KBC 3 : Shah Rukh Dethrones Big B from the Hot Seat
Without a doubt it could be said that Star Plus’s “Kaun Banega Crorepati” was solely responsible for giving Amitabh Bachchan his lost fame and much needed money.
The desi-version of “Who wants to be a Millionaire” was an instant phenomenon when it started couple of years back. The once Big Man of Bollywood made his debut as a television star, a risky move but the man was left with no other better option.
“Phir lock kar diya jayee” was on everybody’s lips and as they say “The rest is history”.
After two very successful seasons of KBC, one would think that channel would never dream of replacing Big B, I mean who in their right mind would even dare to do so. But that’s what exactly Star India did and that too with a sixer.
The Big B who not only hosted Star’s flagship game- show Kaun Banega Crorepati but also spearheaded the Channel’s movement towards TRP -topping maneuvers that have stood the Channel in good stead for over five years, is no longer going to be seen in the host’s seat.Shah Rukh Khan gets onto the premium seat vacated by the Big B.
Samir Nair attributes this startling change of guard to the original host’s busy schedules. “We pursued Mr Bachchan for months. But he didn’t seem to be very enthusiastic. In the meantime we acquired KBC rights in the season-format for years whereby we had to have the show on air for 52 episodes every year, or our rights lapsed . We just had to take a call. In the light of Mr Bachchan’s response we had no choice but to think of someone else who was capable of taking on the mantle.”
Tell him it’s hard to take on the Big B’s mantle, and SRK laughs, “I think Shah Rukh will do a fantastic job. He’ll bring his own unique charm to the show. Like Mr Bachchan, Shah Rukh is smart and bright. We all remember the celebrity episode on KBC which he did. It was one of our best episodes. He brought his own encyclopedia, did his research and almost won the crore. He’ll bring a new spin to the show.”
And this is not it, the exchange of money seems to have sky-rocketed as well.
KBC 2 anchored by Amitabh Bachchan charged the sponsors over Rs 3 lakhs for a 10 second spot and around Rs 20 crores for each episode. This time with Bollywood’s hottest star Shahrukh Khan making appearance on the small screen, the stakes are going to be even higher.KBC 3 will have 104 episodes and for each episode Khan will be paid around Rs 30-50 lakh. With such high figures and even higher popularity, the sponsor and spot rates on the show are bound to inflate. Star is counting big time on SRK’s charm to woo the advertisers.
To me it looks like the King Khan has taken the phrase “Walking in someone else’s shoes” too literally. First he tries to run over Amitabh with his sad-acting skills in Farhan Akhtar’s remake “Don” and now he is out to make his point with KBC.
Whatever may be the reasons hopefully the stuttering actor won’t subject us, the television viewers with filmy antics.
Anyways, keeping this topic in mind…here is this week’s poll question.
Result :
Surprise Surprise!
Out of 145 votes, 44.1% actually think Shah Rukh Khan is a perfect replacement for Mr. Bachchan on KBC 3. Where as 37.2% want Big B back on the show.
I actually was under the impression that Big B would win this poll hands down but it seems that we have been raided by the King Khan fan club.
Well all I can say is that only time will tell the faith of KBC and its famous host.
We all have a right to express our views. In many instances; it will be against ours and in some; with us. To hear them out is 'decency' but to let them get to you is 'weakness'. 
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35 comments | Leave your comment
Dec 3rd, 2006 at 4:06 pm | #
Well KBC as a concept was good when it came. I dont think it will be that succesful now even if BIG B came to anchor it again. I dunno if you are a King Khan fan but he can never ever do it the way BIG B did. Just like he can never play an allahabadi(DON).
Dec 3rd, 2006 at 11:45 pm | #
To be honest, no matter what you may think of Shahrukh’s acting, I have to mention that he is very charasmatic. His interaction with his fans is amazing. When he talks to people on a one on one level, he’s really funny and fun to be around. It’ll show a new side to him. Amitabh Bachchan can’t relate to the common man in the way Shahrukh can. Khan can’t bring the same thing to KBC that Bachchan brought but I thing l he’ll still be good.
And for the kind of money he’s getting for being a host, hell even I would I agree to be a host.
Dec 4th, 2006 at 3:09 am | #
Completely agree with Bluemoon there about Shahrukh being charismatic and connecting with the common man. I witnessed this when I went down to see him while he was shooting for Chake De India here in Sydney just last week. He might not be drop down gorgeous and might seem like an average Joe. But, his down-to earth personality makes him that Superstar which he quite truly is!I mean when he was on the set’s of Chake De here in Australia, he was highly responsive to his fan’s and made himself so approachable. This quality of his is definitely going to make him more famous and I think he can be quite funny sometimes. So, he’ll definitely be a good change for the Show Kaun Banega crorepati.
