The Hindu Business Line : <I>KBC</I> may be back on air in next April

STAR Plus is expected to begin airing the remaining 85 episodes of popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) from April next year with Amitabh Bachchan back in the hot seat. While the programme format will remain the same, some new features, such as increased participation of viewers via SMS, will be added, the Chief Operating Officer, Mr Sameer Nair, said here.

"We have about 85 episodes still to be completed with Mr Bachchan as per our contract. We are required to begin shooting with him in April," Mr Nair said. Viewers who are able to answer correctly questions being asked on the show through SMS will be able to earn 10-20 per cent more than the value of the particular question, he added.

The channel had originally signed the deal for airing 390 episodes of KBC with Mr Bachchan, of which 305 were telecast before December 31, 2001. Mr Nair said the remaining 85 episodes are expected to be spread over a six-month period with four episodes per week.

On whether the company had nominated directors to the Board of Balaji Telefilms after acquiring 26 per cent equity in it, Mr Nair said no decision has been taken as yet. He also said that even after Star acquired equity in Ekta Kapoor's company, she was free to do programming for other channels.

Mr Nair said Star was looking at launching one new serial a month on Star Plus and the company at present has seven programmes from the Balaji stable. He also announced the launch of two new serials on Star Plus Karma - Koi Aa Raha Hai Waqt Badalney and K.Street Pali Hill, both made by Balaji Telefilms.

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