From a much-loved show, Kaun Banega Crorepati became an agenda-setting exercise.
The season 10 finale of Kaun Banega Crorepati or KBC aired Monday. Host Amitabh Bachchan got ‘emotional’ at 22:46 pm (IST) and ‘bid goodbye’ to audience and fans at 23:04 – yes, the finale was even live blogged.
The show has consistently pulled a large number of viewers over the last 18 years (with some gaps). Last year, one single episode – featuring celebrity guest Abhishek Bachchan— was watched by 37.1 million viewers.
It’s difficult to explain the charm of Kaun Banega Crorepati to someone who didn’t grow up with the first few years of the show that started in 2000.
Also read: India’s unending obsession with ‘husband-wife’ jokes, both ‘veg’ and ‘non-veg’
Those were the days when dial-up internet wasn’t fast enough to find the answers, and when judging contestants from your living room was a daily activity. You would scream out the answer before the contestants could and roll your eyes condescendingly when someone used an unnecessary lifeline.
KBC is especially important because it was a mirror to how India changed, boomed, and grew in the new millennium. If you, like me, grew up on a healthy diet of KBC, you saw how the stories of the contestants changed, and how the show interacted with these stories. We all knew a large chunk was scripted, sure, but watching a person’s life unfold (and often change) on screen was an experience. Over the years, the show tried to evolve with the times – like when it adopted the new rupee sign ₹ in season 4 (2010) – but it always came down to the basics: The image of Amitabh Bachchan walking down the stage, the giant KBC logo halo-ing him, and the iconic theme tune playing. That’s what made the experience.
And that’s the nostalgia we kept buying into. KBC has become a household name in India. The ninth season of the show apparently made close to Rs 400 crore – so we know who really did end up becoming the crorepati there.
Popular as it may be, KBC (and some might disagree here) also has a certain responsibility to its audiences. As the stage and prize money got bigger, this sense of responsibility seems to have quite comfortably evaporated. The amount of titillation, pandering, and obvious agenda-setting wasn’t just a little awkward to see, it was also dishonest and disappointing.
Also read: Stop bothering Amitabh Bachchan with questions on rape & assault. He is a busy old man
Whereas the first few seasons were actually interesting and made us somewhat knowledgeable, the show later started asking the most redundant questions to its contestants. Case in point: When Amitabh Bachchan asked, “Which one of these film stars has Alia Bhatt not yet kissed on screen?” While the question does not have any explicit slut-shaming attached to it, the implicit questioning of a woman’s behaviour was just strange and unwarranted.
The same can be said for Bachchan’s interactions with the audience and participants. The fact that he thinks wife jokes are okay to crack on national television doesn’t just make him the human rendition of every WhatsApp uncle ever, it also creates an atmosphere of permission. Think of how many people watch the venerable Mr Bachchan crack these jokes and think they’re absolutely okay. All the efforts we make towards turning around this language of subtle, gendered violence goes to waste when a behemoth like Amitabh Bachchan endorses them.
So many of us cringe every night when we hear him ask the contestants on the show: “Aap shaadi kyun nahi karna chahte hain?” What does that have to do with answering question 10 worth Rs 3,20,000? We can only wonder. The question of marriage is an especially loaded one in India, and putting someone on the spot isn’t just unfair, it’s pretty cruel.
Finally, remember how the show came under fire for allegedly acting like the ruling party’s mouthpiece? Here are a few questions asked in season 9 of KBC:
-In July 2017, Narendra Modi Become the first Prime Minister to visit which country?
-Uzma Ahmed was forced to marry a man at gunpoint. With the help of our MEA minister, from which country did she return to India?
– Which of these government schemes deals with the expansion of LPG connection to households below the poverty line?
And the strange turn an episode took into becoming a Mann Ki Baat advertisement? How can one forget the constant reminders that the digitisation of the show happened to support ‘Digital India’ – “Digital ka zamaana aa gaya hai.”
Also read: Amitabh Bachchan may be a great actor but even he can’t get Indians into toilets for Modi
The way the public discourse changed over the years is reflected in the way KBC episodes are scripted. As the era evolved into hyperbolic, grotesque masquerades, so did the stories of the contestants. Our screens were filled with stories meant to evoke pity, not pride. The videos of suffering did the show’s ratings a favour, may be, but destroyed what the show meant to a generation of people.
These complaints might be small, and they’ll probably be dwarfed by the glorious odes people will be writing about KCB for the next few days. But it’s important to realise that as your audience matures, grows smarter, and demands better, it’s the show’s responsibility to grow with them.
