Who does not need money to have an improved livelihood, better future for the offsprings and overall, to overcome miseries of life in a materialism dominated world ?
Economics tells us that wants are unlimited but means to satisfy these are limited. However, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) is an easily approachable forum which enables viewers to fulfill their dreams and long suppressed aspirations in a fast, short cut way. Nonetheless, its a time consuming mechanism. Many people have termed it as a GAMBLE . I may be wrong but be permitted to submit that it is a knowledge and presence of mind based gamble.
TAKE OFF STAGE
Based on the theme of a Western T.V. show-Who WantsTo Be A Millionnaire ?, Kaun Banega Crorepati was conceived and launched in 2000. It picked up momentum and reached the' Take Off ' stage in no time. Anchored and conducted brilliantly by Amitabh Bachchan(Big B), it could appeal to the sentiments of aspiring individuals of middle and lower middle classes.While persons from myriad backgrounds dominated the show in its formative years, housewives, couples, small time shopkeepers and students preparing for Civil Services fire the shots now. It became so popular that other programmes fell apart and KBC became as popular as mega hits, Ramayan and Mahabharat.
In addition to benefiting the audience, through it Big B managed to recover his losses and broke a myth that those excelling on large screens, have the wherewithal to dominate 'Idiot Box' ALSO.
QUESTIONS, SIMPLE & DIFFICULT
Questions and visuals are chosen carefully by one and only Siddharth Mukherjee of Quiz Time fame.To begin with, a few are purposely kept easy. Semi- difficult ones surface after a participant settles down on 'Hot Seat', while really difficult one's are asked by the invisible Computer 'Gee' while moving towards the range of Rs.6.40 Lakhs to Rs.50 Lakhs.Some offer to QUIT, in view of fear or possibility of coming down to the level of Rs.3.20 Lakhs.Perhaps only two participants have been able to reach the 'Semi-Finals 'of Rs.One Crore during the current highly competitive season.
WATCH KBC, UNWIND STRESS
For one and a half hours during Prime Time on Sony T.V. from Monday to Friday, viewers get completely glued to their T.V. sets to unwind stress & strain of a day.So to say, people get tempted and addicted in the same way as two mythological hits in the past as indicated above.
No other force can distract their level of concentration or else there would be quarrel in the family.
EARN AFTER STUDYING HARD
Those who manage to occupy the Hot Seat leave the show upon earning reasonable sum of money.It can be between Rs 3.20 and Rs.25 lakhs.A few only, however, have climbed the ladder to try their luck for a kitty of Rs.One Crore.Those earning Rs.12.50 lakhs or Rs.25 Lakhs are quite a few.But most popular sum won, show after show, happens to be Rs.3.20 Lakhs.
WHOLESUM ENTERTAINMENT
Apart from providing viewers with a much needed financial boost, the immensely popular show running for 25 years in a row gives everyone wholesum entertainment, to my mind, more than a feature film or selected T.V. serials.
Viewers cry, sob, smile, giggle, laugh and at times, get momentary sadness, but are never deprived of useful lessons and tips to better their financial condition or resolve their conjugal lives.A large number of participants have indulged in its preparation for fifteen to twenty to twenty five years.Even if you lose fairly early, you don't get dejected as Big B's charm, charisma and positive attitude enables you to think ahead and straightforward in the event of a failure.
TEARS OF JOY
Young girls and women mostly cry on reaching the hot seat. At times, men too resort to it. Big B is ever ready to offer minimum three napkins and a glass of water to help them get rid of their tears of joy.
Handling of Big B is such that he allows participants to be comfortable and even indulge in poetry and acedes to their request for reciting a few lines of his illustrious father's poems as also what he has penned in the bygone era.When also requested to speak out diologues from his hit movies, he obliges with a smile or laugh.The word 'NO' does not exist in his dictionary.Not only he listens to participants attentively but he also looks thoroughly engrossed.
He extends a helping hand in looking for solutions to their vexed issues.
HOUSEWIVES TAKEN SERIOUSLY
Life is not easy for housewife aspirants, for, they have to study for the show while cooking, performing their tasks to supplement family income, looking after kids, managing water supply and cooking gas ,listening to tantrums of husband's, responding to Cell calls or attending to other dimensions of household chores. And majority of the winners are found to have discontinued their studies after completing only school education. However, answers coming from this strata of society is simply impressive, rather, amazing.
FEW STAR PERFORMERS
An analysis of KBC may be inconclusive unless behaviour patterns, both reflecting joys and sorrows, are highlighted.
