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A day after Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan confirmed he will be hosting the fourth season of the hit television show, Kaun Banega Crorepati? (Who Wants to be a Millionaire?), controversy has already reared its ugly head.

Sources say the news has not gone down well with Indian film actors Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan for two very different reasons

Sure, confident, lock kiya jaaye?" These words in Amitabh Bachchan’s resounding voice will be heard on TV once again with the megastar all set to return with the fourth season of the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). 

"I am glad to be back with Kaun Banega Crorepati. It is always a great pleasure to be associated with BIG Synergy," Amitabh said. 

This time around, KBC4 is moving away from its regular Star TV platform and will be showcased on archrival, Sony Entertainment Television instead. While the latter is reaping in the publicity for this network coup, news has also filtered out that Sony is placing its other popular reality TV game show, Dus Ka Dum (Power of 10), on the backburner to focus solely on KBC4. 

Based on the British show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Kaun Banega Crorepati created history when it was first launched on Star Plus in 2000 with Amitabh as the host. He returned with the second season in 2005, after which superstar Shah Rukh Khan took over the baton in 2007. 

Now, Big B, as he is popularly known, is back to charm the audience. 

"The language and the typical words that I used in the second season will be the same. There will be no changes in that regard," Amitabh said. 

Channel officials, however, said there would be "many changes" in the format and process of the show, details of which would be divulged at a press conference later. 

Said Ajit Thakur, business head of Sony TV: "The audition process will be more elaborate and this time the first 10 contestants will be chosen through an on-ground event where Amitabh-ji will engage in a video conference and ask questions." 

The channel is confident that the audience will come back to see the show because they have "retained the three pillars of the show". 

"The three pillars of Kaun Banega Crorepati are intact. The money - Rs.1 crore - is still a life changing amount for many common people, the knowledge on the show is still useful and of course, Amitabh Bachchan and his presence will always draw audiences. That's why people will still see Kaun Banega Crorepati," said Thakur. 

The phone lines for the new season will open in August. 

old kbc....

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