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The comparisons between Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan on KBC were inevitable. What has been unexpected is the biased manner in which these comparisons seem to be happening.
According to the market research information released by TAM, the first episode of KBC's season 3, compared by Shahrukh Khan had a TRP of 12.33. This is being compared to the first episode of of the second season of KBC when Amitabh Bachchan hosted it which had an opening of 19.75. Comparisons are also been drawn to the rising graph of KBC during the first three episodes broadcast in the year 2000. This is where the bias comes in. KBC was a new concept then with no precedent of a game show that awarded millions of rupees. This was largely responsible for the frenzy. The second season of KBC was relatively lack lustre. If any comparisons have to be drawn they should be with the last episode of KBC's second season hosted by Amitabh Bachchan and the first episode of the third season hosted by Shahrukh Khan. This would then reflect the boredom of the viewers with Bachchan.
Replacing Amitabh Bachchan isn't something new for Shahrukh Khan. About a year ago, in January 2006, ICICI dropped Bachchan and got SRK to endorse their products. This was a month after Bachchan's solo starrer 'Ek Ajnabee' had a disastrous opening and flopped miserably.
The general perception is that Amitabh's fan following is more among the 30 plus age group while Shahrukh Khan has a universal sway with more fans in the younger age group. Amitabh's biggest hits were in the seventies and eighties when the twenty year olds of today weren't even born and with time, his popularity is declining rather rapidly.
On his part, it has been hard for Bachchan to face reality. He's denied even watching the new KBC with Shahrukh Khan.
The presence of a pompous temperament is being felt. When asked if the brand value of his family including soon-to-be-bahu Ash was an estimated 700 crores, Amitabh was quoted in The Times of India as saying, 'It's much more than that'. He also said he looked forward to doing new work so Shahrukh Khan had more to copy from.
Amitabh's closeness to the Sahara group is well known and their TV channel, Sahara One has announced a take off on KBC 3, titled, 'Kaun Banega Champu' that will have Sunil Pal playing 'Ruk Ruk Khan' and mimicking Shahrukh Khan. This, some believe, is in bad taste.
Whatever happens, Shahrukh Khan is here and Bachchan will have to deal with him. There's no wishing him away.
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