The Dawn of a New Era: StarPlus’s Uphill Battle
Twenty-five years ago, a television show premiered that would irrevocably alter the landscape of Indian entertainment and redefine the career trajectory of its iconic host. As Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) celebrates its silver jubilee, the journey of this cultural phenomenon reveals a compelling tale of strategic gambles, unwavering loyalty, and a dramatic television comeback.
At the turn of the millennium, StarPlus faced an existential crisis. Having operated for eight years primarily as a broadcaster of international content since India’s liberalization in 1992, the network was determined to reinvent itself. The mandate was clear: transform into a formidable Hindi General Entertainment Channel (GEC) and directly challenge the established titans, Zee TV and Sony.
Sameer Nair, then the newly appointed head of programming at StarPlus, recalls the formidable challenge. “We were partners with Zee before, then we’d gone independent so the mandate was: Fight back!” he shared in an exclusive interview. The competitive landscape was stark, with Zee TV dominating the Television Rating Points (TRPs), closely followed by Sony. StarPlus languished at a distant third, grappling with significantly lower viewership numbers.
The Audacious Bet: Bringing Amitabh Bachchan to the Small Screen
It was against this backdrop that Nair and his team made a monumental decision: securing the adaptation rights for the massively popular British quiz show, “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”. The next, even more audacious, step was to find a host capable of anchoring such a high-stakes program and capturing the nation’s imagination.
Their gaze fell upon Amitabh Bachchan. At 58, the former “Angry Young Man” of Hindi cinema was experiencing a pronounced lull in his illustrious film career. The late 1990s had seen a string of underwhelming box office performances, with films like “Lal Baadshah,” “Sooryavansham,” “Hindustan Ki Kasam,” and “Kohram” failing to ignite the screens. Bachchan, once an unparalleled force, was perceived by many as a fading star.
A Family’s Hesitation: Jaya Bachchan’s Concerns
The idea of a celebrated film star transitioning to the then-nascent world of television was met with considerable skepticism. “When we first went to him, it was complicated because it was TV and he was a film star,” Nair elaborated. Even within his inner circle, resistance was palpable. His wife, veteran actor Jaya Bachchan, reportedly harbored strong reservations, feeling that such a move would “shrink him to the small screen,” diminishing his cinematic stature.
To alleviate his own doubts and gain a firsthand understanding, Amitabh Bachchan took the unprecedented step of visiting the sets of the original “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” in London. Only after this personal immersion did he finally give his nod, paving the way for “Kaun Banega Crorepati” to become a reality.
KBC’s Unprecedented Impact: A Resurgence for Both Channel and Star
What followed was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon. The inaugural season of KBC not only sent StarPlus’s TRPs soaring, pulling the channel from the brink of obscurity to the top of the charts, but it also engineered a spectacular renaissance for Amitabh Bachchan’s career. The quiz show propelled him into the living rooms of millions, rebranding his public image from a struggling movie star to a dignified, approachable, and endearing host.
“Once he took to the show, he stayed loyal to it. Mr. Bachchan is the only one who’s been doing it since then, till now,” Sameer Nair emphasized, underscoring the enduring connection between the host and his audience. This unique bond transcended the technological advancements of the new millennium. Even in an age dominated by Google, where answers are instantly accessible, viewers remain captivated by the “drama, and the playout the way it’s intended,” choosing to experience the journey with Bachchan rather than simply seeking the solution.
The show’s success translated directly into a remarkable second innings for Amitabh Bachchan in Bollywood. KBC’s unprecedented reach and renewed public affection made him a hot commodity once again. He went on to deliver a string of critical and commercial successes, including Aditya Chopra’s “Mohabbatein” (2000), Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…” (2001), Vipul Shah’s “Aankhen” (2002), BR Chopra’s “Baghban” (2003), Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara” (2004), Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Black” (2005), Shaad Ali’s “Bunty Aur Babli” (2005), and Ram Gopal Varma’s “Sarkar” (2005).
Despite this extraordinary resurgence in films, Bachchan’s gratitude and loyalty to KBC remained unwavering. He returned to host the second season in 2005, a testament to his commitment to the show that had reshaped his destiny. However, a sudden, prolonged illness in 2006 forced a halt in production, leaving 24 episodes unshot and the season’s top prize unclaimed.
A Shifting Throne: Shah Rukh Khan’s Stint and KBC’s Brief Hiatus
When Amitabh Bachchan reportedly declined the third season in 2007, StarPlus sought a worthy successor. Their choice fell upon Shah Rukh Khan, another Bollywood megastar who had shared screen space with Bachchan in “Mohabbatein,” “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…,” and Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” (2006). Khan had also famously stepped into Bachchan’s iconic shoes, reprising his role in Farhan Akhtar’s 2006 remake of Chandra Barot’s 1978 hit, “Don.”
However, even the charisma of Shah Rukh Khan couldn’t replicate the unique chemistry and audience connection that Amitabh Bachchan commanded. The show’s ratings experienced a significant decline, a stark indicator of Bachchan’s irreplaceable presence. This dip in viewership ultimately led StarPlus to make a difficult decision: KBC was pulled off the air after its third season.
The Phoenix Rises: Sony’s Vision and KBC’s Enduring Reign
The hiatus was short-lived, but the show’s original home had given up. Three years later, in a crucial move that would redefine KBC’s legacy, Sony Entertainment Television stepped in. Recognizing the quiz show’s inherent appeal and, more importantly, the indelible bond between Amitabh Bachchan and the Indian audience, Sony revived KBC for its fourth season, with Bachchan returning as the host.
This strategic revival proved to be a resounding success. KBC has continued its triumphant run, successfully completing its 16th season last year and securing a renewal for its 17th season this year. Amitabh Bachchan has masterfully maintained his stronghold across both film and television, seamlessly balancing a prolific cinematic career with his recurring role as the beloved KBC host.
Sameer Nair, whose tenure at StarPlus concluded with KBC’s initial discontinuation in 2007, now serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Applause Entertainment. He commends Sony for its foresight and dedication. “The credit also goes to Sony for reviving it,” he acknowledged. “We did two seasons with Mr. Bachchan and one with Shah Rukh, and then we let go. They took it forward and really built it in the last 10 years so that we could get to the 25th anniversary.” KBC’s journey stands as a testament to the power of a singular personality, a compelling format, and the unwavering loyalty of a nation.