KBC ending will be a stark reminder that all good things come with an expiry date, and it’s important to know when that arrives. And if it doesn’t? Well, then the show ends up a lot like its host Amitabh Bachchan. A relic that manages to reinvent itself, and yet refuses to become ‘woke’.
Lock kiya jaaye?
The author is a poet.
It’s Seems every comments one can find this Bhakts of IT cell working in full capacity as election is near to create a fake atmosphere. But they don’t realise the truth is out there . At least there is an employment in these I.T cell for Bhakts rest need to learn cook Pakodas
Your article is as dumb and useless as you. Please leave this country and settle in some place with your sociopathic views or even best form one . Lunatic
One can easily knew that whole season was scripted. Contestent and their prize money was all pre decided. Now if a game show can be scripted den what else can we expect from these channels? Pathetic
This author is a shame…completely lost in his own views KBC was and is an excellent reality check for the people which gives them hope this author is biased and why not the wire and print are khangressi…
Rephrase.
Good unbiased article by the Print after a long time. One can ask Govt related questions but the amount of nonsense bollywood pandering and the past videos they show of contestants is really mind numbing. The quality of questions too has significantly deteriorated with time. It will be good if the makers actually go back to basics and concentrate on what the show stood for originally for audiences. Showcase good knowledge and also be rewarded in the process. And yes while they are at it please get a new host also if possible.
Rubbish report from rubbish the print thanks god it is not printed….. mouthpiece of khangress it may be …
I totally disagree with the writer comment on KBC, this has been one of the best reality show by far. Either the writer is too sensitive or too judgemental Mr bachan has hosted the show with grace and elegance.
The article writer is a sold out Sadist. KBC changed the way we looked at games show on TV. Amitabh Bachhan is an institution in himself and doesn’t need any certificate from a writer like him. The combination of KBC and Amitji is just perfect and scripting also is superb. Questions asked are at the level of SSC and UPSC sometimes and keeping the atmosphere light with some jokes is just fine and very knowledgeable most of the times. Top Show 100% marks.
Very nice replies by anvi and shrey and others for senseless article. We all loved this show throughly and watched together. writer seems to be totally biased.
Show is far superior/entertaining than other daily soaps/ serials.
You can always expect this LOSER type articles either from The Print or The Wire.
Author basically has only one motive “I don’t like what everyone like”. Such writers are called pathetic losers.
Have you deliberately dissed the show so that we can tell you how wrong you are and how good the show is? Playing to the gallery is par for course or else how would people who love to see political alignment every where bad mouth the show. Yep it was a pity fest but there were some brilliant contestants too. For me, the episodes with human trafficking fighters and water man of India were enough to redeem it… don’t see any people like you showcasing such personalities or reviewing the documentaries in which such personas are appreciated. Its KBC, thats why you watched it..
This is the only reason that I switched on the idiot box after a long time. In this show the general knowledge is not confined only to the questions but the whole information is given about that particular question.
And if the author is so concerned about the jokes then kindly take a look on the type of comedy shows aired. Why to be always judgemental, see it in an other way round, nothing is perfect. ☺
This year’s episode felt like the channel was just wasting time through the host by just asking stupid unrelated questions. It was so obvious that it crossed all limits of scripted programme. It was indeed pathetic. Thank God i stopped watching the programm half way through.
Author is clearly biased and intolerant. How can general questions about government be called as being mouthpiece ? In fact this news agency is mouthpiece of opposition. Shame
I agree with the author. There was an episode where the anchor actually gave the plus size contestant tips on how to make her blouses larger by adding cloth where it’s out of view. He actually gestured!!!
Cite.
Baseless article.in this way Author must raise a poi t why we study ‘chacha nehru’ and ‘rastrpita’ …..
How is that audience and the Expert advice never goes wrong? During audience poll the camera focusses on the finger pressing the correct button? The KBC episodes are pre recorded, and so the friends and relatives of the audience know the questions and correct answers before hand and therefore can score 100 % while playing along on mobile? Our sony app didn’t work well in the beginning and perfected only at the end that is just before grand finale. How can hundreds of players like Nikhat fatima the winner of the marrazo car score 100%? Why every year KBC changes the app for play along. Earlier it was JIO and this time SONY? I agree with most of the things written in the post
Duh…!
This is worst article I have read . Some people like him criticise just sake of criticising others . Please don’t post this type of idiotic articles . This person is insane . Bhai nobody can satisfy you in this world . You r most frustrated person
What so ever is your perception about the show, the jokes, the contestant and blah blah blah, I found your poor humour around it.
A question about the marriage at any point of time is for making the show related to audience and let the contestant be connected with the audience.
