At the turn of the millennium, back in 2000, a suave, baritone-voiced Amitabh Bachchan walked onto Star Plus to host ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’. Dressed in sharp, tailored suits, he treated everyday contestants like royalty and brought an elite gravitas along with nail-biting, cinematic tension to our living rooms. With a heartbeat-skipping score and iconic phrases like “Lock Kiya Jaye” and “Computer Ji”, ‘KBC’ wasn’t just a quiz; it was an emotional journey of the common man.
Rival channels panicked. Zee TV swung for the fences with ‘Sawaal Dus Crore Ka’, hosted by Anupam Kher and Manisha Koirala. The logic? If ‘KBC’ offered one crore, they would offer ten! But money can’t buy chemistry. The co-hosts lacked rapport, and the show’s rigid, clinical vibe felt like a high-pressure school exam and less like a game. Audiences rejected the blatant appeal to greed, preferring ‘KBC’s’ genuine warmth.
Then came Sony TV with Govinda’s ‘Jeeto Chappar Phaad Ke’. This was the absolute antithesis of ‘KBC’. If Mr. Bachchan was quiet dignity, Govinda was a loud, joyful carnival. Wearing suits brighter than the sun, Govinda opened the show dancing and cracking jokes. It was spectacularly energetic, but the non-stop exuberance eventually caused audience fatigue. You can watch a carnival for an hour, but you can’t live there every evening.
Ultimately, ‘KBC’ succeeded because it had soul. While Govinda was too loud and Anupam was too stiff, Mr. Bachchan was just right. He proved that simplicity, respect, and a little bit of baritone magic always win. That magic hasn’t faded one bit. Shooting for ‘KBC Season 18’ officially begins today, with the show set to hit Sony Entertainment Television on August 10. Approaching his 84th birthday this October, Mr. Bachchan’s indefatigable spirit continues to defy age. He still powers through grueling 12-to-15-hour daily shifts, filming an astonishing three episodes back-to-back.
While his relentless energy remains a constant, his style continues to evolve. This season, his eclectic wardrobe seamlessly bridges classic authority with modern trends — mixing his signature majestic three-piece suits and royal Bandhgalas with fresh, playful details like trendy sneakers and custom accessories. Twenty-six years after winning the original television wars, the undisputed King of the Hot Seat is still enthusiastically bounding onto the stage, proving that true legends never go out of style.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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