The yr was 2000, and July 3 was proven within the calendar. As the clock struck 9 pm, historical past was made with the launch of Kaun Banega Crorepati on Star Plus. Indian adaptation of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Created a storm with contestants tackling the inquiries to win the massive prize cash of Rs 1 crore. Hosted by Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, it additionally began the pattern of movie stars internet hosting recreation reveals on the small display.
Over the years, KBC, as it’s fondly referred to as by the viewers, has seen many desires come true, with contestants taking residence prize cash in crores. The reputation of the present is unmatched, and it nonetheless resonates with audiences of all age teams.
As the present turns 21 at this time, producer Siddharth Basu talks about making the present, bringing Amitabh Bachchan on board and the criticisms.
Conversation excerpts:
How did the concept of ​​Who Wants to Be a Millionaire come about in India?
Star Plus was turning into a Hindi channel since third July 2000, they usually wanted an even bigger present to extend the viewers day-to-day. At that point, he was ranked third in scores after Zee and Sony. WWTBAM was making waves internationally, and they also selected it.
How did you all see Amitabh Bachchan because the host? What was his first response to the supply?
The suggestion was from Sameer Nair, VP of Star Plus programming at the moment. No megastar had hosted a TV present in India or anyplace else on this case. The intention was to make the largest bang attainable. Amitabh Bachchan took a while to make up his thoughts to do TV and was typically suggested not to take action. However, he determined to look at a recording of the unique present in London earlier than making up his thoughts. Once he noticed it, he determined to do KBC with a rider that we repeat the circumstances and self-discipline of that present. There was no trying again, and the dimensions and scope of reveals on Indian TV expanded quickly.
What are the issues that Big B stated no to KBC?
nothing actually. Initially, she had objections about speaking about herself and getting private with the contestants. He slowly opened up and now loves interacting with individuals from all walks of life.
While now individuals pray for an opportunity to seem in KBC, how troublesome was it to discover a contestant for the primary season?
It wasn’t an issue in any respect. There weren’t many mobiles round on the time, and the gateway was a landline, which stored threatening to crash as there was a rush to attend the present. AB and the prize cash created a frenzy from the time the present was introduced.
I learn that the prize cash was initially Rs 1 lakh. How did it go from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore? And did you are feeling any strain from betting this enormous quantity?
The Rs 1 crore worth as the highest prize was set by Rupert Murdoch himself because it was unprecedented on Indian TV then and a game-changer, which he stated was out of attain of the contestants. KBC continues to be the richest present ever in India with unmatched payouts. The prize cash was part of such a giant present – open public participation, know-how, finances, expectation – all larger than any effort made as much as that time. So sure, you guess it was overly aggravating, however then the problem was much more thrilling.
Over the years, KBC has been criticized for promoting sobbing tales. What is your opinion on the identical?
KBC has by no means been simply one other quiz present. Human storytelling has at all times mattered, and it created a sensation in India for the primary season, on the premise of which Vikas wrote his guide Q&A. However, it has by no means been simply sobbing tales on KBC. If individuals get emotional, it is not an engineer. It is pure to have a life-changing present in entrance of a bigger viewers and larger-than-life host. KBC has an unlimited array of individuals telling fascinating and relatable tales about odd Indians. It is a present that touches the guts in addition to life.
Shah Rukh Khan stepped in because the host of season 3 of Kaun Banega Crorepati. (Photo: Express Archive)
While the present has had profitable seasons with varied hosts in different languages, what do you assume did not work out for KBC Season 3 with Shah Rukh Khan because the host?
What did not work with Shah Rukh was the comparability with AB. I believe Shah Rukh did KBC in his personal approach with appeal and wit, and so far as I do know, it garnered good scores. We have finished three reveals with Shah Rukh, and I imagine he is among the most pure TV hosts one can consider on his toes. But let’s face it, Abby will at all times be the ABC of KBC, and on this present, they’ve enormous footwear to fill.
When you look again, what has been the largest problem and achievement of working KBC?
Keeping each episode related, recent and interesting on the extent and scale {that a} present of this dimension calls for.
If you can return in time, would you alter something about KBC?
Retrospective, no. But striving to study, enhance and make an influence is an ongoing course of.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
