GECs
‘KBC’ 2005 to offer Rs 20 million prize money
MUMBAI: Whether the cash registers are going to start ringing again for Star will be known in due course, but what is certain is that participants of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) 2005 can look forward to twice the winnings of the original.
Star Plus is bringing back its runaway success and Amitabh Bachchan hosted show KBC by July and this time round the stakes are going to be higher; twice as high to be precise with the prize money being jacked up to Rs 20 million
Confirming this exclusively to indiantelevision.com, Star network’s executive vice president, content and communications Deepak Sehgal says, “Pre-production work has already started. KBC 2005 will continue to be produced by Siddharth Basu’s Synergy Communications and the production house has already begun the ground work for the show; in terms of scripting, research and setting up the telephone lines which definitely takes a lot of time.”
On being queried about the time slot and launch date of the programme, Sehgal said, “Though I cannot reveal too many details of the show at this point in time; all I can say is that we have a balance of 85 episodes with Mr Bachchan. He has already given us the dates and shooting will start as per the schedule planned.”
As reported earlier, Bachchan had told Subhash K Jha, a columnist with indiantelevision.com, that KBC was being revived in July. “I kept shifting the date because of my film commitments. But now I don’t think delaying KBC makes any sense. While I still have my wits I better get down to it. So I’ll make time for KBC in July,” Bachchan told Jha.
KBC, the Indian version of the international hit show Who Wants to be a Millionaire was earlier launched on 3 July, 2000 and went off air in 2002. The show not only propelled the Star network onto the number one slot, but also redefined television viewing in the country. What will be interesting to watch is whether Star introduces some element of novelty (other than the increased prize money) to revive KBC’s popularity which was waning towards the end before being put off air.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
