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Kaun Banega Crorepati

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Parent: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (American game show) Hop 4
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Kaun Banega Crorepati
Kaun Banega Crorepati
source
Native nameकौन बनेगा करोड़पति
GenreGame show
CreatorMona Singh Production
Based onWho Wants to Be a Millionaire?
PresenterAmitabh Bachchan
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Num seasons15
Num episodes1,500+ (as of 2023)
ProducerSiddhartha Basu
LocationFilm City, Mumbai
Runtime60 minutes
CompanyBig Synergy
NetworkSony Entertainment Television (2000–2011, 2021–present), StarPlus (2010–2014), Colors TV (2017–2018)
First aired03 July 2000
Last airedPresent

Kaun Banega Crorepati is a highly popular Indian Hindi-language television game show, based on the British format Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Premiering on 3 July 2000 on Sony Entertainment Television, it is produced by Siddhartha Basu's Big Synergy and has become a cultural phenomenon. The show is renowned for its iconic host, Amitabh Bachchan, whose authoritative yet empathetic presence has been central to its enduring success. It offers contestants the chance to win up to ₹7 crore by correctly answering a series of multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty.

Overview

The core premise involves a single contestant answering fifteen questions to win the top prize, with a lifeline system to assist them. The format was licensed from Celador, the original creator of the British version, and adapted for the Indian audience. The show's production is headquartered at Film City, Mumbai, and it has aired on several major networks including Sony Entertainment Television, StarPlus, and Colors TV. Its success spawned numerous international adaptations and regional versions within India, such as Kannada's Kannadada Kotyadhipati hosted by Puneeth Rajkumar.

Format

Contestants begin by answering a fastest-finger-first question to secure the hot seat. The question ladder progresses from ₹1,000 to ₹7 crore, with three safe havens at ₹10,000, ₹3,20,000, and ₹75,00,000. Four lifelines are offered: "Fifty-Fifty", "Phone a Friend", "Ask the Audience", and "Flip the Question". The questions span a vast array of topics, from Indian history and Bollywood to world geography and science. The dramatic music, designed by composers like Louis Banks, and the distinctive set design heighten the tension. Special episodes, such as those for celebrities like Akshay Kumar or Shah Rukh Khan, often support charitable causes.

History

The show first aired in 2000 and became an instant national sensation, revolutionizing Indian television. After its initial run, it moved to StarPlus in 2010 for its fourth season. A notable hosting change occurred in 2007 for the third season, when Shah Rukh Khan took over, but Amitabh Bachchan returned thereafter. The show shifted to Colors TV for its tenth and eleventh seasons starting in 2017. It returned to its original home, Sony Entertainment Television, for its thirteenth season in 2021. Landmark winners include Harshvardhan Nawathe, the first crorepati, and Sushil Kumar, who won ₹5 crore in 2011.

Hosts

Amitabh Bachchan is the definitive and most celebrated host, having presided over the majority of seasons since the show's inception. His deep baritone voice, catchphrases like "Lock kiya jaye?", and dignified interaction with contestants from all walks of Indian society are iconic. Shah Rukh Khan hosted the third season in 2007, bringing his own charismatic style to the hot seat. Renowned filmmaker Rohit Shetty hosted a special Celebrity edition. The hosting consistency of Amitabh Bachchan is widely considered a major pillar of the show's longevity and credibility.

Impact and Cultural Significance

The program had a profound impact on Indian pop culture, popularizing the phrase "Kaun Banega Crorepati" as a synonym for sudden wealth. It inspired the Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, based on the novel Q & A by Vikas Swarup. The show democratized knowledge and aspiration, drawing participants from remote villages and major cities alike. It significantly boosted the profiles of its networks, especially Sony Entertainment Television in its early years, and set new benchmarks for production values and prize money on Indian television.

Awards and Recognition

The show has received numerous accolades, including multiple Indian Television Academy Awards for Best Game Show and Best Anchor. Amitabh Bachchan has consistently won awards for his hosting, such as the Indian Telly Award for Best Anchor. The program itself has been honored at events like the Boroplus Gold Awards and the Asian Television Awards. Its cultural importance was further cemented when the Government of India featured Amitabh Bachchan in promotional campaigns, leveraging the show's immense trust and reach among the public.

Category:Indian game shows Category:Hindi-language television shows Category:Television series by Sony Pictures Networks India Category:2000 Indian television series debuts