You relate the wife jokes with some gendered violence somewhere but you probably didn’t saw the show when Six FEMALE Indian Navy Officers came and got the respect from the show and also from the “behemoth” Amitabh Bachchan and many other instances of Mr.Bachchan respecting Women. One of the very common act I must tell you Mr. Author -Whenevercontestant come to the hot seat Mr Big B pulls the chair for her. This shows his humility.
Who so ever make what so ever money from the show, the most were for the common people.
Once You said show is evolving year by year and again you are contradicting with commenting on Digital India aspect of show by politicising it.
On what mind you wrote the article, I don’t know Sir but the show is
1- Connects to millions everyday
2- is the No. 1 reality show
3- provide the platform to gain something in life and that’s too on national tv.
Don’t be too critical Sir and enjoy the nuances.
Thank You.
Don’t know what the author of this article is doing. People are creating content (this article) just for the sake of creating one. Doesn’t matter if there is material in it or not. Just say it. We are happy with whatever money it will make cos it’s just a blabbering one has to do and post and get money in return.
What a rubbish hair splitting write up. Its a great show and will remain with Mr Bachchan being the anchor. Why do we need to become so touchy feely and sensitive. Who does not know how respectfully the host addresses women.
Anything and everything needs to be politicised these days. If a kid was taking a dump somewhere, I’m pretty sure that the author would’ve politicised that too. TV is for entertainment, we as kids back in the days knew that. But authors, media and people who are hungry for publicity take it otherwise. They use it as a medium for controversy, in anything and everything they come across. They don’t spare army, then why AB.
The level of seriously general knowledge based questions did seem to deteriorate. The wife jokes were also cracked in abundance which isn’t a welcome change. But it’s good that many renowned social workers as Rajendra Singh,Dr. Apte and others were brought on the show which might help in spreading awareness among public as it threw light on the neglected areas of life in our country as water conservation and poverty alleviation.
Then you should also target UPSC and other civil services exam because they ask similar questions which you consider as being mouthpiece for ruling part…Only one thing I liked is the question related an actress’ smooch scene..That is ridiculous…Really?..Other than that you have written bullshit..I still consider it is the best reality our country has and I hope runs for decades or centuries to come…And you people should make better use of your pen/power…You all should write about Bigg Boss and other cringy things shown on TV
Third time: UPSC analogy is False-Equivalence.
This article is complete bullshit.
People who write this article are senseless,they don’t have any idea about what should be written.
So they find a good personality,and make a good work look bad from a senseless point of view.
Dear Author- Dont be such a snowflake. We know that there were many cringy moments, but which reality show doesnt? What you find boring, 10x people find entertaining. Also ‘Ruling Party’s Mouthpiece’? Wow!! Maybe you didnt watch the episodes in which politicians from all other partys were featured, especially in the voice segments. Maybe that didnt suit your narrative.
A great article highlighting the gender inequalities in the current Indian society that continue to exist and get endorsed by a patriarch. I also agree that KBC has reduced the quality of questions and is subtly trying to support the ruling party. All this is but obvious. And this is here to stay!
Author is a sadist person who can find out sadness even in disneyland. You better stick to being a poet. Dont try to transcend into writing .This is one of the worst articles I came across. Its Full of Made up content without any logic.
I am a married female and I wasnt offended once by the wifey jokes made by AB. There is no deep philosophy behind those jokes. They were meant to be laughed at , not to ponder upon. And about politically motivated questions. Dude this is a knowledge based game show. They will ask questions from current affairs . It has nothing to do with politics. A question asked on kbc related to modi is neither going to change public opinion nor politics of india. And to update your knowledge , all competitive exams in india which are gk based ask such questions. You would have known it if u had written few exams apart from poems and shitty articles. I usually dont comment but after reading your bullshit write up, couldn’t controlled myself .
So now you blame BJP & RSS for KBC’s monotonous questions?
Superb show year do not be biased light banters take it easy man do not dampen us with such weird remarks enjoy the show you should not miss amitabh and his pulsating dedication
Totally agree with the writer. I too was KBC fan but couldn’t tolerate it till just a few episodes. Sad stories of the contestants felt scripted and episodes dramatic.
Author seems a stupid person who deliberately wants to write something. Plz don’t waste your time reading this blog.its neither informative or creative in any way.
Hey I donot agree with u….. By that logic every question asked in govt exams revolve around some govt scheme or initiative.
Don’t be too leftist adopt a central view 🙂
False-Equivalence, I don’t agree with the article but unlike the exams, the show is neither owned, nor conducted, nor even controlled by private-sector.
At least support with some good examples, if u are accusing someone XD.
Naive.
The people has evolved,the show had evolved,..it is the ladies who started talking insane,they even didn’t bother for a tight hug…is this all not insane..?
