Set to air today, the prime time episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati will be its 1000th. It’s a prominent landmark for both, the show, as well as host Amitabh Bachchan — if the reality offering gave Bachchan’s career a new lease of life in 2000, the legend’s work made the series among the most popular ones on Indian television. It’s only fitting then that this landmark be celebrated. Arun Sheshkumar, who directed Bachchan in almost 600 episodes of KBC, says there was no better way to mark the occasion than to invite Bachchan’s family, including daughter Shweta and grand-daughter Navya Naveli Nanda as guests.

The cherry on the cake, we’re told, will be the debut appearance of Jaya Bachchan, on the show, albeit virtually. “This will be among the top five episodes of the 600 that I have directed. Initially, [Bachchan] had reservations about calling his family, because it could seem like a promotion. When he was convinced, Shweta and Navya were nervous. But, they became comfortable when we rolled. He kept switching from being KBC’s host to a proud father and grandfather,” says Sheshkumar.

Sheshkumar knew that viewers are hungry to see the man behind the star that Bachchan is, or has especially emerged to be in the last 21 years since KBC rolled. “In the years since KBC started, he has become more accessible to the common man; he has been available for the live audience, and has interacted with his fans on the set. In each episode, he talks to them, and acknowledges their importance. Whether in misery or pain, he has respected them.”

As is customary when celebrities attend the show, Navya donated her earnings for a noble cause. “It was to a lady who teaches children, so that nobody remains uneducated,” he reveals.

“We had Jaya ji’s availability for half an hour alone, but [she stayed for longer]. She shared personal anecdotes, pulled Mr Bachchan’s leg, while Navya pulled a lot of pranks on him.”

Stylist Priya Patil with Amitabh Bachchan

It isn’t uncommon for Amitabh Bachchan’s on-screen style to be replicated by millions across the country. But the megastar’s suave appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati 13 has earned him a new admirer — the President of the Republic of Nauru, Lionel Rouwen Aingimea. Bachchan’s stylist Priya Patil reveals that last month, she was requested to design a collection of tie-bows, similar to the ones the superstar wears on the quiz show, for the president.

Patil is naturally elated as she introduced the tie-bow — an accessory inspired by the Victorian cravat — this season. “I have used brooches, embroidery, and ribbons for Mr Bachchan’s tie-bows. In Nauru, one will find many Bollywood fans. President Lionel Rouwen Aingimea put in a request for the tie-bow after he saw Mr Bachchan’s styling and was fascinated by his wardrobe,” says the designer, who has styled Bachchan for commercials and two of his upcoming movies.

Knowing that the veteran prefers classic cuts in deep hues of greys and browns, she elevates the look with accessories. Little had she imagined that her quirky take would catch the attention of the political leader in the Central Pacific island country. Patil adds, “A member from the Nauru government contacted me, and requested me to design a collection of tie-bows and accessories for the president. It is an honour. Mr Bachchan is adored by many, and is the ultimate fashion icon. The president taking inspiration from him makes me ecstatic.”

The designer has begun work on the collection, having received a mood board that reflects the various aesthetic and cultural elements of the country. “[They have sent references of] their national bird, their national flag’s colours, the country crest and theme, and finally, the colours that the president likes. Based on these [elements], I will design the collection.”

To celebrate the upcoming festival of lights, the team of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) has lined up special episodes with the Diwali theme. The final episode of the week sees actors Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and director Rohit Shetty on the hot seat opposite Amitabh Bachchan. Besides putting their general knowledge to the test, the Sooryavanshi trio will pay tribute to the megastar host in their unique way.

KBC director Arun Sheshkumar says that Kumar sprang a surprise during the taping of the episode by dancing to Bachchan’s song, Sara Zamana from Yaarana (1981). “Akshay went backstage, and came back wearing a jacket with lights on it. Amit ji noted that Akshay was wearing a battery-operated jacket. He recalled that during the shoot, he had to wear a 220-watt jacket with a live wire in it. He joked that while people felt he was dancing, he was getting shocks in reality,” laughs Sheshkumar.

Kaif, who had done a special number in the 2012 Agneepath remake, was in her element as she mouthed Bachchan’s dialogues from the original action drama. The show took an emotional turn when Bachchan and Shetty exchanged anecdotes about the filmmaker’s action director-father, the late M B Shetty. “Rohit charted his own journey from being an AD on the sets of Suhaag [1994] to becoming a director. He noted that his father had worked with Amit ji on several films.”

What can you gift a megastar who has it all? The question haunted the creative team of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) over the past month, as their superstar-host Amitabh Bachchan’s birthday drew near. “We always keep in mind that we shouldn’t overdo it as he likes to keep things simple,” says Arun Sheshkumar, who has been directing the quiz show over the past nine years. After much deliberation, the answer came to him. “The best way to celebrate his birthday would be by roping in his fans.”

As Bachchan turned 79 yesterday, the reality show aired a special episode that saw his fans as part of the audience. The idea stemmed from the fact that the megastar was unable to meet his admirers over the past one-and-a-half years due to the pandemic. “Many fans on social media said that they missed his Sunday darshan. Sir too wrote about [sorely missing] the ritual, in his blogs. He considers his fans his extended family.”

