Samir Nair, COO, Star TV, has announced that Shahrukh Khan will replace Big B in the TV show that spearheaded the concept of reality TV shows.
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.”
Shah Rukh is apparently very kicked by the game show. Says Samir, “We were in talks from early November. In 2003 when KBC broke and there was talk that Mr Bachchan might not do it, we had approached Shah Rukh. But nothing came of it. This time when we spoke to him in October he gave us dates immediately in January. It was our good fortune, good planning. We start telecast in mid-Jan, four times a week.”
Will this work!!?? I would say NO. SRK has his own charm but he is very very different from Big B in every sense… I, for one, am not ok with seeing SRK instead of Big B.
Are you???
good one lady….
By: manik1383 on December 30, 2006
at 11:28 am
I think it will not work out… but the choice of having Shahrukh was a very good idea…
By: Gaurav on December 30, 2006
at 4:03 pm
congratulations lady for touching the 7000 marks…
By: Gaurav on December 31, 2006
at 6:18 am
although I am very very apprehensive about this one, I would surely give SRK a chance
By: Nishit on December 31, 2006
at 12:22 pm
Dear Nehar
once more, your posts startle me all over – I had no idea that Amitabh Bachchan is hosting “Who wants to be a millionaire” – The show is a format that is broadcast in probably every country with a television market of its own, and always adapted to meet the needs of the audience. So looking at the picture of Big B, I see him in the familiar set in which Günther Jauch (in Germany) or Armin Assinger (in Austria) normally resides – only that these two do not have his good looks or status:-)
By: anaj on December 31, 2006
at 1:53 pm
From my knowledge, in the past whenever hosts/lead actors/actresses have been changed in a hugely successful game show or series, it had been extremely challenging for the new guys to live up to previous person’s persona. One major reason for that is perhaps the emotional attachment of the audience with the original host. And when that host is non other than AB, the new host needs something super special to not to bite the dust.
I personally think SRK has it in him to do this almost impossible task of stepping in AB’s shoes successfully. I have very strong reasons for that. I used to watch KBC quite often in India ( I guess it started somewhere around 2000 and was there when I left India in early 2003). One single factor which was instrumental in people connecting with the show was the humane persona of AB which used to come out so beautifully during his interactions with the participants. The way he used to make people comfortable, the way he talked about mundane things and the way his terrific sense of humor amused people, all these things made people connect with the show at all levels. People saw the real AB and felt him. It was almost spiritual.
Although many people may disagree, the way I see ,SRK is very AB like in many ways. On a more baser or apparent level, both are superstars in their own respect. Both seem well read and very intelligent people.
On a more emotional level too, both, more than others, have the ability to connect and touch people with their personas. That’s something which made SRK , for sure, what he is. There is this extreme honesty and certain ordinariness in him which makes him so extraordinary. I have no doubt in my mind that it’s his honesty and convictions about things which have taken him this far..nothing else. Finally, his sense of humor is amazing.. He can be so funny and humorous without getting vulgar or offending.
Iam sure that if he stays what he is and doesnt get burdened with expectations or comparisons, he will come out as a winner.
I might prove wrong in the end, but for now, let’s be fair with him and give him an equal chance. Let’s see his performance in KBC independently without comparing it with AB. Let’s see if he connects or not.
By: lallopallo on January 1, 2007
at 12:38 pm
Hey! Have a look at this trailer (copy and paste if the link doesn’t work)
By: anaj on January 1, 2007
at 2:27 pm
Hi Jana,
Welcome back
By: worldthrumyeyes on January 1, 2007
at 4:44 pm
hey i feel.shahrukh will connect best with audience….n all age group…though amitab has his place but srk has his never dying charm tat’s growing with age…
By: himani on January 8, 2007
at 5:55 pm
shahrukh is the most COOL guy in bollywood. I think he will do well in kbc 3.I am waiting to see his first episode of kbc 3. I Know he is going to be rock solid iam am now trying to make fan trailer of kbc 3 . yo’ll be seeing it soon on YOU TUBE.
By: mahesh h wadhwa on January 12, 2007
at 4:33 pm
he will not do goodin kbc 3
By: KOMAL on January 12, 2007
at 4:36 pm
he will not do goodin kbc 3 he looks like kadar khan,johnny leverand all the funny comedians. he is verrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyy scary
By: kunal on January 12, 2007
at 4:42 pm
he is a cooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool ! comedian ghost
By: kunal on January 12, 2007
at 4:44 pm