Go SRK!
Dec 4th, 2006 at 8:07 am | #
Utsa,
But, his down-to earth personality makes him that Superstar which he quite truly is!I
U r damn funny. So King Khan is down to earth. And I thought he is arrogant and pompous and a showoff. He should thank God he has fans like you.
Bluemoon,
You said it. Its all about the money.
Dec 4th, 2006 at 8:10 am | #
Sakshi,
Another thing! Shahrukh has not dethroned Big B. He has politely refused to do KBC.
Dec 4th, 2006 at 8:14 am | #
I kind da agree with Utsa here. If you look at SRK stage shows, he goes a bit more further with audience interaction as comapred to other star-shows.
But….Big B is Big B. The comparison will surely be there and a hard one once again for SRK. The thing with Amitabh is that he is always been seen at the “unreachable” star and thats why KBC was successful because it made the unreachable…reachable.
Anyways…lets what happens but I get the feeling that the show will go on…and yes the m factor makes it even more interesting.
As for Big B declining KBC 3…well Anshul who actually knows the working of our entertainment industry.
Dec 4th, 2006 at 10:15 am | #
Oh! Well…I can actually write a thesis on the workings of Bollywood Industry.
Check this out…
Dec 4th, 2006 at 10:54 am | #
“Oh! Well…I can actually write a thesis on the workings of Bollywood Industry.”
^^^^^^^
Go for it. It would make for an interesting read, especially since you seem to have a lot of insider knowledge.
And just wondering here…do you think there is truth to the whole Bachchan - Khan rivalry?
Dec 4th, 2006 at 11:07 am | #
Well.How do you manage to get this much news frm this industry?
Dec 4th, 2006 at 11:20 am | #
I would so love to do it….if only someone would pay me for it. At the end of the day - apna peet bhi toh palna hai.
Shyam - Contacts…baby contacts and I have plenty.
Dec 4th, 2006 at 3:21 pm | #
Dhat tere ki! So maybe King Khan got back at Big B and Jr AB for “Where’s the party tonight?”
Dec 4th, 2006 at 3:27 pm | #
But I guess I shall go by what NON sources have to say!
Dec 5th, 2006 at 2:13 am | #
Anshul: You may think I am funny and that Shahrukh is arrogant and whatever else- that’s your perception and you’re entitled to your opinion. At least, I am not obsessed with Amitabh Bachchan and the rest of his family like the entire coutry is, who are soon going to start worshipping him(or already do?!).
Anyway, going back to what I said before..having a new face to the kaun Banega Show will be good and since the Show must go on!It’ll be a good change to have a new Host.
Cheerio
Dec 5th, 2006 at 6:28 am | #
Utsa Dearest,
I do think you are funny and a tad touchy too. I have many issues with Mr Bachchan and no he is not my hero. A dancer at Mulayam Singh’s son’s wedding can never be my hero.
I guess we were talking about personalities and hosts. I hope you do know that KBC 2 was not that much a success. The greatness of Big B is his humility as well as his “ACTING” something which Shahrukh does not possess. I can imagine KBC 3 with Shahrukh
“Agar aap is agle sawaal ka jawaab sahi denge to app jetenge Rs 50,000 or agar aap meri tareef bhi karenge to main aapki shaadi main 40% discount main naachunnga!” LOL
Take it easy!
Dec 5th, 2006 at 6:51 am | #
Anshul: Thank you for your long reply above. I didn’t say that Amitabh is your ‘hero’ and well even if he is/was I’ve got nothing to do with it. No, I’ve not seen a single episode of Kaun Banega ever so, maybe I do not have a complete idea of how it were in the past. I merely said that it’d be good to have somebody else presenting the show in place of Mr. Bachchan. Obviously, something about my comment has made you reply to my previous post(s) and if what you said here- “Agar aap is agle sawaal ka jawaab sahi denge to app jetenge Rs 50,000 or agar aap meri tareef bhi karenge to main aapki shaadi main 40% discount main naachunnga!†LOL - supposed to be funny then ..u’re the only one laughing.
Good day!
Dec 5th, 2006 at 7:44 am | #
LOL again. You are a pakka Khan fan. Peace!
Dec 5th, 2006 at 3:48 pm | #
Anshul: I agree with you 100% that Shahrukh Khan cannot even come remotely close to Amitabh in any department of acting/performance…..may it be height, personality, looks, voice, refinement, the way he conducts himself or even pure acting etc etc etc……
Dec 5th, 2006 at 3:48 pm | #
KBC resurrected Amitabh.
