Television is often talked and perceived as the medium predominantly patronized by women and that they have the control on the remote. Even the TAM data substantiates this. Only those television channels and programmes do well which cater largely to the women audience and hence serials are more successful and sought after, among all genres of programmes.
But the best and the everlasting is always exceptional and since it is the best, it surpasses all notions and assumptions. Undoubtedly, KBC is the only one which substantiates this view point. KBC is a genre by itself and hence it does not come under any existing stereotype genre or understanding. The show has reality, drama and competition and is also very filmy sometimes. Most of us know what impact KBC made when it was launched in 2000. It formed the collective consciousness of india and everyone was talking about KBC everywhere and most of the times. . Movies in the theatres got affected, all television programmes went for a toss and all of India got united in aspiring to be part of this programme. One crore was gettable and meeting Mr bachhan was a dream come true.. The chance was seen as accomplishment of life dreams as one crore meant a lot. There are hundreds of successful stories and hundreds of sad stories too and millions of opportunity lost.
We then saw 2 more seasons ... Channel tasted success partially and people got used to it and so it lost the sheen and excitement. Then came the recent series and people had their doubts. A show on quiz for 90 minutes and 5 crore ... Someone else wins and we watch it.... not a very invalid thought process.. But such apprehensions and doubts proved totally wrong.. The latest is not only a huge hit but has got back channel Sony to Number 2 position and is consistently no 2 programme on all india basis.
5 days a week, and every day is 90 minutes.... Trust me, its difficult to go away during breaks, we hesitate to go to wash room during question gaps, nor do we want to take a phone call... Just keep it on for 2 minutes and you are sure to get glued for one hour and 30 minutes. Its Amitabh all the way.. His care for the people causes, concern for their conditions, connect to their living ways, empathy, understanding, spontaneity, presence of mind and host of hundred feelings and realities make this show a huge hit.
The information that AB uses about contestants is very engrossing and he makes us feel as if the player is one of our family member and that he or she should not loose. He brings the aspect of wanting to win for home, for marriage, for education, for charity and for just simple livelihood. How he connects with the absolute common Indian is a research subject. His smile, his utter sincerity in his eyes, his most warm body language, his movements, his pauses and many inexplicable feelings of him brings moist in the eyes and throat gets choked. Yes we are sure to cry with his very soothing words and expressions.
He wants people to genuinely win the prize and wants to see them happy. He resonates with their feelings and reverberates with their needs.. How it is possible to be so empathetic is always a wonder... There must be a total sense of accomplishment and absolute complacency in him. Not to miss humility and authentic understanding of the common man. He makes us feel that there is a common Indian conscience and that we could naturally and easily feel for the co human and want others to be happy. It is these qualities which have made him what he is .. Let us also not forget his huge health setbacks and his successful fights to come back. Life was never easy for him and he comes across as the most concerned family head for all Indian families. This is very touching when caring for the other is a rare occurrence and when concern is manufactured and when empathy is all about business like.
KBC makes me strongly convinced that the great and the greatest cannot be what they are, unless they have tremendous qualities of a great human. Let us not talk about exceptions here... Good human makes good success and good success brings great quality in all work that happens and that leaves a mark... Amitabh is the greatest show man that India can ever have and its not KBC but Amitabh which makes the difference or else other stars, in other languages would have tasted some bit of success.
I salute this great Indian who has made a great impact in millions of people like me.. Sometimes i wonder if growing up watching his movies had a great impact or watching and understanding him on KBC has greater impact. For once i want to live in wonder and do not want an answer.
superb observations sir.
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