If Kamala Harris can wear sneakers to work, why can’t Amitabh Bachchan in KBC?

We’ve grown accustomed to his face, craggy features, moist eyes, and strength in that commanding voice. We look forward to our elderly young man bidding us 'Shubhratri'.

Amitabh Bachchan in KBC | YouTube

Why is Amitabh Bachchan wearing white gym shoes with a bow tie and dinner jacket? And why is he running into the studio like he’s in a hurry to get somewhere?

Most puzzling. Because, as loyal fans of KBC know only too well, he’s already where he’s meant to be — and has been for 15 years: Sitting in the swivel chair of the host, opposite the contestant in the hot seat of Kaun Banega Crorepati.

So, why is he jogging in at the beginning of each episode alongside the latest participant?

Well, your options are: A) He can’t wait to begin the show; B) He can’t wait to be done with the episode; C) He’s trying out his new pair of shoes; and D) He’s showing us that although he is 81 years old, he can still keep up with young people.

If you opt for D, you’ll probably hit the jackpot prize of Rs 7 crore.

There’s an alternative, although much less satisfying explanation: It’s just a publicity stunt. If United States presidential candidate Kamala Harris can wear white sneakers to work, why can’t Big B?

“Deviyon aur sajanon (Ladies and gentlemen)”, welcome to Season 16 of the quiz show KBC with Amitabh Bachchan. Know this: His zest for the show is undiminished. He has the energy levels of ‘Monster’ or a ‘Red Bull’ just as he did when he first appeared on the Indian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire when it made its debut in 2000.

Indeed, he’s even more full of life than before, if that’s possible — it’s almost as if he feels the need to convince us that he’s still the star performer he was all those years ago. Well, he’s succeeding: KBC is a winner, largely because of him.

And don’t they just love him: Watch the public glow as soon as he appears on stage. And no, it’s not just because of the studio lights. See them clap so hard their palms might fall off — yes, they might have been instructed to do so by the producers of KBC, but the applause still has a ring of sincerity to it.

And, why not ask viewers at home? If they’re anything like me, they are delighted to be seated at their screens, for the hour of each episode, furiously competing with the contestant to answer the questions. And to enjoy Bachchan’s banter in between.

It is a treat. He anecdotes, jokes around, shares the contestant’s feelings and in his eyes, there’s empathy. Remember the great actor he is. Much of this is pre-planned, but it doesn’t matter – we play along in anticipation of the next pause or expressionless look…

On the hot seat

Bachchan couldn’t have done this on his own: He requires a cast of good co-stars and has found them in the eager-beaver contestants. This year, too, we have a lineup of intelligent, engaging, and winsome characters from all over India. There’s Utkarsh Baxi, bursting with self-confidence and boasting of an enviously melodious music talent. He thinks “arranged marriages’’ are like the cricket World Cup. Go figure…

There’s Raghavendra, the Sanskrit scholar, and motorcycle junkie. He has zoomed across India on his bike. Did you meet Vishnu Achyut, a young man who dreams of joining ISRO—he was cruising along the quiz until he was halted in his tracks by a question from racing: Which driver in Formula One had a father who also raced? Go look it up…

Or, what about Nareshi Meena from Sawai Madhopur? Bachchan called her ‘Naresh’ – a common mistake, Nareshi said. She works to promote government schemes for women. She has a brain tumour. She has no real interest in getting married but is convinced that “misfortune’’ will befall her. And she won Rs 50 lakh at KBC. Wow.

Made it needlessly complex

As for the format of the show, well, that’s questionable. Old timers, aka  KBC’s loyal audience over the years, liked the simplicity of the basic structure: 15 correct answers to win Rs 1 crore. That’s changed to 16 answers for Rs 7 crore, something achieved only once thus far.

There were three lifelines to help contestants – and that was that. Now, however, there are all kinds of new elements. Like ‘Super Question’—which gives you superpowers to double your earnings for a correct answer of your choice. Phew. So besides trying to get the right answer, you have to remember to press the ‘Super Sawaal’ buzzer.

Then, there’s ‘Super Sandook’ – a rapid-fire round of 10 questions. Answer five rightly and the money goes into your bank or can be used to regain a used lifeline.

As if that’s not enough, we drive through India, looking for people to ask their questions. Plus, as of episode 11, after the Fast Finger First question, the two contestants with the fastest correct answers will feature in a knockout round to decide who goes to the hot seat.

Individually good features combined have made a perfectly straightforward Q&A needlessly complex.

Shubhratri, shubhratri, shubhratri

You might ask, why does Amitabh Bachchan continue to go through what must be a punishing schedule? It must take so much out of him — his films (Kalki has just been released), TV commercial shoots, and his TV or live appearances besides KBC.

He is still the most visible actor around—he looks down at you from billboards everywhere, and no TV programme is complete without an advertisement featuring him. He has represented some of the biggest brands in India: Maggi, Emami, Dabur Chawanprash, Tata Sky, Kalyan Jewellers, Navratna Oil, Gujarat Tourism, Mankind, Reid & Taylor, Amway, upGrad, JustDial, Flipkart, TVS Jupiter, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Cycle Agarbatti, FirstCry, Tanishq, and many more. With KBC, see him in IDFC TVC.

According to his financial returns, along with his wife Jaya Bachchan, he has assets worth Rs1,578 crore. He owns 17 cars.

Is it money that drives him so? Or is it that performing comes as naturally to him as breathing? Like time, he just keeps ticking along.

Whatever the reason, we’ve grown accustomed to his face, craggy features, moist eyes, and strength in that commanding voice. We look forward to our wise, elderly young man bidding us “Shubhratri, shubhratri, shubhrati…’’ with folded hands.

And the sneakers.

The author tweets @shailajabajpai. Views are personal.

(Edited by Humra Laeeq)