Amitabh's KBC saga

Amitabh Bachchan, who returns as the host of the fourth season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), says his debut on small screen a decade ago was against the advice of family, friends and well-wishers.

"In the year 2000, I was not doing well personally.There was no money and I had no films to work and an offer for television changed all when I decided to anchor 'Kaun Banega Crorepati'," Bachchan recalled.

Talking to reporters here last night, the Bollywood legend said even though he had liked the concept, initially he was apprehensive and hence he was taken to Britain at a studio where the original show 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' was being recorded.

"I liked the concept and the show and told the KBC producers that if they gave me similar format in India, I would readily do it," he said.

When asked what was the new addition to the show from his side from the time he first hosted the show, Big B said the only addition was his spectacles.

Bachchan pointed out that in real life, he would never get a chance to ask questions to the people whereas on the show, he could do it.

To a question if he would ever consider occupying the hotseat, Bachchan said it was for the producers to take a call on the issue, but he would prefer quitting the show as his "general knowledge" was not good.

"Occupying the hotseat is very difficult," he added.

Bachchan said that he felt "honoured" that the Sony Television officials had decided to start the broadcast on KBC-4 from his birthday on October 11.

"Birthdays come and go, but starting the telecast of the show on that day is a rare occasion," he said.

To a query, if KBC season three host Shah Rukh Khan will be the first celebrity guest on the hotseat, Bachchan said, "I have also read about it in the press."

When asked if his family members would participate in the new variant of the show 'Hotseat version' where celebrity guests will play as a team for charity, Bachchan said if the channel invites them, the invitation would be considered.

The prize money of the show has also been increased to Rs 5 crore. "Even though the basic format remain unchanged, the show will be faster and crispier this time. There will be 12 questions for Rs one crore and the last one would be the jackpot of Rs 5 crore," Bachchan said.

A new life line 'ask an expert' would be introduced this time besides the earlier ones -- audience poll and phone a friend, Bachchan said. The '50:50' helpline has been dropped. Instead, after the seventh question there will be 'double dip' in which the contestant can give two tries for the answer, the actor said.

The ten contestants participating in fastest finger first would get chance for four days to try their luck this time, Basu said. Several celebrities would appear on the show. Instead of a single participant, a team would play this time around, Basu said, adding the prize money would go to charity.

Also, under a new concept of 'Ghadiyal babu', the participants would have to answer the first two questions in 30 seconds and the next five in 45 seconds. After the seventh question, there will be no time limit, he said.