KBC is back !! And it was announced tonight at a special press conference, which has just concluded. And yes it can be said now that I shall be hosting it !!

It must be said this press conference was one the best that I attended and I wish to compliment the entire media for their presence and the warmth that they expressed. Thank you ladies and gentleman, it was a joy to be in your company, just such positivity that you all exuded made my day night and year !

The preamble to the PC was rather humorous. I was asked to be there half an hour before the start at 5 pm for a briefing and I readily arrived at the Enigma, a club in the Marriott where the conference was to be held. Lead to an annex through the most coveted route of all celebrities when making an appearance at a Hotel complex, the kitchen, we were given a rather complicated document of the ‘do’s and don’ts’ for appearing at a PC. I wish I could reproduce it but its size and length restricts me from doing so. It was hilarious !! Time and space permitting I shall put it up. How to sit, how to behave, what to eat or not .. and on and on … pages of it …

It just set the right mood for me and then it simply flowed out into the crowded fourth estate. From then on it was an evening filled with warmth.

So its Kaun Banega Crorepati after 10 years of its first broadcast in year 2000 and goodness it all feels like it was yesterday. No one, but no one, had advised me to do it, except the Channel. But the day it started many worlds changed. Mine for sure. The Channel and all the crew had set up the evening of its first broadcast at the studio where the set was constructed, and had wanted all of us to witness it, to be followed by a celebration. I had declined. I was scared and nervous not knowing what the public would have to say about the show, about my involvement and its eventual result. I had come home and isolated myself in my office room and quietly had put on the Tv, almost not wanting anyone to hear that I was watching the program. After 5 mins of its start I put it off, unable to bear what the rest of the country was thinking about it and waited silently for it to get over. And when it did I hesitated to face the family. It was in vain though. The family, represented by Jaya had watched the entire show and when I came to her she said “Amit ji ! This show is going to be a super hit !”

‘I have never since doubted her judgement’ ! ha ha !

And there is that joke on the above - ‘Look who she married !”

KBC was and has been an extraordinary experience for me for many reasons. As we go along this fresh association we shall fill you in with some of the stories on it and around it.. BUT.. for the moment its Germany vs Spain and this is essential viewing ..

Good night dearies ..

Amitabh Bachchan