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Mumbai: It’s a tried and tested formula and Sony Entertainment Television is hoping that it will work magic for the channel, as it has in the past for its competitor, Star Plus. The Hindi general entertainment channel from Multi Screen Media Ltd (MSML) announced the launch of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), at a press conference on Wednesday in Mumbai. This is the fourth season of the show on Indian television and will be hosted by actor Amitabh Bachchan.
Though there was speculation early this year that actor Aamir Khan been approached to host the fourth season of the popular game show, the channel heads maintained that they had always been in talks with Bachchan. The show, which is expected to take off sometime later this year, is based on the international game show format, “Who wants to be a millionaire?" Produced by Big Synergy, the Siddharth Basu led production house, the show was hosted in India by Bachchan in 2000. This is the third season of KBC that Bachchan will host. He played host for KBC 1 and 2 on Star Plus which gained a lot of popularity at the time and catapulted the channel to it’s number one position. Season 3 of KBC, also on Star Plus was hosted by actor Shahrukh Khan and was tweaked to suit his style, which was more informal. However, KBC 3 failed to make a cut with audiences and delivered poor television ratings.
Channel officials remained tight-lipped about any changes in the prize money or show format. But maintained that the prize money would definitely be “more than a crore, considering the show was called Kaun Banega Crorepati," said NP Singh, chief operating officer, SET. KBC 3 which was hosted by Shahrukh Khan had a prize of ₹ 2 crore.
The production house, Big Synergy is currently assessing all the changes and innovations in the format globally and is likely to put together a fresher, reworked format to appeal to audiences and overcome any viewer fatigue for the show. “The show perfectly fits with our vision of driving the power of entertainment as a force of good in the society. Kaun Banega Crorepati gives equal opportunities to all – irrespective of all their social and economic standing – to use their knowledge to change their lives forever,"said Ajit Thakur, executive vice president and business head, SET.
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