Show review: KBC 9 – An escape from daayans, drama & dead wood

Popular game show, ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ (KBC), returned to the small screen on Sony Entertainment Television for its ninth Season on Monday, August 28, 2017. Back after a hiatus of three years, the show has lost none of its appeal, charm and plethora of heart-touching and motivational real life stories. 

In retrospect, when I look at the fare doled out by our Hindi GECs today, I cannot recall one show that is based on spreading knowledge and is fun at the same time. Although there are several shows that test our patience, our incredulity levels with bizarre, regressive and exasperating plots. 

The most favourite element of ‘KBC’, of course, is host Amitabh Bachchan. He is as gracious as ever in his interactions with the contestants, the way he introduces them to the audience, and the way he conducts the entire proceedings and the way he also shares his philosophy of life and experiences as a Bollywood superstar. 

Episode 1 of ‘KBC 9’ started with a short introductory film which was followed by Bachchan reciting a poem –

“Prashna Jo Sahastra hai,
Ulhanao Se Grasth hai,
Rahe Tu Inse Drasht Kyun,
Tera Jawab Bramashtra Hai.
Paristithi Prachand Hai,
Saro me jo Ghamand Hai,
Kare voh Khand Khand Kyun,
Tera Jawab Dharamdand Hai.
Jawab hi voh Jwaar hai,
Jiski Shaktiyaan apaar hai,
Jhuke na yeh samaj kyun,
Tera Jawaab hi Prahaar hai.
Yeh manch ek darakht hai,
Jo gyaan se sashakt hai,
Utho, utho vilambh kyun,
Tere jawaab ka yeh waqt hai.” 

Several changes have been made in the game’s format in ‘KBC 9’, which are in keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push towards a Digital India. The earlier lifeline of ‘Phone-a- Friend’ has been replaced by ‘Video-a-Friend’ this season. A new lifeline – ‘Jodidaar’ – has been introduced, where the participant can bring along a partner with him/her on the Hot Seat for guidance. Upping the excitement quotient, a jackpot question of Rs 7 crore has also been introduced, which is a do-or-die deal, where all the remaining lifelines of the contestant will get terminated. 

Moreover, instead of an over-sized cheque being presented to the contestant, the prize money will be transferred digitally to the winner’s bank account through Axis Bank digital banking. 

In this season, a timer will be running till the contestant reaches the prize money of Rs 320,000, which makes for a fast-paced game show. 

Also, this season ‘KBC’ will not have any film promotions on the set; instead real-life heroes from different walks of life will be invited on the show every Friday. 

Season 9 had a teacher, Saroj Verma, as the first contestant. She won a total of Rs 10,000 as prize money.