An attempt is being made to mention a sample of interesting & contributing participation of 12 coveted 'Players'.
a) Topmost among them was Mrs Alokika Bhattacharya from West Bengal, who floored even Big B with her giggles, replies and her first time experiences of a flight and stay in a big hotel. She provided wholesum, jovial entertainment and won Rs.12.50 Lakhs.Though she was selected as an ICDS Supervisor, in view of her intelligence, she deserves an officer's chair.
Prize money will be used for son's higher education and owning a house.
b) Next person is Mrs Pankajini, a 50 year old Mother-in-Law from Cuttack.With little education, she is successfully running a Medicine shop.To repay a house building loan, she was trying for KBC for many years.Mostly, she would study while selling medicines. She won Rs.12.50 Lakhs.
c) Mintu Sarkar, a 10th class drop out Tea Seller from North Bengal impressed everyone by winning Rs. 25 Lakhs. His Tea shop would fetch a meagre sum of Rs.3000/ per month which was insufficient.For many years, Mintu dreamt of being on KBC.When he finally got a chance, he stayed focused and went on to win Rs. 25 Lakhs.
d) Mrs Punam Gupta from Delhi and wife of a Plumber having 4 children, impressed all by her fantastic knowledge. She went on to win Rs. 12.50 Lakhs which was to be utilised for buying a house and an electric sewing machine. Big B called her a RARE individual.
e) Rituraj, a young focused man from M.P. impressed Big B as he gave an excellant and unusual show. His quick responses could secure a kitty of Rs.25 Lakhs which will help him in taking his father(having a menial job) to see many places of interest.
f) Jaspal Singh, a Lab Assistant from a Punjab village also put up an impressive show. A fairly high Prize money will enable him to keep aside drudgery of his sweet maker father and both of them plan to undertake a ' Bharat Darshan'.When people like him reach the TOP, one feels very elated.
g) Arun Singla, a handicapped Assistant Manager of Punjab & Sindh Bank from Punjab was one of the most meritorious and impressive participants, who was a living symbol of dedication and diligence.With his sister's help, he managed to win Rs.12.50 Lakhs. Big B presented him a perfume bottle.
h) Ghanshyam, another poor man, having 10th pass qualification from Mumbai made it to KBC after trying for fourteen years. A mobile banana seller, his knowledge was newspaper based. Big B remarked that the way he responded, he displayed a lot of self confidence.As he and his parents were living in pathetic condition, the kitty of Rs.6.40 Lakhs will help them in overcoming many problems.
i) Rajni Barnala, a private Tutor whose husband was a Software Engineer, won Rs.1.60 Lakhs on account of her appreciable knowledge and confidence.
j) Mrs. Neeraj Giri, a Software Engineer from NOIDA by her active participation made the show very hillarious. She did not hide her advanced Pregnancy, rather, she sought advice of Big B on child care. A make up freak, she won Rs.12.50 Lakhs.
k) Anu Kumari, a confident C.A.student from Bihar who manages family with her Delivery Boy brother, is a Creative Writer cum Madhubani painter.Cheezed off by her drunkard father, she studied hard which enabled her to win Rs.3.20 Lakhs.
l) Kaushalendra, a Coalmine worker from Jharia, made it to 'Hot Seat' due to hard work of 24 years.His going upto target of Rs.12.50 Lakhs was outstanding, so was his fantastic sense of humour, said Big B.
QUALITIES OF A GOOD HUSBAND
Before concluding, since we are essentially a family based country, I will fail in my task if I donot mention three categories of husbands, emphasized excellantly by one working woman participant.
FIRST category simply attends office without extending any help to wife.
SECOND category includes husbands who leave for office after attending to domestic works 'assigned' by wife.
THIRD category divide household works equally with working wife, before proceeding to office.
HOPE AT THE END OF TUNNEL
KBC has proved to be a very popular forum and a MATCH WINNER that enables common man in fulfilling their dreams. Stage of this knowledge based programme provides genuine sportsmanship. Big B, being completely engrossed ,gives more than adequate support and respect to each participant. He puts it this way : "Disappointment of one individual leads to tears in the eyes of every participant.It is not only knowledge forum, emotions are also put to test. Hearts are won over here".
Viewers who do not participate, certainly satisfy their curiosity and add to their knowledge, sharpness, concentration and presence of mind. In totality, it is an exercise in healthy entertainment.
May be, one day many other young and old aspirants will also occupy the elusive 'Hot Seat' and manage to have the privilege of an intellectual intercourse with the veteran actor and living 82 year old legend of Hindi Cinema.
