Shah Rukh to replace Big B as host of ‘KBC’

Bollywood’s King Khan – Shah Rukh, has been confirmed as the new host to replace Amitabh Bachchan on STAR Plus’ mega gameshow ��Kaun Banega Crorepati�۪ (KBC).

Shah Rukh said that he was “pleasantly surprised” when the STAR TV Network offered him the show but admitted it would be “a huge act to follow” in the footsteps of Amitabh, who made ��KBC�۪ one of the country’s most watched TV programmes.

Samir Nair, CEO of STAR Entertainment India that airs the show said, “Mr Bachchan expressed his disinclination to do the show and we respect his decision. We are indebted to him for what he brought to the show but now it is time to move on and who better to hand over the baton to than Shah Rukh Khan.”

“We have been in talks with Shah Rukh Khan for over a month now and he expressed his willingness to do the show. Shooting will begin by December-end and we expect this season to be on air by January-end,” Nair said.

Nair said the contract with Shah Rukh would be for two seasons with an option to extend it further if required. He declined to comment on the remuneration for Shah Rukh, saying, “it is adequate.”

Shah Rukh Khan was quoted in a STAR India release as saying, “I was pleasantly surprised when STAR offered me the show. I was a participant in season one of ��KBC�۪ and little did I know one day I would be hosting it.”

“It is a huge act to follow, that of Mr Bachchan but it also excites me that I am getting an opportunity to reach out talk and interact with my audience through a medium where I began my career as an actor years ago.”

STAR had been in talks with Bachchan for the third series of the show but these fell through. The second series had to be cut short due to Bachchan suddenly falling ill. There were also talks between STAR and Junior Bachchan – Abhishek, but he was unavailable due to his hefty workload.

The new Shah Rukh Khan ��Kaun Banega Crorepati�۪ will air from January-end on STAR Plus.