Khan' as host

New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) After a gap of almost a year, the ''two crore question'' will be beamed on television screens across the country again! It will be a youthful and light-hearted ambience that will greet the participants of the 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' as the third edition of the most popular and famous game shows on Indian television, goes on air on January 22 with the charming and effervescent Shahrukh Khan as its host.

For one, the famous baritone that marked superstar Amitabh Bachchan's interactions with the contestants of the KBC will be replaced by the youthful effervescence and friendly banter of the ''King Khan'', as Shahrukh is lovingly known in film circles and among millions of his fans across the country and abroad.

Reflecting the light-hearted feel and the casual air that will mark the show in its third edition is a slick music video to be telecast just before the beginning of the show, to be aired Mondays to Thursdays every week at 2100 hours.

Titled 'Kar Le Kar Le tu Ek Sawaal', the music video, which features Shahrukh himself, has been conceptualised, directed and choreographed by famous choreographer-turned-director Ganesh Hegde.

The musical score for the video has been done by the famous music director duo of Vishal Shekhar.

Infact, the video, coupled with the slick promos of the KBC being aired on various channels of the Star network, is an effort to give a distinct youthful feel in keeping with Shahrukh's entry as the host of KBC which, till now has been synonymous with the 'larger-than -life' persona of Amitabh Bachchan.

According to Vishal, the music video, the teasers of which will go on air soon on Star Plus, is meant to give the TV viewers a feel of the show.

''The music video completely reflects Shahrukh Khan's inimitable style - his effervescence, his youthful fervour and his ability to put people at ease with his disarming candour,'' Vishal told UNI.

''On a basic level, it is meant to be the hook with which to grip the television viewers to the programme,'' he said.

While refusing to draw any comparisons between the Big B and Shahrukh as hosts of the popular game show, Vishal said, ''I have myself been a great fan of Amitabh Bachchan and feel that his presence cannot be replicated''.

At the same time, I would say that Shahrukh brings to the programme a newness and freshness in that his presence imparts a light-hearted feel and a casual air to the game show, allowing the participants to be at ease. This is in sharp contrast to Mr Bachchan's larger-than-life presence as host of the show. Infact, this is the idea that is sought to be conveyed to the viewers through the music video.'' A peek into Shahrukh's ability to put the contestants at ease with his infectious effervescence and friendly banter was on show during rehearsals for the show earlier this month which saw a few stern-looking, quiet and serious army jawans who had come to rehearse with SRK for the show at his home Mannat open up in no time due to the 'King Khan's enthusiastic, warm, magnetic and approachable demeanor. The somber army personnel, who were barely audible in the beginning, were soon laughing and participating excitedly in the game.

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