The KBC team reached out to the prominent fan clubs across the country. “We invited 100 ardent fans whom he recognizes and knows by their names. They were [brought in] from different parts of India, including Faridabad, Agra, Kolkata and Gujarat.” The fans had a surprise for their cine idol — some of them sported Bachchan’s iconic looks from  different films. “We also made a video featuring all the people whose lives have been touched by sir. He got emotional on seeing it.”

While the episode was taped early last week, the crew had another surprise for Bachchan on Saturday. Sheshkumar says, “We celebrated his birthday on the set because he usually doesn’t shoot on his big day. The crew was wearing T-shirts that had sir’s picture and the show’s tagline on it. Team AB was written on the tees. We stood outside his vanity van, and as he stepped out, we sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him. He was overwhelmed.”

On Friday, mid-day reported that Farah Khan had contributed her Kaun Banega Crorepati winnings of Rs 12.5 lakh towards the treatment of 17-month-old Ayansh Madan, who is battling spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The filmmaker is raising funds for prescription gene-replacement drug Zolgensma, which costs Rs 16 crore.

So moved was megastar-host Amitabh Bachchan by the child’s plight that he too pledged to contribute to the cause, on the reality show. With the Gurugram-based baby’s condition coming to everyone’s notice through the episode and the reportage of this paper, countless people have come forward to do their bit. Vadodara-based Ashita Jain, who is raising funds for the treatment with Dr Neelu Guglani, says that donations of Rs 1.33 crore were made in the 24 hours following the episode’s airing.

“Usually, we’d get donations of Rs 50,000 to one lakh per day. But after Farah ma’am’s appearance on the show, we received donations of Rs 1.67 crore between Friday night and Sunday afternoon. Our total collection has jumped to Rs 7.98 crore so far,” says a delighted Jain. With the collection reaching the halfway mark, she hopes they can attain their goal soon so that Madan’s treatment can begin by October.

The filmmaker is touched that people have come together for a larger cause. Khan adds, “The response after the show has been overwhelming. The mid-day story was impactful too. So many people, including Mana Shetty, have pledged their contributions. Amitji had mentioned that if one person contributes Rs 10, and at least one crore people donate, then we can raise Rs 10 crore.”

There’s buzz in the atmosphere when celebrities take to the hot seat to battle general knowledge questions in front of veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan in Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). But the pressure mounts when a life depends on the prize money. Deepika Padukone and Farah Khan, who shot for the Shaandaar Shukravaar celebrity episode on KBC 13 last week, won Rs 25 lakh.

As Padukone pledged a portion of the winning amount to her Live Love Laugh Foundation, Khan donated her half towards the treatment of 17-month-old baby Ayansh Madan, from Gurgaon. The toddler is suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) due to which his brain cannot control voluntary movements. The filmmaker has been raising funds for the prescription drug Zolgensma, which costs Rs 16 crore. “It’s a cause very close to my heart,” she says.

Moved by the child’s plight, Bachchan promised to contribute towards Madan’s treatment. “Mr Bachchan is an extremely kind-hearted and generous person. I have heard he often helps people, but [does so] without anyone knowing of it. I almost broke down [talking about] Ayansh to Mr Bachchan, who also got emotional,” says Khan, adding that she was contacted by Ashita Jain, who is raising funds for the child’s treatment along with Dr Neelu Guglani.

Zolgensma is a one-time gene replacement drug, imported from the USA that is used to treat children less than two years old with SMA. “We have raised Rs. 4.72 crore [so far], but are running short of time because the medicine [needs to be examined] before he turns two on March 18 next year. [Any later], and he will become ineligible for it,” emphasises Jain.

Amitabh Bachchan is often heard telling people on the set that if he had his way, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) would run all year long instead of its seasonal outings. Such is his love for the reality show that brought him into the living room of every Indian household, 21 years ago. On Monday, the megastar kicked off the 13th season of KBC. “Even today, he says he feels nervous as he walks to his seat. KBC is his zone; his energy levels are four-fold on the set,” begins director Arun Sheshkumar. He reveals that the veteran actor cherishes his interactions with eager contestants who come from different pockets of the country, eyeing the coveted hot seat.

Unlike the last season that was shot amid several restrictions, the latest edition has welcomed the audience back. Complete vaccination is a must for the crew as well as the audience members. The team will continue to adhere to the strictest safety norms, including maintaining social distancing and wearing masks. Sheshkumar adds, “Bachchan sir will not shake hands with the contestants; instead, he will greet them with a namaste. Some contestants, finding themselves in front of the cine idol, may want to stand close to him. I am sure nothing can stop Bachchan sir from putting his arm around their shoulder to encourage them.”

This year, the makers have done away with the Fastest Finger First, introducing the Triple Test instead where three multiple-choice general knowledge questions will be presented to the contestants. The one to answer them correctly in the shortest time will head to the hot seat. 

Over the next few weeks, Bachchan — known for his punctuality — will begin his days early, reporting to the Film City set on the dot at 7 am. The director says that watching the megastar in action every day is a treat. “Unlike a film shoot, there are no retakes here. Sometimes, when everything is working with clockwork precision, the system suddenly hangs, and Big B quips, ‘Computerji latak gaye.’ Before the camera rolls, he spends two hours learning about the contestants and their backgrounds, and going through the script. He discusses the key points that should be touched upon in every episode.”