People has evolved, the show had evolved….anyway the show must go on..we egerly wait for the show every year..the overall impression is good,Sony is doing good job..keep it up Sony..we love the show….if there is any insanity Sony will take care…KBC infact is a kind of social work…love KBC..love you SONY…
The author is taking another step towards fake feminism under the garb of harassment and subtle discrimination. Showing resistance to any point which is uneasy or unpleasant and then make it an issue of social unequality is just showing how badly shaped the thoughts of author are. Pity and waste of time to read this article
Kitna rondu aadmi hai. Even I hate how dramatic the show has become. But there’s nothing wrong with husband- wife jokes. I hope we don’t bring in the PC culture into India although it is happening slowly with intellectuals like you bullying a common man. Also it is not a crime to know about my Prime Minister and the government schemes. Most importantly stop crying.
Stop overreacting
I feel the author is nit picking and talking a lot of nonsense , a bit of subtle humor or chat should not be interpretted as such. It just lightens the atmosphere of the show in my opinion. As far as being the mouthpiece of the ruling party is concerned that is like the pot calling the kettle black as print media has done this for literally decades. Morever an iconic personality like Mr. Bachhan need not be anybody’s mouth piece.
“literally decades…:” I thought The Print® was founded no earlier than mere 5 months! Add to that, “this is India” so online-journalism by.. I lost it at that one! ???????? (Way more than the “subtle humour” part.)
Mr. Writer what a bad article. I just wasted my time.
Writing for time pass. Does she actually get paid by The Print for writing about such trivial stuff? While her article may be read by no more than dozen, the show is watched by millions for entertainment and for giving centre stage to those who are working for great social causes but never get written about in The Print. So can anyone tell her to take it easy.
As long as Big B remains within written script he looks interesting and stunning but the moment he start using his own humour he looks very ordinary and irritating.
Very well written.They are choosing contestants from the lower background and showing there plight,it’s like emotional blackmail.There aren’t any intellectuals on the show. Bacchan will be cracking some rubbish jokes which have no relevance at all.When the show was first started everyone use to wait to watch but nowadays it’s not the case.I hope the show does not return again.
Are you repping BARC here?
In accordance with India’s policy, we should leave them alone. Even an innocent attempt on our part to make contact can inflict heavy damage on the tribe.
Who designates snowflakes like you to write all this crap. Anything for attention, trying to imitate American SJWs. Trash wamen.
Some people are happy when asked questions about congress and talk about congress. But if you ask or write anything about other political parties thats not digested. Author has Modifobia, need urgent diagnosis.
More than those jokes it was the relentless flattery handed out to the anchor by the participants. All scripted by Amitabh himself but duly feigning surprise. False modesty and sheer hypocrisy. Disgusting.
Shush… “Mahanayak”
Period.
A waste of time. The Karamveer Special does not allow them to win more than 25 lacs. Why these are the people doing good work n who really need the money.
How come the *Hooter* goes off the moment they win 25 lacs.
The show is totally fixed.
Not a single person on Hot Seat was from a Southern State. Surprising isn’t?
Why dies not Karnataka, TamilNadu, Kerala n Andhra Pradesh come under India ??
So to the point. Although not from South, I also sensed this inept bias towards the most efficient and hard working part of our vast nation.
They’ll say they’ve South Indian adaptations for that!
Although, are you merely talking about the Finale or..??? Because I’ve noticed contestants from South Indian origins sometimes.
In that case , civil services exam will only be a mouthpiece for ruling party too ..
Exactly
I would totally agree with you but..: Unlike ‘KBC® Hindi’, civil-services exams are not prepared, owned, or even controlled by the private sector.
Again, not that I agree with author. Just pointing-out the False Equivalence.
The author is being too sensitive and touchy ..on one hand the author is saying audiences have evolved but ,on the other hand he contradicts himself by saying that they can’t take wife jokes ….jokes can be on anyone …people who who abuse on web series or say curse words on internet they are appreciated for their humour….for god sake ….let freedom of speech prevail…..being over sensitive is also not good for our society…
Experts were mostly from Aaj Tak who knew all the answers. A crime or sports reporter would easily answer a mythological question. Looks promotion of a particular media channel.
Obviously, they don’t hide it — TV Today® (“आज तक®”) is the media-partner so..
Learn about something before speaking-up.
Also, that may not be the case going forward [due to a recent off-screen developments concerning the broadcaster].
And to add to that, “Dr DR” — आज तक® is merely a news channel. Not a whole “media channel”.
Since ‘media’ can mean many things, from audio to video to book — about everything which can either see or hear or both together.