel businesses whereby they can make up their losses."Even as he understands that the guideline has been designed to safeguard senior citizens from contracting the virus, Paresh Rawal, 65, believes the implementation is impractical. "[The sets] should have the necessary safety measures in place, including sanitisation. So many doctors and nurses over 65 years of age are on the field every day. They are exposed to more severe conditions."
Will KBC Be Delayed?
The fate of Kaun Banega Crorepati season 12 hangs in the balance, in light of the government resolution. After all, Amitabh Bachchan, 77, is synonymous with the quiz show. Amid rumours that Sony Entertainment may delay the latest season, a source from the show says, "KBC cannot be imagined without Big B. There is no question of the megastar being replaced. The shoot may be rescheduled." Despite the Coronavirus lockdown, the makers had kicked off the selection process in May.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)