28 August,2026 01:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Amitabh Bachchan (Picture via X)
When Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) was being planned in India, the Amitabh Bachchan-hosted quiz show was far from being considered a safe bet. In fact, the idea was reportedly viewed by many as one of the biggest gambles in Indian television. Sameer Nair, who was heading programming at Star Plus when the show was being developed, has now recalled the scepticism surrounding its launch.
Speaking about the making of KBC to The Hollywood Reporter, Nair revealed that the show was "ten times more expensive" than other television programmes of that era. The decision to bring a major Bollywood star on board for a quiz show was particularly questioned, since the original British format, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, did not feature a film celebrity as its host.
Nair explained that Amitabh Bachchan was chosen because he was uniquely suited to the format. "Bachchan was the only actor with that kind of proficiency in both Hindi and English. But more importantly, this was going to homes, where the remote is controlled by the mother. For that mother, it was Bachchan who was the beloved hero, not Shah Rukh Khan - who was catering to a younger generation," he said. More importantly, the makers believed his immense popularity would appeal to family audiences, particularly mothers who often controlled what was watched on television at home.
According to Nair, Bachchan represented an older generation of beloved Hindi-film stars, while Shah Rukh Khan was more closely associated with younger viewers at the time. After watching a live taping of the British version, Bachchan agreed to host the Indian adaptation.
The scale of the production was another reason the show attracted attention. Nair recalled that KBC was "at least ten times more expensive than any show on Indian television". The makers nevertheless remained committed to recreating the original format, including its production design and layout, while adapting the show for Indian viewers.
Several elements were also localised. Bachchan seamlessly moved between Hindi and English, while his now-iconic address to the computer as "computer-ji" became part of the show's identity. The questions were similarly tailored to Indian audiences, with subjects including mythology and history.
Despite these efforts, Nair recalled that the concept was initially dismissed by some as the "worst" idea in television history. He remembered people asking, "Who puts a quiz show on prime time?" and questioning the decision to bring Bachchan into the format.
However, KBC quickly proved its critics wrong after premiering in July 2000. The show's enormous success also coincided with a significant turnaround in Bachchan's career. At the time, the actor had been facing professional and financial difficulties. His appearance in Mohabbatein months later further strengthened his comeback.
More than two decades later, KBC remains one of Indian television's most recognisable shows, with Bachchan continuing as its host.