Why does Shahrukh need resurrection?
Dec 6th, 2006 at 12:15 am | #
I think in this case KBC is the one that needs the resurrection. Don became a hit, to my surprise. I really thought it was going to fail so I guess Shahrukh has not been pushed over as of yet.
Wha..? Amitabh danced at Mulayam Singh’s son’s wedding? Really? I have my own opinons about the whole Bachchan family, non of them are great accept when it comes to their acting skills, but it’s not because I’m a fan of Shahrukh (the person not the actor).
That the Bachchan family continues to have ties with Amar Singh, are worshipped like Demi-gods, the whole affiliation with the Samjawadi party, the image of the “perfect family” makes me a question the sugar coated “truth” about the clan.
They are all great actors..but human beings..I’m not sure about that part. Especially when you campaign for a party that is of no good for India as a whole.
Ok rant over.
Dec 6th, 2006 at 5:52 am | #
Shivam : So for you I shall flip open my thesis book again. The thing is Shahrukh Khan ain’t that saleble property anymore, afterall he is getting old. Plus the recent fall out with the Chopras ain’t helping him either. If you look at his up-coming projects he hardly has any…besides the Johar and Farah Khan and a couple here and there.
Also this is the best way to get back at the Bachchans….
All in all…he needs KBC because he is too addicted to the No. 1 position and he is banking that the show will get him there once again.
Dec 6th, 2006 at 6:58 am | #
Sunny…thanks for agreeing with me. Koi to hai!
Sakshi….Fallout with the chopras? When?
Dec 6th, 2006 at 5:07 pm | #
Anshul: You are most welcome. I usually judge actors as actors. I don’t care what they are doing in their personal lives. Amitabh is one of the greatest actors the subcontinent has ever produced. As a person, well as I don’t know him I can’t judge and frankly don’t care. After all, he is not my relative.
Dec 8th, 2006 at 1:28 pm | #
Sakshi,
It seems that Sharukh is also in dire need of fame and money
I am trying to imagine what would constantly vibrating nutcase would look like on the show..
hehehehe.. kkkkirrran.. lock kkkar doon kkkya..
hehe.. senoooooreeeeta.. dekho.. bade bade shows mein aisee chhoti chhoti baatein hoti rehti hai.
Dec 8th, 2006 at 3:25 pm | #
That was a good one Shadows
Dec 11th, 2006 at 1:48 pm | #
I THINK BIG B HOSTED KBC QUITE WELL BUT I KNOW THAT SRK WILL ALSO HOST IT NICELY .
Dec 12th, 2006 at 2:57 am | #
Finally!Somebody who see’s it my way. Agree with Jasmine completely.
Dec 12th, 2006 at 6:18 am | #
Utsa : You make me smile.
But if I have to pick, I would say let go off Amitabh and Shah Rukh and get in Salman. Just imagine, the TRPs would surely sky-rocket when he removes his t-shirt.
Dec 23rd, 2006 at 2:55 pm | #
i hope that king khan will do the very best for kbc but not than
Amitabh.
by the way-best of luck to my love
sharukh khan
Dec 27th, 2006 at 7:43 pm | #
firstly, i do not know what “great” acting there is about bachan…srk rulez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! he is moreinteractive with his fans and a mucho betetr actor than bachan…and the proof of that is that look at the kinds of roles bachan did and srk did…srk has tried different things many more times and even tho some werent sucesses, he was damn good at it its just that the audience wants to c the same dimple srk..in usa don was a superhit while in india it was an average film but srk is a million times better than bachan at anything including KBC
Jan 1st, 2007 at 6:25 am | #
i like, like these game.
Jan 1st, 2007 at 6:29 am | #
King khan is great He will do it.
Jan 24th, 2007 at 2:34 am | #
king khan you are good in kbc .i like you—————
Apr 18th, 2007 at 9:06 pm | #
shahrukh is the best ,im from Pakistan (lahore),im a bigggggggggggg fan of urs,ur doing excellent with kbc,everyone loves u here in Pakistan,love u and thumbs up 2 u!best of luck.
saira
Apr 18th, 2007 at 9:11 pm | #
ur the king as always keep it up!im from Pakistan ,FAN IS A SMALL WORD 2 SAY:)KEEP IT UP,love u a lot may ALLAH BLESS U A LOT AND UR FAMILY:),FAN OF URZ SINCE CHILDHOOD,DO REPLY ,IF U CAN,
LOVE U,
ZAINAB
Jun 2nd, 2007 at 8:27 am | #
srk dethroned bachan
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