Kher to play?

Asia's richest television game show, which offers US $ 2.2 million (Rs 10 crore) begins broadcast today, Monday October 23.

Zee TV's one-hour show, Sawaal Dus Crore Ka, will be broadcast on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Reeling from rival Star TV's successes with Kaun Banega Crorepati, it will go on air at 8.30 pm.

Anupam Kher said, "I understand dreams as I have been a struggler myself. It took me a long time to make it."

Zee TV claims the satellite network had received over a 10 million calls during the eight-day period last month when it opened its lines to applications from hopeful participants.

Zee, which claims a viewership of 5.5 million Indian households, says the size of the jackpot on Sawaal Dus Crore Ka will put KBC and Amitabh Bachchan, in the shade.

Since KBC's launch on July 3, only one participant has won the jackpot. India's average annual per capita income is around US $ 226.

Zee tried to wean back its lost viewership with a game show last month, but its comparatively miserly first prize of 1,00,000 rupees just did not cut the ice.

The rivalry between Zee and Star have led to copycat gameshows on other TV channels. As also reports that Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer's Channel Nine is planning to launch its Greed game show in India.

Analysts say the success of KBC has pumped up advertising rates to such an extent that the rival channels will be able to sustain big cash awards.

AFP