Are celebs asked simpler questions on KBC? Siddhartha Basu finally answers the million-dollar query

Siddhartha Basu rose to fame by hosting shows such as Quiz Time, Mastermind India and University Challenge, and as producer-director of shows such as Kaun Banega Crorepati, Dus Ka Dum, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and India's Got Talent.

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When asked if the makers gauge a participant’s mind space and ask them a tough question if they are on a winning spree, Siddhartha Basu said that such things never happen. (Image: Siddhartha Basu/Twitter)

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Quiz master and TV producer Siddhartha Basu, often referred to as the “Father of Indian television quizzing,” has addressed a long-standing curiosity in TV history: whether questions are deliberately made simpler when celebrities participate as contestants on shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).

“When celebrities appear as guests on shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati, their participation is for charitable purposes. Consequently, the questions are adjusted to be more manageable for them and are also tailored based on the episode’s time constraints. The aim would be to include as many questions as possible within the allotted duration. The audiences are generally supportive of this approach, leading to many celebrities successfully winning such shows. The primary reason for their involvement is to support charity, which is considered commendable. Even broadcasters are supportive of this concept,” Basu said during a conversation with The Lallantop.

Also read | Salman Khan is ‘dildaar’, invited entire Dus Ka Dum crew to his home for dinner when shoot ended late at night: Siddhartha Basu

He, however, noted that wins are not always certain even in such scenarios. “There have been instances when celebrities faced major falls.”

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Basu rose to fame by hosting shows such as Quiz Time, Mastermind India and University Challenge, and as producer-director of shows such as KBC, Dus Ka Dum, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and India’s Got Talent.

When asked if the makers gauge a participant’s mind space and ask them a tough question if they are on a winning spree, Basu said that such things never happen and revealed that people have won more than Rs 200 cr in the show’s history.

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He also recalled that megastar Amitabh Bachchan was “reserved” during the first season of KBC and didn’t want contestants to ask him any personal questions.

As Bollywood’s Baadshah Shah Rukh Khan also hosted KBC, though only for one season, Basu was asked about the difference between Amitabh and Shah Rukh as hosts. He said: “Shah Rukh thinks on his feet and very witty, naturally. Attitude ke hisaab se, log Amit ji paas aate the (joins hands) pairo mein, aur Shah Rukh ko khule arms ke saath, that was the attitude (Attitude wise, people fall in Amit ji’s feet and meet Shah Rukh with open arms).”

What a time it was. The first ever real time show with smart lights, sound & computerised graphics, all improvised in the cavernous sheds of Film City with AC breaking down. Rare snap – for Synergy, Shoojit was online director, Anita was handling the back end out of Delhi https://t.co/yGpeVCJkOv pic.twitter.com/NpcJXSYFba

— Siddhartha Basu (@babubasu) July 3, 2023

He stated that while megastar Amitabh Bachchan hosted KBC with a sincere schoolboy “methodical” approach, Shah Rukh Khan was more instinctive and quick-thinking as a host.

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Basu, who produced the two seasons of Dus Ka Dum, also spoke about Salman Khan and how his genuine connect with people helped him change his image.

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