Hearing a participant’s story makes me feel for them: Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan has been synonymous as the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati for years. He’s now back with the ninth season of the show, albeit after a rather long break. And he says that it feels like homecoming to him.  “It’s my pleasure to be associated with this show where I can hear and share the stories of common men and women. Watching their emotions, sharing their anxieties and their wishes being fulfilled as winner feels great,” he smiled at the launch event. 

While the superstar himself does not remember earning his first crore, he remembers the reaction of every crorepati from his show. “I don’t remember my reactions when I turned into a crorepati for the first time. However, the reactions of the participants on the show are worth a watch,” he said. “You may have noticed it in earlier episodes too. While some poured water on their heads to cool down, others turned emotional to the extent that they ran in circles on the platform!” Amitabh gets nostalgic about contestants who’ve made it big despite adversities. “Hearing their stories about their living status and other social conditions make us feel for them,” he adds. “Every participant who comes from a not-so-affluent background, when they reach a five-star hotel or board a flight for the first time gives them a sense of belonging to the outside world. Like other first times they get excited too.”

Talking about how KBC first happened in the first place, he said. “I remember, owing to certain personal reasons in 2000, when I decided to take up this show, it was amidst not a very positive response from my family members. I decided to go watch the original show abroad. Today, when people from other countries come to our sets and praise our upgraded setting, taking away a leaf from our books, it makes us all proud.”

As far as changes in the game go, he says, “Sometimes, when I repeat the questions or a few other lines, it may bore you but the matter of the fact remains that I follow the procedure. Every participant is reminded of the norms so they can participate to the best of their ability.” 

As far as his own remuneration is concerned, Big B remains tight-lipped. “Whether my remuneration graph has seen any changes, you can apply for an RTI to the Income Tax department and find it out for yourself,” he winks.