Calls to nowhere -- KBC now stands for kaise banenge crorepati
RAJENDRA KHATRY

NAGPUR, JULY 23: Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) on Star Plus is giving heartbreaks to most of its fans in Nagpur. Those dreaming of turning millionaires through the show complain that the four phone lines meant to contact the programme are engaged thoughout the day and the night.

Frustrated after umpteen attempts, many people have simply stopped trying.Prakash Dhoble, a KBC aspirant, says, ``I wasted two days trying to get any of the four numbers, but they were busy all the time.''

Mohan Pokle says he has lost heart after trying the numbers for days on end. ``I have not been able to cross even the first hurdle. I wonder if I can ever participate in the actual show,'' he says.

Kiran Mehta, another aspirant who would love to be face to face with Amitabh Bachchan even if she cannnot win any money, is dejected. ``The phone lines are never free. I have little hope,'' she says. Reports from other parts of the country are the same -- the phone lines are inaccessible.

But the frenzy is yet to die -- for every person who gives up, there are 10 new aspirants. The number of calls received by the organisers is mind-boggling. From May 27 to 31, more than 31 lakh calls were reported, with an average of around two lakh calls per day from across the country.

Suresh Joshi, a young executive, feels the programme simply favours people from the metropolitan cities. ``Most of the participants are from the four metros whose numbers have been given. If a small-town guy wants to participate he has to spend on STD, while participants from the metros make local calls. This is discrimination.''

But then, there are still hopefuls. Like young college student Romi Gupta, who says she will keep trying. ``Meeting Amitabh will be a lifetime achievement. The prize money is an added attraction.''

Based on similar hit mega shows in the West, the KBC offers Rs one crore to anyone who can answer the 15 questions put forward by host Amitabh Bachchan. To enter the show, it is necessary to get in touch with the organisers through any of the four contact numbers given. According to the format, 100 people are randomly selected from the callers around the country by producer Siddhart Basu and his team of quizzers.

Ten are shortlisted and flown to Mumbai with a partner. The winner of another round of questions faces Amitabh. No one has managed to hit the jackpot and become a crorepati as yet, the best bet being Ramesh Kumar Arora from Delhi who walked away with a cheque of Rs 25 lakh.

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