Shah Rukh on KBC?

Kanchana Suggu

Consider this.

June 2000: Star TV has an audience share of 1.2 per cent, Zee TV, 13.1 per cent and Sony TV 9.5 per cent.

Cut to September 2000: Star TV a whopping share of 40.2 per cent, Zee 5.9 per cent and Sony 7.6 per cent.

While Sony and Zee wring their hands in despair, Star is celebrating the coming true of a dream.

It took one game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati, and one charismatic host, Amitabh Bachchan, to turn Star's fortune. KBC, which started on July 3, is a runaway success. With a TRP of 17, it's got the highest ever rating for any programme on national cable television.

"Earlier, only serials like Mahabharat and Ramayan have become such a national craze," says Sameer Nair, executive vice president and head of television programming, Star TV.

Star, in the meanwhile, refuses to rest on its laurels. They plan to keep the excitement levels high by introducing celebrity KBC shows at regular intervals. The channel has managed to rope in Bollywood actors Sonali Bendre and Aamir Khan for the time being. And talks are on with superstar Shah Rukh Khan and director Karan Johar.

"These are just innovations on the show," says Nair. "Ultimately KBC is for the common man. We want as many people as possible to participate in the show."

Yet, there is a coincidence. Star TV's innovations coincide with Zee launching Sawaal Dus Crore Ka -- its answer to KBC. Though the show is rumoured to be hosted by Madhuri Dixit, Star doesn't see it as a threat. Or so they say.

"They are the ones who have to live up to the standards of KBC. An attractive host is not enough to carry the episode. The format is very critical. It's all about prime time real life drama," asserts a confident Nair.

Star, at this stage is not willing to disclose details about future innovations on the show. But he does let slip the news that host Amitabh Bachchan has extended his contract for another 130 episodes.

For now, Star can be sure its TRP ratings will soar on October 11. That, it is rumoured, is when Bachchan himself will take the hot seat in celebration of his birthday. Then, ratings are expected to go through the roof on October 19, when the show's first crorepati, Harshvardhan Nawathe, faces the Big B.

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