News Broadcasting
‘KBC’ signs off in style… with Star promising to bring it back
After over 300 episodes on air, nearly 3000 contestants, over 500 people on the hotseat, a more than 60,000 studio audience, over 90 million phone calls, and more than Rs 260 million given away as prize money, Kaun Banega Crorepati, the show that resurrected a channel and a fading Bollywood superstar, signed off today. With a promise that it would be back.
KBC, the show that Star licenced from Celador’s Who wants To be a Millionaire and launched in June 2000, not only raised Star to the No. 1 position but also gave actor Amitabh Bachchan a fresh lease on superstardom.
Said Sameer Nair, executive V-P, content & communication, Star Network: “We’ve enjoyed every moment of the show, shooting with Amitabh Bachchan, guests stars, interacting with audiences, and basking in the unprecedented success of the show. Every, such show needs a small break and now it’s time for Kaun Banega Crorepati too. Come, July-August, and watch out we’ll be back with Amitabh Bachchan and a big, brighter and bigger show.”
Whether Bachchan will be back in the hot seat if and when the show returns only time will tell; but the Big B did, during the course of the show, leave that particular issue open ended.
And as the guest on the grand finale show, Star Plus brought back Harshvardhan Nawathe, KBC’s first ‘crorepati’ (10 millionaire?).
From next week (16 January), Cinevista’s Sanjivani, a hospital drama with actor Mohnish Behl in the lead, goes on air. And Star’s rivals can get set for a channel stakes battle with a far more level playing field – without the Big B’s shadow hanging over the proceedings.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
